___haere mai
welcome to our___
2025
Annual Report
Scroll down to explore how Rotorua Trust has continued to uplift and invest in our hapori.
Celebrating 30 Years of
supporting
local initiatives
Since 1994, Rotorua Trust has backed over 1,800 organisations.
We honour this milestone and look ahead with purpose.
__Leadership
Reflections__
“Throughout my three terms as Chairperson, I’ve witnessed the profound and positive impact of community granting.”
– Stewart Edward MNZM, JP
Chairperson report
stewart edward reflects on a milestone year
chief executive report
Blair Gilbert shares the progress of our strategic direction
Meet the Trustees
Six trustees govern the Rotorua Trust, each elected by voters within the Trust’s voting district every three years. The 2022-2025 trustees were elected during the November 2022 election, with the next election scheduled for November 2025.
At the beginning of each financial year, the Board sets the allocation and funding levels for each of the Trust’s priority areas. Trustees are also appointed to represent these sectors at monthly Board meetings, ensuring focused oversight and strategic alignment across all of the Trust’s priority areas.
stewart edward MNZM, JP
Chairperson
mike keefe QSM, JP
Deputy Chairperson
Spokesperson: Education
Cathy Cooney mnzm, jp
Trustee
Spokesperson: Healthy Families
gregg brown
Trustee
Spokesperson: Environment
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait
Trustee
Spokesperson: Strengthening Communities
fisher wang
Trustee
Spokesperson: Vibrancy
june 2024 marked
30
years
OF ROTORUA TRUST
With 2024 marking the milestone of three decades of Rotorua Trust, the Trust has funded over 1,800 organisations.
The financial returns from the Trust’s investments support community grants and impact investing, generating social returns.
A snapshot
OF COMMUNITY GRANTING FY 2024-2025
With $4,534,473 granted to our hapori over the past 12 months, the Rotorua Trust Annual Report highlights some of the kaupapa, events, and organisations that are creating a better Rotorua mō tātau katoa; for all of us.
stories
Rotorua Trust Supports Rotorua Mountain Bike Club’s First Response Unit
Revitalising Heritage: Rotorua Trust Visits Rotorua Museum
A Night to Remember: Aronui’s Free Matariki Drone Show Lights Up Rotorua’s Skies
Empowering Future Leaders: Rotorua Young Mariners Thrive with Rotorua Trust Support
Rotorua Trust Supports the 2nd NZ Hindu Elders Conference
Rotorua Trust’s Grant Helps EquiSucceed NZ Deliver “Joy on Horseback” to the Community
MV Rotorua II Refurbishment Boosts CoastGuard Capability
Rotorua A&P Show Celebrates Community Spirit
Rotorua Trust Supports Successful Judo NZ North Island Championships
Kai Rotorua: Cultivating Connection, Culture and Sustainability
Building Community Safety: The Reporoa Community Patrol Garage
Supporting Settlement and Success: English Language Partner Rotorua’s Commitment to Language Education
Our Operations management Team
From left to right: Megan Kusabs – Funding Manager, Blair Gilbert – Chief Executive, Kaycie O’Connor – Communications & Strategy Manager, Nicola Wright – Grants Support
Investments
A robust investment strategy underpins all we do.
Financial returns on the Trust’s investments enable the granting of funds across the Trust’s five strategic priorities.
Financial Statements
Explore the audited financial statements that underpin our community impact.