Tēnā koutou,

At the heart of Rotorua Trust is our vision of a vibrant and thriving Rotorua for us all, mō tātau katoa. As trustees, we are mindful that the decisions we make today help shape Rotorua for future generations to inherit.

One of our most significant long-term commitments continues to be Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa – Rotorua Museum. It is exciting to see this landmark project taking shape and moving closer to opening its doors. The Museum is much more than a building. It is part of the cultural heart of our city and an investment in preserving our stories, heritage and identity.

Along with our investment portfolio, we continued to focus on impact investing and impact granting, including considering opportunities to invest directly into Rotorua.  This includes collaborating with strategic partners who share a common long-term vision for our district.  We are being very intentional about our decisions, seeking opportunities that will have the greatest benefit for Rotorua, its people and future generations.

Unfortunately, not every investment journey unfolds as planned. This year saw the closure of QE Health. The Trust’s loan to QE Health was made following careful consideration and extensive due diligence, recognising the important role QE Health played within our community. While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, our support alongside other partners, enabled the development of a modern purpose-built facility to replace one that had reached the end of its life. It also contributed to the continuation of important health services while every effort was made to secure the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

We remain committed to our five strategic priorities: the environment, vibrancy, strong communities, healthy families and education. At a time when many organisations are facing increasing pressures, we know the importance of supporting the things that connect us, tell our stories and contribute to the long-term wellbeing of our community and our people.

In closing, I wish to acknowledge and thank outgoing Chair Stewart Edward, alongside Trustees, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait and Gregg Brown, for their service, leadership and commitment to Rotorua. Together, they helped shape the Trust we are today.

Stewart’s leadership over three terms brought a strong focus to vision, strategy and governance, including the introduction of trustee term limits that balance continuity with renewal. Merepeka played a key role in establishing the strategic priorities that continue to guide our work, while Gregg brought valuable commercial and financial expertise to our Investment Committee. We are fortunate to be building on the strong foundations created by them and the many Trustees who have served before them.

We welcomed three new faces to the Board table in November. Tamati Coffey returned after a three-year break, joined by newly elected trustees Raj Kumar and Ngahi Bidois. Their experience and perspectives bring fresh thinking to our discussions and decision making. I would also like to thank my fellow returning trustees, Fisher Wang and Mike Keefe for their commitment, wisdom and thoughtful leadership.

Lastly, I also acknowledge Chief Executive Blair Gilbert and the Rotorua Trust team for their passion, professionalism and dedication. They are doing an exceptional job.

Together, we remain committed to making a meaningful and lasting difference for Rotorua now and into the future.

Ngā mihi nui,

Catherine Cooney MNZM
Chair
Rotorua Trust