Here is an audio file where I explain about Little Pumpkin and the media frenzy that has ensued over the last couple of weeks.

Click Here to download. (6.7mb)

Media statement.

Intense media interest in Grace Xue, the half sister of Little Pumpkin, has prompted early announcement of a charitable trust initiated only a week ago.

The Little Pumpkin Trust will first help to build a secure future for three year–old Qian Xun Xue, (nicknamed little pumpkin because she was wearing pumpkin patch clothing when she was found).

The Trustees announced today that any additional funds will be allocated to helping other “little pumpkins” in Australia and New Zealand.

Specifically, the Trust will assist young children suddenly found to be destitute either by abandonment, accident or other causes.

Sir Roger Douglas, a former New Zealand Minister of Finance and creator of the economic reforms in New Zealand dubbed “Rogernomics,” has agreed to serve on the Trust and assist with its early establishment.

“We are carrying out Grace’s wish that some good will come out of her little sister’s ordeal,” said Sir Roger.

“Grace has impressed me with her sincerity to do something quite selflessly.”

Sir Roger said he accepted a leading role on the condition that the Trust policy was always to limit the cost of raising funds to no more than 15 cents for every dollar raised.

“ I think this level of expenditure is reasonable to most people. However, if the trust is exceptionally successful, I would expect this percentage to be considerably lower.”

He said the Trust is expected to have seven Trustees. Current Trustees who have confirmed are Grace Xue, Sir Roger and Dr Gray. Sir Roger has also since approached Jock Irvine, former chairman of he NZ Casino Authority, who has accepted.

Two Mellbourne-based trustees who confirmed their acceptance this morning, are Mr Alister Mailtand, a former CEO of the ANZ Bank in New Zealand, and Mr Harvey Parker, a former CEO of New Zealand Post.

Sir Roger said no financial targets have been set but the fund will be dedicated to small children suddenly made destitute. He said the Trustees will meet to define the beneficiary criteria of the Trust in more detail.

The first meeting of the three founding trustees was held yesterday and Sir Roger will be calling another meeting next week.

He called on all Australians and New Zealanders to respond to Little Pumpkin’s plight by making a donation to the trust

The ANZ Bank’s 700 branches in Australia are prepared to accept donations and the National Bank in New Zealand can accept donations at nay branch, as well as via a freephone number , 0900 400 00

The Trust’s website, www.littlepumpkintrust.org, also offers advice on how to donate.

Little Pumpkin Trust – Questions and Answers

Q1:  Who will benefit from the trust?
A:   The immediate sole beneficiary will be Qian Xun Xue, the 3 year old Chinese girl abandoned in a Melbourne railway station and christened by the media as Little Pumpkin.  Funds raised by the trust will be used to help ensure her well-being, to assist in her maintenance, education and advancement in life, whether she ends up staying in New Zealand or relocating to China.   Longer term, if the trust raises additional funds, our trustees envisage any funds surplus to Qian’s own needs will  be able to be used to assist any other “Little Pumpkins” in future – any children who have been abandoned or left destitute.

Q2:   Where are trust funds coming from?
A:   We are already receiving donations from around New Zealand and Australia and there is also a lot of international interest in Little Pumpkin’s situation from the USA, Canada, Britain and other countries.    So while the trust has been established specifically to help Qian, we think there is so much global interest in this case that there is potential for the trust to ultimately play a much bigger role in also helping other abandoned children.

Q3:  Are donations tax deductible?
A:   The trust is in the process of being registered, so approval has yet to be received for its charitable status. 

Q4:   Will any trustee benefit from donations?  
A:  The trustees are all voluntary and unpaid

Q5: How do donors know their donations will be used wisely for the benefit of Little Pumpkin?
A:    The trust deed specifies that trust funds can only be used for the benefit of Little Pumpkin, which precludes the trustees from making any other use of those trust funds. 
Obviously, as with any trust, there will be some administration and related expenses, but the trustees are determined to keep these to a minimum.

Q6:   Will Qian’s half sister, Grace Xue, derive any benefit from the trust?
A:   No,  the trust has been set up to benefit Qian herself, not anyone else within her extended family.   Grace has been instrumental in helping to set up the trust, and is one of the three founding trustees.  But Grace has been insistent from the outset that any trust funds raised be applied for the benefit of Qian .

Q7:   When Qian becomes an adult, will the trust funds go to her in her own right?
A:  The trust deed sets a maximum term of 80 years for the trust, though the trustees are able to shorten that term if they so decide in future.  When Qian reaches her majority, it may be that the trustees then decide she should have use of any trust funds then remaining in her own right.  However, if the trust is successful in raising significant funds, it may be that when Qian reaches her majority the trustees might then decide to apply any remaining trust funds for the benefit of other abandoned children.  In other words, the trust deed allows for a range of possible options when looking ahead 20 or 30 years or even further into the future.

Q8: Aren’t there trusts already doing this work?
A: We understand there are some very similar and we will be working closely with them. Our specific beneficiary terms will be discussed at the first Trustee meeting. We believe our criteria to be  children under 12 in Australia and NZ, suddenly made destitute by:

• Accidents
• Abandonment
• Criminal offences
      
  It is not yet determined how we will specifically help – whether it will be short term or long term support.

   
Q9: How often will you meet?
A: Trustees will decide later.

Q10: What evidence do you have of more little pumpkins?
A: We are still collecting that information. Australian and New Zealand data is assembled in different ways.

We have made contact in New Zealand with Victim Support, Child Youth and Family, Police and the Salvation Army. We expect some valid information next week.

In Australia, we have  Sydney – based people on the case. Alistair Maitland, our Melbourne –based Trustee, is involved in health services. He has advised that abandoned children in Victoria would be “no in the hundreds, but certianly in the tens” on an annual basis.

The manner of Little Pumpkin’s abandonment is statistically rare. Slightly more common are those which result from car accidents. Probably the most common reason is Parental drug abuse.

We will have more valid data in a few weeks.

Q11: What is Grace’s vision for the Trust?
A: I would like to see it still in operation long after my life and even Pumpkin’s life is over. With offices in both Australia and New Zealand.

For more information keep visiting this website and littlepumpkintrust.org

Inspired by the true events of Little Pumpkin this year.

A Trans Tasman initiative to help suddenly destitute children.

The Trustees

Sir Roger Douglas

New Zealand’s former Minister of Finance and erchitect of 1980’s economic reforms known as Rogernomics. He regularly consults and speaks internationally.

Dr John Gray

An Auckland  solicitor since 1968. His company, Insight Legal, has three offices in the greater Auckland region and employs about 20 people.   Insight Legal specialises in  Family Law, Trusts, Estates and Conveyancing and also offers a general range of legal services.
Dr Gray holds  a Bachelor of Laws (1968), a Master of Commercial Law – First Class Honours (1996), a PhD in Law (2002).

Grace Xue.

Grace is the half sister of Little Pumpkin who inspired the establishment of the Trust.

She arrived in New Zealand in 1999 at age 19, hoping to be supported by her father. This was her experience of abandonment. From this point, she supported herself in part-time work through university.

Grace lives in Auckland with her one year-old son, Edward. She has a business degree from Auckland University.

She met her boyfriend Shane, father of Edward,  soon after she arrived in New Zealand.

Jock Irvine

Jock is well known as the former Chairman of the New Zealand Casino Authority and corporate lawyer.

Alistair Maitland

Alistair is a former CEO of the ANZ Bank in New Zealand and now lives in Melbourne.

Harvey Parker

Harvey is a former CEO of New Zealand Post, the Government-owned postal company. He now lives in Melbourne.

To all media

Grace Xue, half sister to Little Pumpkin, along with Sir Roger Douglas and
Dr John Gray, will host a press briefing at 3.30pm today, to announce the
establishment of the Little Pumpkin Trust.

A media kit will be available.

Venue: Duxton Hotel, 100 Greys Avenue, Auckland. mezzanine level, (Duxton
One Room)

Time: 3.30pm today

Agenda:

Introduction from Tony
Statement from Grace
Statement from Sir Roger Douglas explaining Little Pumpkin Trust
Questions re Trust
Grace available for other commentary

Requests for individual interviews with Grace have been overwhelming - we
trust you can obtain all information from this briefing.

Media agencies, please assist in the circulation of this notice.

Business September 20: U-Parkit (3:10)

TVNZ ASB BREAKFAST DOWNLOAD

Two years ago, a Tokoroa  engineer and his mates invented a multi-car stacking system they believed would solve big city parking problems. Since then Ahu Developments has been perfecting the design of a robot car park that literally stacks cars on top of cars.  It’s called U-Parkit and it may be coming to a car park near you. 

This has been established at the request of Little Pumpkin’s half sister, Grace, Xue who lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Grace has agreed to a limited number of public interviews on the condition that people are invited to donate towards Little Pumpkin’s future welfare.

Dr John Gray, principal of the Auckland Legal firm, Insight Legal, has prepared a formal Trust Deed to receive any donations to help Little Pumpkin in her future life. This Trust will be administered by respected New Zealanders. Their responsibility will be to allocate the funds of this Trust only in the interests of Little Pumpkin and no other party or person.

Click Here to view the site