Methanex New Zealand's commitment to Social Responsibility is reflected in its social investment within the Taranaki area. The main sponsorships currently within our portfolio include the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter, Methanex Maths Spectacular, Methanex Family Fun Ride, and Duffy Books in Homes.

During 2010 and 2011 Methanex provided additional support to disaster relief in New Zealand after the Canterbury and Christchurch earthquakes.  The combined company contributions and employee donations (which Methanex matched on a 2:1 basis) were in excess of NZ$250,000. $200,000 of this amount was donated to the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust Fund which is designed to restore business independence in Christchurch, retain jobs, help businesses recover and restore community sustainability. The remaining funds were donated to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake recovery efforts.

Volunteerism is another key element of Methanex's commitment to its community.  A volunteer committee of employees oversees funding to smaller community organizations and organizes employee volunteer events and donation drives. Methanex staff are active in the local community and are involved in beach clean ups, riparian plantings to improve water quality in rivers, and other environmental and social projects.  To support employees in taking time out to get involved in the community, Methanex New Zealand provides each employee with an annual "Charity Day". This provides employees with a paid day to contribute their services to a charitable organization.

Furthering Skills Development in the Region

In 2010, as members of the Petroleum Skills Association NZ (PSANZ), Methanex NZ and other local industry piloted a new training program designed to encourage and prepare people for a career in Operations.  The program, entitled "Certificate in Process Operations (Oil & Gas)" is run by the Western Institute of Technology. A number of the companies, including Methanex have set up scholarships for some of the students in the program to cover the course fees.  The 34-week program provides both theory and practical experience and includes 14 weeks at local sites around Taranaki. The intent is to expose students to both upstream and downstream industry. Methanex's site provides critical hands-on-experience and exposure to high pressure steam and large turbines. The program is designed to be forward looking to the needs of both the community and the oil and gas sector. The program has now been through two intakes of students and Methanex is proud to have recruited some of the graduates from both the 2010 and 2011 programs as Trainee Operators.

Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
Methanex New Zealand formed its CAP in 1996. It has 12 local members from a wide variety of backgrounds including a representative of indigenous people (tangata whenua), a local farmer, a housewife, two students and a customer.

The CAP meets at least four times a year and is closely involved with a number of aspects of our business - from health and safety to finance and gas issues. The CAP chairs its own meetings and Methanex representatives attend by invitation. The CAP has brought Methanex even closer to the Taranaki community and in turn, the community has a well established mechanism for direct interaction with Methanex.