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Investing Wisely

Established in perpetuity, the Trust aims to grow the value

of the capital fund to keep pace with both inflation and

population growth in the region, without taking on undue risk.

We endeavour to ensure that the fund will be worth just as

much for future generations as it is for our communities today.

The Trust’s investments are diversified across a range of asset

classes: global equities, Australasian equities, private equity,

unlisted property, infrastructure, global credit, global fixed

interest, New Zealand fixed interest and cash. As a signatory

to the Principles for Responsible Investment, the Trust

continues to consider ways in which environmental, social

and governance issues may impact on both investments

and communities.

I am delighted to report that the Trust’s investments have

continued to experience considerable growth, returning

11.6% in the financial year, well above the benchmark return

of 9.9% for the portfolio. As at 31 March 2015 the Trust fund

was valued at over $331million. Equally pleasing has been

the rebuilding of reserves to maintain consistent levels of

donations. This has resulted in the Trust committing to a

record $11.2million donations budget for the coming year,

with $2million of that earmarked for a new Significant Capital

Projects Fund.

Donating Ef fectively

Since being formed in 1988, the Trust has donated over

$147million to a variety of projects and community groups

in our region. Approximately $7.6million of donations was

committed during the year. Donations were aligned to

our core principles of valuing and promoting community

development, valuing and facilitating community

organisations, valuing and recognising cultural diversity, and

valuing and respecting Māori as tangata whenua.

A new strategic partnership was established with Wise Trust

for The People’s Project which is addressing homelessness in

Hamilton. We have continued to support the umbrella trusts:

Sport Waikato, Community Waikato and Creative Waikato,

all of which contributed to building the capacity of the

community and voluntary sector in our region.

Significant capital project donations were made to Waikato

Community Hospice Foundation, Te Awa River Ride Charitable

Trust, Te Aroha Events Centre Charitable Trust and Waikato

District Council (for a community hall in Meremere).

The Trust also contributed to a very wide range of sports,

recreation, social service, community development, arts,

cultural and environmental groups, in every part of its region.

Tena koutou katoa –

Greetings to you all

Trust Waikato is firmly focused on its vision of resilient and

vibrant communities throughout the greater Waikato region.

In contributing to that vision, the Trust strives to invest wisely

the capital fund with which it is entrusted and to donate

effectively the proceeds of those investments to benefit

current and future communities.

Chair’s Report

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