Annual Report
2024
WELCOME TO THE ROTORUA TRUST’S 2023/2024 ANNUAL REPORT. SCROLL TO FIND OUT WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING IN 2023/2024 TO REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY’S EVOLVING NEEDS.
2024 marked
30
years
OF ROTORUA TRUST
Over the years, the Trust has invested over $130 million back into the community.
reflecting on
fy 2024
While our region has faced challenges, the Trust is here to support community-led, long-term, lasting solutions that will help us achieve our vision of a ‘vibrant and resilient Rotorua for us all’.
From the Chairperson
From the chief executive
Trustees
The Trust’s six trustees are elected by voters from within the trust’s voting district on a triennial basis.
At the start of each financial year, the Board determines the allocation and level of grant funding to each priority area. The Board also appoints individual Trustees to represent these sectors at monthly Board meetings.
stewart edward
Chairperson
mike keefe
Deputy Chairperson
Spokesperson: Education
Cathy Cooney
Trustee
Spokesperson: Healthy Families
gregg brown
Trustee
Spokesperson: Environment
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait
Trustee
Spokesperson: Strengthening Communities
fisher wang
Trustee
Spokesperson: Vibrancy
Trust management
From left to right: Megan Kusabs – Funding Manager, Blair Gilbert – Chief Executive, Kaycie O’Connor – Communications & Strategy Manager, Nicola Wright – Grants Support
Investments
Governance
Financial Statements
through grants, we support entities to achieve maximum community impact
$4.52m
invested in our community through 203 grants
With $4,521,729 granted to our hapori over the past 12 months, the Rotorua Trust Annual Report shines a light on some of the kaupapa, events, and organisations that are creating a better Rotorua mō tātau katoa; for all of us.
Financial returns on the Trust’s investments enabled granting
across the Trust’s five strategic priorities.
Healthly families
Whānau Ora
$1,341,972 invested across 48 grants to focus on healthy families
Environment
Taiao Ora
$243,316 across 8 grants relating to the environment
strengthening the community
Hapori Ora
42 grants and a total of $746,969 to strengthening our community
Vibrancy
Wairua Ora
$954,352 in making our city more vibrant through arts, culture, and sports activities with 43 grants
Education
Ako Ora
$1,235,120 across 62 grants to improve education opportunities for our young people
Our Strategy
A vibrant and resilient Rotorua for all
Healthy Families • Education • Strengthening Communities • Vibrancy • Environment
In 2023/2024, the Trust adopted a new strategic direction, which defines the areas where it believes it can address our community’s current and emerging needs.
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 enable granting and impact investing for social return. Through grants, the Trust supports organisations in making a community impact in specific areas while being responsive to emerging issues and opportunities.
The Trust has expanded on its initial step into impact investing for social return, with $5 million dedicated at the start of 2024 to Rotorua outcomes of the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. The Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund (BOPHEF) is a collaborative venture between five community organisations: Rotorua Trust, BayTrust, Trust Horizon, TECT and Tauranga City Council. Together, founding shareholders have committed $45 million to the fund to help transform lives through safe and warm housing.
impact
stories
improving health and well-being for families
Habitat for Humanity to Relaunch Progressive Home Ownership Programme in Rotorua With Support from Rotorua Trust
In 2024, Habitat for Humanity Central will relaunch a Progressive Home Ownership programme aimed at providing safe and affordable housing for families in need. Rotorua Trust has welcomed Habitat’s housing initiatives, with both a grant contributing to Habitat’s operations expenses in the rohe and a social impact investment in Habitat’s housing developments.
Storytime Project Encourages Early Literacy and Family Bonding in Rotorua
Storytime Foundation’s First Thousand Days Evaluation revealed that the initiative had positive impacts. The comprehensive assessment demonstrated improvements in key areas such as early childhood education, health outcomes, and family support.
Embracing Wellness: The Impact of Aratika’s Cancer Care Retreats
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Paradise Valley, Rotorua, Aratika’s Cancer Care, a nonprofit organisation, hosts its annual supportive cancer care residential retreats. Supported by a grant from Rotorua Trust, these retreats aim to provide a holistic approach to cancer care, offering workshops on nutrition, creative art therapy, and other educational programs.
strengthening
our community
Rotorua Citizens Advice Bureau’s Impact on the Community
The Rotorua Citizens Advice Bureau has had an impactful year, with 11,916 clients assisted. The bureau was the busiest in New Zealand, underlining its importance in Rotorua.
ROTORUA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY – A LEGACY OF CARE AND GIVING
With the assistance of funding from the Rotorua Trust, the Auxiliary supplies wool for their knitters, and they are able to provide the hospital with handmade garments such as knee rugs, bed jackets, teddy bears, and other items as requested.
Empowering Women and Single Mothers through Waahi Aroha
With the support of the Rotorua Trust grant, Waahi Aroha has flourished, witnessing significant growth in its programs and participants, thus making a meaningful impact in the community. The trust’s support has enabled Kimiora to provide essential resources, workshops, and opportunities for leadership, creating a strong network of support for women and single mothers facing various challenges.
protecting and enhancing the environment
Sustainable and Thriving Outdoor Environment Project Continued
Rotorua Trust funding has contributed to the ongoing success of the Linton Park Community Centre’s outdoor environment project. With the Trust’s support, the Centre has been able to further its mission of educating the community on sustainable food growth, using the gardens as a prime example.
Envirohub’s 19th Sustainable Backyards: Embracing Sustainability in Rotorua
In March 2024, Envirohub hosted the 19th Sustainable Backyards event in Rotorua, featuring 97 events across the Bay of Plenty. The initiative, led by Juliet, the Rotorua Coordinator, included clothing swaps, community clean-ups, movie nights, and vibrant markets, providing something for everyone to enjoy and promoting sustainable practices.
Making Rotorua more vibrant
GET KIDS ACTIVE CHARITABLE TRUST: MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH FUN AND FITNESS
Get Kids Active Charitable Trust (GKACT) was founded with a vision to create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate in a sporting or recreational activity that is meaningful to them. They have been doing just that for the past ten years, with fun activities such as the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge.
Sulphur City Steam Rollers Host Ninth Anniversary of Slam Rock
Slam Rock, a tradition that has been the highlight of Rotorua’s roller derby scene for nine years, draws in a diverse crowd of enthusiasts and newbies alike. Hosted by the Sulphur City Steam Rollers at the Southern Trust Sportsdrome, Slam Rock has evolved from a fundraising event.
improving education and employment opportunities
Empowering Rangatahi: The Impact of the Graeme Dingle Career Navigator Program in Rotorua
Receiving a grant from Rotorua Trust enabled the Career Navigator program to reach over 300 young rangatahi from Western Heights School and Lakes High School in Rotorua. Graeme Dingle’s research indicates that Career Navigator increases career self-efficacy, social self-efficacy, and employment hope and decreases social interaction anxiety.
Healthy Harold Gets New Carpet Thanks to Rotorua Trust
Thanks to support from the Rotorua Trust, the Healthy Harold Program received a much-needed upgrade with new carpeting for the classroom on wheels. This enhancement has significantly improved the learning environment for the program, providing a comfortable and inviting space for educators and students.
Rotorua Trust thanks all organisations working to create a better Rotorua
mо tātau katoa;
for all of us.
