Rio Tinto, the corporate majority owner of the Tiwai Point smelter, has donated $100,000 to Invercargill Women's Refuge as part of its Covid-19 relief package.

The company said in a statement this week that while the threat of COVID-19 is currently under control in New Zealand, the consequences of lockdown are still being felt by many New Zealand families. 

These include reports of a significant rise in calls to police and support services regarding family harm.

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In recognition of these ongoing impacts, Rio Tinto had donated $100,000 to Invercargill Women’s Refuge, using funds set aside in a global programme to support communities as they respond and recover from COVID-19. 

New Zealand Aluminium Smelters chief executive and general manager Stew Hamilton said he was grateful for Rio Tinto's recognition of the impact COVID-19 has had on the local community. 

"Women’s Refuge is a very worthy recipient of this funding.”  

“Domestic and family violence prevention is an issue close to our hearts at Tiwai, and we have trained a number of employees as Domestic Violence Champions on site. 

"We recognise that COVID-19 has added significant additional stress onto families and this donation will help Women’s Refuge to provide a safe haven for families,” he said. 

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The funding is being used for a new garage to store donated furniture and other household items for families in need, a replacement vehicle, equipment to run women’s programmes, and to start a "crisis needs fund" to help women who are not eligible for welfare to get set up in alternative homes. 

Refuge Services Co-ordinator Cathy Robertson said she was very grateful for the support.

“I would really like to thank Rio Tinto for this very generous donation. It means a lot to our organisation and will make a huge difference in the work we do. 

"We expect the impacts of COVID-19 to be felt for a very long time and this funding will help many families in need,” she said.