Tēnā koutou,

As I write my final Chairperson’s report, I’m filled with immense pride because of the contribution this Trust has made to our community. Serving as Chairperson of Rotorua Trust over the past nine years has been a true privilege. Reflecting on this journey, I’m proud not only of what we, as a Trust, have achieved during my tenure, but also of the Trust’s enduring commitment to our community over more than three decades.

In 2024, we celebrated a significant milestone—30 years of the Rotorua Trust. Since its inception, the Trust has supported over 1,800 organisations and invested more than $130 million into our community. These figures represent far more than financial contributions—they reflect opportunities created, potential unlocked, and lives positively impacted across our rohe.

Throughout my three terms as Chairperson, I’ve witnessed the profound and lasting impact of community granting. The organisations we support are doing extraordinary work across education, health, the environment and community development. It is through their dedication that the true value of the Trust’s contribution is realised—whether it’s young people discovering new pathways, whānau receiving vital support, local arts and cultural events bringing us together or initiatives that are protecting and enhancing the taonga of our city. The Trust has supported initiatives that protect our lakes, rivers, flora and fauna.

The Trust’s strategy has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community, while remaining grounded in the principles that drive long-term impact, as the Trust exists into perpetuity. A key milestone was the development of a refreshed strategic plan, which brought greater clarity to our priorities and enhanced the visibility of our work. The Trust has also made a conscious effort to share more of the stories behind our grants—stories that celebrate the people doing the mahi and remind us of the power of investing in relationships and partnerships. Over the past three years, the Trust has adopted an innovative approach by using media such as online annual reporting and the showcasing of stories to connect with the community.

A particularly meaningful development has been the Trust’s move into impact investing—using the Trust’s capital to generate both financial and social returns. One standout example is our impact investment loan to Habitat for Humanity, which is helping unlock assisted home ownership opportunities for Rotorua whānau. The Trust involvement in the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund—a collaborative initiative supporting regional housing solutions—further demonstrates the strength of shared investment. Trustees were pleased to see the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund recognised nationally at the 2025 Mindful Money Awards.

The Trust has also played a pivotal role in enabling some of Rotorua’s most significant community facilities. Between 2004 and 2007, the Trust granted $16.87 million toward the development of the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. In 2018, the Trust committed $1.5 million to the redevelopment of the Sir Howard Morrison Centre, which has since become a vibrant cultural hub. Most recently, the Trust were proud to grant $15 million toward the restoration of the Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. This iconic cultural and historical landmark holds a special place in the hearts of many, and the Trustees look forward with great anticipation to its reopening and the renewed sense of pride it will bring for future generations.

The work of the Trust is made possible with the incredible people that have contributed operationally and in a governance capacity. I want to sincerely acknowledge the Rotorua Trust team sincerely—both past and present. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated professionals. Among them, Lee-Anne Thompson and Alison Perrin have each contributed over 18 and 16 years, respectively, demonstrating exceptional long-term commitment. Others, including Tony Gill, Jackie McCullough, and Melanie Short, have also made contributions that have left a legacy. Former Trustee Jo-Anne La Grouw deserves mention for her remarkable 18 years of governance, reflecting unwavering dedication. I also acknowledge Sandra Kai Fong, who has gone on to serve as Deputy Mayor of Rotorua, Tāmati Coffey, who brought strength and insight as Deputy Chair for two terms, and of course, Aunty Bea—whose presence and impact around the table were truly unforgettable.

Equally rewarding has been the opportunity to serve alongside a group of thoughtful, committed Trustees. Over the past nine years, I’ve valued the collective wisdom, robust discussions, and shared vision around the board table. Governance is never without its challenges, but our team has consistently remained focused on what is best for our community. I hold deep respect for each Trustee’s contribution.

The Trust’s impact has also been strengthened by the partnerships the Trust has built. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, BDO, Mercer, Rotorua NZ, BayTrust, our auditors, KPMG and William Buck, Noah from Makao, and Barry Lane, our external audit advisor. Your collaboration and expertise have been instrumental in helping us achieve our shared goals.

As I step away from this role, I do so with full confidence in the Trust’s direction and I want to again thank the current Trustees for their contributions over the past three years. To the staff, Blair, Kaycie, Megan and Nicola, you have been a pleasure to work with, thank you on behalf of the community.

The future of Rotorua is bright, and I look forward to seeing how the Rotorua Trust continues to elevate the positive aspirations of our people. 

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Stewart Edward MNZM JP