Our core purpose is to offer a simple, effective, and enduring way for individuals and families to leave meaningful legacies for local causes, ensuring their gifts create lasting impact well into the future.

Key achievements so far:

 

Grants and Scholarships made to South Canterbury

Through the generosity of our donors, we have given out over $2.42 million in the last fifteen years. These grants have been spread right across South Canterbury. Some go to big charities like Hospice, St. John, & the Cancer Society, others go to smaller groups like the Fairlie Museum, Geraldine Family & Youth Trust, and Centrecare Waimate or they went to community projects like the Tekapo Bridge, Fraser Park and Point Bush Ecological Trust

 

Endowment funds invested for the Community

The Aoraki Foundation manages over $9.9 million that has been donated by philanthropic South Cantabrians. This includes more than $1.9 million managed on behalf of the Aoraki MRI Charitable Trust and approximately $1 million for the South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund.

 

Funds raised for community projects

The Aoraki Foundation has helped raise over $12.3 million for local projects including Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre (CBay), MRI Scanner, Suburban Lions Bike Skills Park, Caroline Bay Playground (CPlay), Centennial Park Pump Track and Alexandra Lifeboat.

2024/25

 

Pressing the accelerator

2024/25 was another stellar year for the Aoraki Foundation. Thanks in large part to a generous donation from the Bidwill Trust Hospital, we distributed $291,161 in grants and scholarships. Growth remained strong, with community funds under management surpassing $7 million, an increase of 41%.

Legacy funds continue to prove a popular way for South Cantabrians to give, and our Wills Month campaign gained excellent traction in September. Sadly, we farewelled a valued member of our Board with the passing of Georgina Hamilton. Her contribution and legacy will live on through the Foundation.

Highlights

  • Our sold‑out gala dinner, Ascend Aoraki, celebrated 15 years of the Aoraki Foundation.

  • A new record was set with sixteen new funds established during the year, including the O’Sullivan Family Scholarship, Hearing Association South Canterbury Fund, and Kit McGuire Nursing Fund.

Funds under management: $7.15 million

Distributions to the community: $291,161

Donations to community projects: $234,554

New endowment funds: 16

2023/24

 

Turning the Corner

2023/24 was the year the Aoraki Foundation “turned the corner”. After building strong momentum in 2023 through a mountain of mahi, this year we were able to capitalise on our growing awareness and credibility within the community. This was particularly evident across our professional advisor network. Many advisors now clearly understand our purpose, our model, and our relevance to their clients. As a result, we have seen a significant upswing in bequests and a wider range of giving conversations.

Highlights

  • We crossed the $5 million mark in funds invested

  • A record was set with eleven new funds started this year including: the Alzheimers South Canterbury Fund, Mackenzie Country Conservation Fund, Age Concern Fund & South Canterbury Air Rescue & Air Ambulance Fund

Funds under management: $5.07 million

Distributions to the community: $145,041

Donations to community projects: $106,433

New endowment funds: 11

2022/23

Building momentum.

2022/23 was one of the Aoraki Foundation’s best years to date. A host of new funds were established, a record amount of money was granted to the community, and a growing base of business partners supported our operations.

Highlights

  • A record seven new funds were started this year including: the Mackenzie Charitable Fund, St. Andrews Golf Fund, Multiple Sclerosis Fund, and the Financial Literacy Fund.

  • Long-serving trustees Ron Luxton, Ken McKenzie & Lesley Roy become Aoraki Foundation Ambassadors.

 


Funds under management: $4.28 million

Distributions to the community: $444,075

Donations to community projects: $154,510

New endowment funds: 7

2021/22

Headwinds following Covid.

What a year that was! The Aoraki Foundation faced some significant headwinds this year as the long tail of Covid impacted the not-for-profit sector. Our revenue from Friends of the Foundation was significantly down, resulting in an operational loss. A lack of networking, events, and presentations inhibited growth. However a good finish to the year has us set up to make the most of the next 12 months.

Highlights

  • The community got behind the Caroline Bay Playground (CPlay) with more than 400 individual donors.

  • Ashley Shewan becomes the Aoraki Foundation’s first official Ambassador.


Funds under management: $3.25 million

Distributions to the community: $139,332

Donations to community projects: $469,251

New endowment funds: 0

Click to expand each year

  • Timaru Temuka Methodist Parish Endowment Fund established.

    Lesley Roy retires after six years on the board, five of those as chairperson.

    $228,497 worth of grants made to community

    Funds under management of $3.61 million.

  • St. Andrews Youth Scholarship Fund established.

    $221,825 worth of grants made to community

    Funds under management of $2.96 million

  • Four new funds started all from trust resettlements: South Canterbury Nursing Endowment, Cody Hunter Timaru Host Lions Fund, Mountainview School Scholarship Fund and the Aoraki Water Endowment Fund.

    Nick Noone retires from the board after nine years of service.

    $148,241 worth of grants made to community

    Funds under management of $2.98 million

  • Donor Ashley Shewan starts two funds one for Health and one for Heritage.

    Ron Luxton retires from the board after eight years of service.

    MRI Scanner turns five in March 2018.

  • Donor Fraser Ross established Environmental Fund.

    2 x $10,000 donations to the Fairlie Lions for Moreh Home and for a community playground at Mackenzie College.

    Donor Stacey Scott established an endowment fund to benefit South Canterbury and the Aoraki Foundation.

    South Canterbury Health Fund distributes close to $65,000 to the community

  • $30,000 donated to the Waimate Events Centre.

    Founding Trustee Ken McKenzie retires from the Aoraki Foundation board after six years.

    Aoraki Foundation wins the Community Award at the South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards.

    First distribution ($50,000) made from the South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund.

    Founding Trustee Nigel Davenport retires after seven years on the board.

  • Aoraki Foundation wins the supreme award at the South Canterbury Trust Power Community Awards.

    Aoraki Foundation also wins the NZ Trust of the Year award.

    $30,000 is granted to the South Canterbury Hockey Club to complete its new hockey Turf at Aorangi Park.

    Stacey Scott’s time with the Foundation comes to an end and is replaced with Ginny Bolderstone. This is the Aoraki Foundation’s first offical staff member.

  • Founding trustee Damon Odey resigns after he is elected as the Mayor of the Timaru Disrict.

    A significant contribution was made to the High Country Medical Centre in Twizel.

    Eric & Queenie Miller Estates are transferred to the Aoraki Foundation.

    Mackenzie District representative Lesley Roy joins the Aoraki Foundation board.

  • CBay opens in July 2012 after massive fundraising effort of more than $5 million.

    MRI scanner is officially opens in March 2013 with the community contributing more than $3.1 million

    $30,000 grant to Waimate Skate Park.

    Aoraki Foundation shifts it’s focus to building endowments.

    First endowment established, a Swimming Fund is set up by an anonymous donor.

    South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund established with a $570,000 gift from the SCDHB.

  • Fundraising for the MRI Scanner hits $2 million before Christmas

    The Aoraki Foundation receives its first Tindall Foundation milestone funding.

    Grants made to the SC Hockey Turf and South Canterbury Car Club

  • Fundraising begins for the Caroline Bay aquatic centre (CBay). Alpine Energy commits $100,000 per year for ten years. Each year $75,000 will go to CBay, $15,000 to the Waimate District, & $10,000 to the Mackenzie District.

    Ron Luxton joins the board and Stacey Scott starts as a contractor.

    Fundraising for the MRI Scanner at Timaru Hospital begins.

  • The Aoraki Foundation was established on August 3rd 2009 by founding trustees Sid McAuley, Ken McKenzie, Damon Odey, Nick Noone and Nigel Davenport.

    Representative are appointed by the Mayors of the Waimate District Council and Mackenzie District Council.