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5
Donating Effectively
Since its formation in 1988, the Trust has donated over
$158 million to a variety of projects and community
groups in our region. We committed approximately
$11.07 million in donations during 2015. We continue
to be guided by our 2014 to 2016 Strategic Plan.
Donations are 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.
The Trust established a new Significant Capital Projects
Fund in 2015 and earmarked $2.3 million of the donations
budget for this purpose. Eight projects were approved for
donations from the fund, worth $2.29 million in total.
Donations went to Beattie Community Trust, Hamilton
City Council, Pohlen Hospital, Te Awa River Ride
Charitable Trust, Thames–Coromandel District Council
(for two projects), The One Victoria Trust Board and Waipa
District Council.
Relationships are an important part of our work. We
recognise the value in partnering with key organisations
where there is a focus on shared values, principles and
goals. Five new strategic partnerships were established
during the year: Orchestras Central Trust, Swimming
New Zealand, Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival
Foundation, Hamilton Community Centre of Music
and Raukawa Charitable Trust.
We have continued to support the umbrella trusts –
Sport Waikato, Community Waikato and Creative Waikato
– all of which contribute to building the capacity of the
community and voluntary sector in our region.
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 the region.
The Trust Waikato Art and Taonga Collection, comprising
over 260 artworks, was donated to Hamilton City Council
for the Waikato Museum. We believe that this noteworthy
collection rightly belongs in the care of the museum, and
that our future role will be to support the museum in
purchasing important regional artworks, as and when
it is appropriate to do so.
Governing Well
The Trust has maintained its strong focus on effective
governance. Following a review of the Trust Deed in
2014/2015, a decision was made to reduce the Trust
Board from 14 to 13 trustees.
Appointments to the board are made by the Associate
Minister of Finance. During the year, Trustee Judi Muru’s
appointment ended after eight years of service.
I, Niwa Nuri, Trustee (and Chair), was reappointed for a
second four-year term. I acknowledge the commitment
of our trustees, who are responsible for approving
donations – a task they balance with growing the Trust’s
capital fund.
I express my thanks to the Trust Waikato staff. None of
these results could have been achieved without their
expertise and dedication.
I would like to make special mention of our former
Chief Executive Dr Bev Gatenby, who, after a decade
of service, stepped down from her role in April 2016.
Dr Gatenby has made a significant contribution to
both the Trust and the communities we serve. This
includes strengthening the Trust’s investment strategy,
putting us in a stronger financial position. Her heart
for people has led to increased engagement with
communities, enabling the Trust to respond to their
aspirations in more meaningful ways.
The Trust appointed Dennis Turton (previously the Trust's
Operations Manager) to the Chief Executive role in May
2016. The Board looks forward to working with him to
further the Trust's goals.
To the many groups and volunteers within our
region, I thank you for making a real difference in our
communities. It is a privilege to serve you and to help
make our communities more resilient and vibrant.
Niwa Nuri
Trust Waikato Chair