Funding and Support for Feuerstein Training in New Zealand to Cease

The charity has been instructed to cease all funding and pro bono support for Feuerstein trainings in New Zealand, including those delivered by their commercial arm, FIE. This decision was made by the Trustees – Sir Pat Lynch and Lady Sheila Graham – and endorsed by the charity’s professional advisers: Deloitte (auditors), Bentleys (accountants), and Greenwood Roche (lawyers).

The decision followed serious concerns regarding FIE’s conduct, especially during the final courses held in Auckland, including:

• Trainees received only 20% of the materials paid for.
• Many participants were uncertificated despite completing training.
• Participants paid $250 each for course materials, but the printing and production costs in New Zealand were only approximately 10% of that amount.

Financial and Operational Impact

• FIE charged the charity a $10,000 commission for every pro bono course delivered by the charity.
• All costs – including trainer fees, airfares, accommodation, course organisation, mailing of materials and certificates throughout New Zealand, classroom hire facilitated by generous schools, and significant volunteer hours – were borne entirely by the charity.
• The charity was left to absorb the substantial operational costs and FIE’s commission.
• Over the period of 50+ annual pro bono courses, these combined factors resulted in a total loss of approximately $3 million, underwritten personally by David Gaze, for the explicit benefit of children in New Zealand.

Future Trainings

Whilst most trainers were from Europe, three Melbourne trainers also delivered the charity’s trainings – with excellent feedback from trainees.

Organisations seeking a Melbourne trainer to deliver trainings in New Zealand should contact Melbourne directly, who will liaise with Israel if required. Melbourne trainers are the charity’s recommended facilitators.

Independent Schools Victoria – Feuerstein Training Centre

Resources

The charity holds surplus materials from previous trainings and is happy to provide them free of charge to schools, teachers and parents. Requests can be sent to info@gazefoundation.org.

Summary

Given FIE’s demand for commissions on the pro bono work delivered by the charity, and the ongoing financial and operational burden, the Trustees and advisers have instructed that funding and pro bono support for Feuerstein trainings in New Zealand is no longer sustainable.

The losses could not continue, nor the 70+ voluntary hours per week Anne Gaze donated championing the Feuerstein cause.