Helping Deliver A Healthy Message To Children

WESTPACTRUST MEDIA RELEASE:

Wednesday 28 March 2001

TERM INVESTMENT OFFER HELPS TRUST DELIVER HEALTHY MESSAGE TO CHILDREN

WestpacTrust and the Life Education Trust launched a special term investment campaign today, which will give a healthy return to investors as well as sending a healthy message to New Zealand children.

The Life Education term investment offer, run by WestpacTrust, hopes to raise over $100,000 for the Life Education Trust, New Zealand's largest independent provider of health-based education for primary and intermediate school children.

Between Wednesday 28 March and Tuesday 10 April, WestpacTrust is offering a four month fixed term investment with a 6.1% p.a. interest rate. For every investment between the minimum of $5000 and $49,999, WestpacTrust will donate $10 to the Life Education Trust, with a donation of $20 for investments over $50,000.

Life Education Trust Chairman David Wale said the funds raised through the term investment will provide a big boost for the Trust's work.

"The Life Education Trust doesn't receive Government funding, so sponsorship, fundraising initiatives and community support are critical to our success. What is great about this term investment offer is it allows people to get an excellent financial return while contributing to an excellent cause. It is through public support of initiatives like this that the Trust is able to continue to educate and encourage children to respect themselves and others."

The Life Education Trust gives primary and intermediate school children positive health messages with a focus on the dangers of substance abuse. It uses a unique fleet of mobile classrooms to teach children about topics including: their bodies, building self esteem, keeping healthy, peer pressure, making decisions and respecting themselves and others.

There are 34 regional Life Education Trusts operating throughout New Zealand. Combined they reach well over 1,500 schools and 250,000 children each year.

WestpacTrust General Manager New Zealand Retail Ross Aitken said WestpacTrust is extremely pleased to be able to support the outstanding work the Life Education Trust does with New Zealand children.

"The term investment is a great opportunity for people to make money and make a difference in the community at the same time. I'm confident the public will get behind it and help the Trust by making an investment," he says. "We admire the work the Life Education Trust is doing with kiwi kids and are proud to give it our backing."

WestpacTrust has been involved with the Life Education Trust since it was first established in New Zealand in 1988. It is the national sponsor of the Trust as well as being the principal sponsor of its take home workbooks. The term investment donation is in addition to WestpacTrust's current sponsorship contribution.

The Life Education Trust concept was originally developed in Australia in 1979, where it is still operating. The programme is now run in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the United States, Hong Kong and Thailand.

A term investments investment statement is available from WestpacTrust.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Petra Mihaljevich

WestpacTrust Public Relations

Ph: 0-4-498 1279

Ph: 021 377 360

Life Education Trust contact:

David Buck Ph: 0800 145 433 or 04 472 9620

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