Tags

Feeds / Nikau Foundation news

This feed is published by Nikau Foundation.

This feed is read by this Whakaoko subscription

Added on 19 Apr 2020. Last read 3 minutes ago.

To subscribe to this feed, enter the following location into your feed reader.

This feed currently contains the following newsitems (total count 13):

    • A lasting legacy
      • Passionate and generous throughout her lifetime, Bice Tennyson, was moved to give back to the community where she lived, worked and raised her family. Dedicating most of her adult years inspiring a love for science in young people. She enjoyed a long and successful career as a science teacher at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, and was well-loved by colleagues and students alike. Born and bred in Wellington, Bice and her husband, James, a great grandson of the Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, would spend much of their lives in the city, later moving to the Kāpiti coast to enjoy their retirement. Throughout her life, Bice was a committed supporter of the conservation and preservation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich natural heritage, and was even one of Zealandia’s first volunteers. A passionate advocate for equality, she believed that everyone, no matter their background, should have access to the resources they need to be productive and thrive. In 2014, Bice established the Bice Tennyson Fund with Nikau Foundation, believing in the community foundation model and our ability to connect her with the impactful work taking place locally. Focussed on supporting disadvantaged youth and environmental conservation, her fund has given out over $11,000 since 2017 to charities making a difference across the region. Over the past few years, programmes that may not otherwise have been possible, are flourishing because of Bice’s generosity. From family support programmes led by Barnardos, a community garden in Vogeltown where locals can come together, and Nature Schools providing kids with the chance to learn, engage and be inspired by the great outdoors. At the age of 93, on Sunday 26th April 2020, Bice sadly passed away. On behalf of everyone at Nikau Foundation, we would like to send our deepest condolences to her sons, Alan and David, and her wider family at this truly difficult time. Bice’s legacy is a lasting one, and her generosity will continue to impact our region forever. If you would like to learn more about Bice’s fund please visit www.nikaufoundation.nz/giving/our-funds/endowment-funds   The post A lasting legacy appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Stories from our communities
      • The Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust Located on the Kāpiti Coast, The Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust have been supporting the local community for years. With their marae suddenly inaccessible due to Covid-19, the trust quickly implemented a new operating model to ensure they could engage with and support their community. Their committed team have been working around the clock to connect and check-in with their Iwi members. Throughout lockdown, they have undertaken regular needs assessments of their kaumātua and the most vulnerable whanāu in their region, looking at food and heating requirements, ensuring access to medication and medical appointments, and offering free flu vaccinations. Along with delivering hundreds of food packages and firewood, the team also created a wealth of resources to provide connections, support and information. This includes the launch of an 0800 number and a virtual space for whanāu to connect, care for one another, practice karakia, waiata or just to see the people they know and love! A $3,000 grant provided vital support and connections for local whanāu. To find out more about The Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust visit: www.teatiawakikapiti.co.nz Kaibosh Operating in Wellington, the Hutt Valley and the Kāpiti and Horowhenua districts, Kaibosh is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation. Linking the food industry, and their food donors, with community groups that support people in need, Kaibosh distribute up to 30,000kg of food each month, which is the equivalent of 85,000 meals. As an essential service during lockdown, the Kaibosh team worked hard adapting their services to ensure good food still reached our communities. Forced to temporarily pause operations at their Hutt and Kāpiti bases, as well as their volunteer programme, their small crew of staff have been doing all of their mahi from the Wellington branch, and trying their best to service our regions from there. The team have been moved by the outpouring of help from the community at this difficult time, but are all too aware of the challenges they will continue to face over the weeks and months ahead. A $2,500 grant ensured good kai reached those who needed it. To find out more about Kaibosh’s response to Covid-19 visit: www.kaibosh.org.nz     The post Stories from our communities appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Supporting our front-line through grant-making
      • The Nikau Foundation team have been working hard during lockdown level 3 and 4 to play our part in the Covid-19 community response. From providing support for charities, connecting donors and partners with local needs and activities, and giving out nearly $30,000 of grants to organisations working on the front-line. For many of the charities we work with, the pandemic has meant a dramatic shift in the way they operate, deliver services and connect with the people they care for. We have been overwhelmed by their innovative approaches; making sure our most vulnerable are receiving the help and support they need in a practical and safe way. Connecting with our regional volunteers, local funders and with help from The Tindall Foundation, we have been able to distribute grants to those making a real difference on the ground. St Anne’s Pantry, Porirua The post Supporting our front-line through grant-making appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Growing an invaluable asset for Porirua City   
      • Benefiting from an economy of scale, plus having access to Nikau Foundation’s investment expertise were just two reasons for creating the Porirua Fund. The new fund will enable Nikau Foundation to grow its presence and impact in the Porirua region. It was established after an external review commissioned by trustees of the former Trust Porirua, found the Community Foundation model would be a more efficient way of managing $5 million of community assets they oversaw.  “Trust Porirua and its assets needed to get to a place where they could work effectively for Porirua, with maximum returns to the community. The decisions made as a result of the review helped secure the future of funding for the Porirua region in a sustainable way,” says former Trust Porirua Chair and current Porirua Fund committee member, Tim Sheppard Establishing a fund within Nikau Foundation meant also meant additional savings on trustee fees, Public Audit Office and trustee election costs – and that meant more money for the Porirua community. The decision to create this new fund was a no-brainer says committee member, Eleanor Carter. “Under this new structure the Porirua Fund will be able to return more than three times as much to the Porirua region as it did in its previous form. That’s great for our community… “It’s reassuring to know that, by partnering with the Nikau Foundation, our community’s assets are ring-fenced for local benefit, and will be safeguarded and grown.” The committee overseeing the new fund are a diverse group of local people who love Porirua and working with community groups to help to shape their city’s future. Chair, Rebecca Morahan, says the new fundwill have real, lasting benefits for the region and its peoples. “The Nikau Foundation Porirua Fund brings new and exciting opportunities to our community … The dream is that Porirua will be positively transformed forever through the power of local generosity.” The post Growing an invaluable asset for Porirua City    appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Our Community – A grants update from Porirua
      • Porirua has a large and ever-growing youth population and it is vital to harness this creativity, innovation and energy for the benefit and growth of the community. The Porirua Fund’s aim is to support long-term, sustainable and impactful initiatives which will contribute to future generations. The Porirua Fund is an incredible asset for the city. Established through a significant Trust transfer in October 2018, the team of committed volunteers collaborate with the Nikau Foundation team to ensure that the grant-making is strategic, informed and sustainable. The Porirua Fund committee were carefully selected for their skills, experience and community connectedness. Porirua is an ethnically diverse, inclusive city and the committee is reflective of this – bringing together voices from local government and business, community leaders, youth, Māori and Pasifika communities. The last grants round closed in August 2019 with over 70 applications from Porirua charities and groups. The Nikau team and the Porirua Committee assessed the applications, noting any conflicts of interest, against the funding strategy and criteria outlined and then allocated the applications to the appropriate funds.  It is a robust and time-consuming process to ensure that the grants are assessed in a fair and thorough manner. “Our aim for 2020 is to streamline our processes, increase our impact and grow our network. Collectively, we have challenged ourselves with the task of growing this vital asset, by engaging new stakeholders and advocates, increasing our impact now and in the future” Rebecca Morahan – Chair Porirua Committee. QUICKLINKS Porirua Fund  Porirua Funding Strategy Successful Porirua Grants 2020 The post Our Community – A grants update from Porirua appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Celebrating our local everyday heroes!
      • From small acts of kindness, to large acts of generosity – Nikau Foundation was honoured to partner with the Welly’s to celebrate local philanthropy here in Wellington. From a young boy raising funds for the hospital helping him, a couple committed to ensuring our city thrives and a real-estate icon helping to finding cures for cancer through research. Read more about the 2019 Nikau Foundation Philanthropy Awards in this Stuff Article from 18 November. The post Celebrating our local everyday heroes! appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Spotlight on Trustee Adrian Orr
      • Adrian Orr joined Nikau Foundation as a Trustee in late 2018. As Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Adrian possesses a unique insight into the needs within our communities. Committed to building resilient, healthy and vibrant communities, Adrian brings a wealth of experience, cultural understanding and strategic leadership to the Board. We are delighted to have Adrian join the Nikau family – helping us grow the Foundation and our impact for the people and places of Wellington. “Working with Nikau Foundation enables me to make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of Wellington – economically, socially and environmentally. It is incredibly important to me to give something back – as a Trustee I can utilise my skills and experience to truly make a difference” Primarily of Cook Island and Irish descent, Adrian was born and raised in New Zealand. He is married to wife Sue, a novelist, and they have three adult children. We took a moment with Adrian to learn a little more about Nikau’s newest Trustee. If you weren’t at the office today, what would you be doing? My passion is spending time with my wife, family and friends fishing, paddle-boarding, and setting low goals at our hideaway. Why do you love Nikau Foundation? The sense of purpose the team have to build a beautiful sustainable inclusive society, intergenerationally. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? To Atiu in the Cook Islands- for rest and soul building. The post Spotlight on Trustee Adrian Orr appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Wairarapa Fund: Regular Giving to make a difference
      • Wairarapa’s Jaime Slater and her first donation to the Nikau Wairarapa Fund. Nikau Wairarapa Fund team have an ambitious goal; they are aiming to raise $50,000 in just two years to ensure they can continue to support the community forever! Wairarapa Committee Chair Lucy Mclaren says that she has been delighted with the generosity of a number of local heroes who have pledged to contribute $50 a month toward achieving this dream. Greytown-based real estate agent, Jaime Slater who has joined this group of like-minded individuals says “I am making a regular gift to the Nikau Wairarapa Fund so that our community can benefit from my giving now and in the years to come.” If you’d like to find out more about how you can support the Wairarapa, please get in touch. The post Wairarapa Fund: Regular Giving to make a difference appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Lifting the Lid on Youth Suicide
      • “Today’s teenagers are under significant pressures from many sources- especially from social media. The result is that mental health is a very serious concern for many of our teenagers.” – Grant Congdon, Principal, Horowhenua College Our Deputy Chair Liz Koh and Bruce Morgan of Kapiti Rotary at the Lifting the Lid lunch It can take up to 10 weeks for an at-risk youth to be assessed for counseling and mental health services in the Wellington Region. Lifting the Lid aims to remove financial barriers so that everyone aged 13–18 will have support system available that will prevent them from ending their lives. Nikau Foundation has granted $5,000 to the project, which is being facilitated by Kapiti Rotary. “The goal of the project is to one day not be needed in this capacity” says Bruce Morgan, project chair. Find out more here.   The post Lifting the Lid on Youth Suicide appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • 2019 Electra Business Awards
      • Running continuously since 1993, the Electra Kāpiti Horowhenua Business Awards are possibly the longest-running Regional Business Awards in New Zealand. 2019 is the 3rd year that Nikau Foundation has been involved in the awards. The Give Where You Live Achievement Award, recognising businesses who are committed and smart supporters of their local communities, was founded in 2018. The finalists this year are Kāpiti Coast Funeral Home, Otaki New World and Web Genius. “Kāpiti is a tight-knit district, with a strong and active business community. By positioning ourselves alongside business-based philanthropy, we come together to celebrate all the good work that businesses are doing.” – Mike Olsen Nikau Foundation Kāpiti Committee Nikau Foundation support the awards, run by Business Kāpiti Horowhenua, specifically to promote businesses that demonstrate a commitment to the environmental and social impacts of their work, and how their contribution to a thriving and resilient community is good for business. The post 2019 Electra Business Awards appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Celebrating 150 years of the Wellington Botanic Garden
      • Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden were joined last month by staff and volunteers (past and present) to celebrate 150 years since the Garden’s establishment. Visited by over 1.2 million people each year, the garden is an attraction for visitors both locally and internationally. Recognised by the Historic Places Trust as an important heritage site, it boasts over 26 hectares of unsurpassed views, unique landscape, exotic forests, native bush, colourful floral displays and gorgeous specialist gardens. As part of the celebrations, the Friends launched the Wellington Botanic Garden Endowment Fund, established through the Nikau Foundation. This fund will support a range of activities, led by the Friends, such as events, lectures, historic displays and much more – all designed to deepen the engagement of the community with the Garden. Their hopes are to nurture and grow this fund so that future generations can continue to enjoy the garden for the next 150 years and beyond! If you would like to know more about supporting the Garden please get in touch. The post Celebrating 150 years of the Wellington Botanic Garden appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • September is Wills Month
      • If you’ve been thinking about your will, now is the perfect time to update, amend or think about leaving a gift in your will for the benefit of something you care about. Over half of New Zealanders currently do not have a will, which can create problems for loved ones in the event of their passing. It is also vital to review your will regularly, especially after any significant events or life changes like welcoming a new baby, ending or starting a relationship and purchasing or selling a home. Nikau Foundation has many area of special interest funds including Mental Health, Environment, Animal Welfare, Youth and for the Elderly. These funds are the perfect option for those wanting to leave a gift that will benefit a cause close to their heart, but are but don’t know which one or if particular charities will still be in existence by the time they pass away. Direct donations to charities are often spent immediately – the funds are used up and possibly forgotten. A donation made to the Nikau Foundation goes on giving forever because the capital is retained but the investment income is distributed. The post September is Wills Month appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

    • Porirua, there’s a new strategic funder in town
      • Many Porirua charities and community groups will know what a struggle it is to be raising money for their causes. Sometimes it’s really hard to think strategically when you are wondering how you are going to pay the next bill and possibly, on occasions, how to keep the wolves from the door. Charity fundraising can be a real challenge but if you can somehow lift your thoughts to thinking more strategically, to the next big thing, what would it be? What would you do if there was some strategic funding to be tapped into that enabled you to think about those big, impactful and strategic goals? That’s exactly the opportunity that has come to Porirua in the form of the Nikau Porirua District Fund. This Fund has been established from the historical assets of Trust Porirua which are now being safeguarded and grown by Nikau Foundation, the Wellington region’s Community Foundation. These assets are now invested in perpetuity, with the income to flow back to charities and causes within the boundaries of Porirua City, from Kenepuru to Pukerua Bay. The inaugural voluntary grants committee, headed by charity leader Rebecca Morahan and including ex Trustees with Trust Porirua – Tim Sheppard, Izzy Ford and Eleanor Cater – have teamed up with community representatives Ranei Wineera-Parai, Sue Shotter, Numalani Fonoti and Jess Reiher to decide on the direction and future focus of this fund. Because Porirua already has many ‘business as usual’ funders, including gaming societies and the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust, the committee has decided that the direction of this fund will be to focus on impactful, more strategic initiatives that will really make a difference to the people of Porirua. Grants can be anywhere between $5k to $50k, so if there’s a big, strategic idea that your charity or community group has been thinking is not possible and that is really going to make a difference to people in Porirua check out the Porirua District Fund page and take a look at the granting strategy to find out more. You have until the end of August to make your application. Get your vision, your financial and strategic plan together, tell your story well, detail the impactful outcomes and how this is a good investment for Porirua. It could well be the best, most change-making application you ever make.   Eleanor Cater is on the Nikau Porirua District Fund Committee, sits on the local grants committee of Trust House and is Executive Officer with Community Foundations of New Zealand. The post Porirua, there’s a new strategic funder in town appeared first on Nikau Foundation.

Updated Feeds

Recently updated feeds from local organisations.