Giltrap Group

Driving Fossil Education into the Community: Giltrap Group and Auckland Museum

About Giltrap Group

Giltrap Group has been bringing the world’s best car brands to New Zealand since 1966. Supporting communities through sponsorship and charitable donations is a defining aspect of the company. It’s a family value instilled by founder Sir Colin Giltrap who was knighted for services to philanthropy and motorsport.

“The Giltrap Trust is about giving back” explains Trust Manager Debby Alexander. “We support organisations who are working to make a difference in the community”.

Kiako Aaron teaching tamariki the fossils programme

About Auckland Museum’s Dinosaur Discovery Programme

Auckland Museum’s Ngā Mokonui a Papa – Dinosaur Discovery programme lets tamariki explore the world of dinosaurs through storytelling, and by handling replicas of fossils, including ones found right here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

The programme connects young people to the incredible history of their land in a way that feels exciting and relevant.

The Challenge: Taking Dinosaurs into classrooms

The Dinosaur Discovery programme’s popularity quickly revealed a challenge: not all schools could travel to the Museum to take part. Many tamariki were at risk of missing out on the experience.

An Education Team member explains: “With a growing demand from schools for our outreach programmes, we wanted to work with like-minded companies to take fossil learning directly into classrooms”

The Solution: The Giltrap sponsored fossil van

When the Museum approached the Giltrap Trust with the idea of a Fossil Van, the fit was clear. A vehicle at the heart of an educational outreach programme appealed to the Giltrap Trust’s combined passion for cars and supporting communities.

“We loved the concept of bringing the museum to the community” says Shaun Summerfield, Giltrap’s GM of Group Communications. “And the idea of a fossil van made it even more exciting.”

Once the Trust saw the artist’s impression of the van’s artwork, the proposal became irresistible. “Everyone started smiling,” Debby recalls. “The artwork was so cool and interesting – it really stood out. You could picture it turning up at a school and kids thinking: wow, what’s in there?”

Our Auckland Museum team and the Giltrap group pictured with the sponsored fossil van

The Impact: Proudly supporting education that ignites curiosity

Today, the Fossil Van travels across Auckland, sparking excitement as it pulls up at the school gates. Inside the classroom, children get hands-on with replica dinosaur bones, delving deep into the fossil remains of prehistoric life.

“It’s fantastic because we all know kids love dinosaurs,” says Shaun. “And with the van, it’s actually a very modern and dynamic way to look at the prehistoric past.”

For Giltrap, the rewards have been just as meaningful. Staff are proud to see their organisation associated with such a valuable project.

“We’ve got 1,000 staff, and it’s awesome that their children or grandchildren or whanau are touched by this,” says Shaun. “There’s a real feel-good factor in supporting education and giving kids in Auckland something exciting to remember.”

Join us and make a difference

The Fossil Van shows how sponsorship at Auckland Museum can bring fantastic learning experiences to thousands of tamariki.

As Giltrap’s experience shows, “It’s about more than just a vehicle. It’s about supporting education, giving kids something exciting to remember, and knowing we’ve helped bring that to life.”

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