Advisors Breakfast 2025
Advisors Gather in Timaru to Explore Legacy, Impact, and Bacon McMuffins
On a crisp August morning, more than 60 professional advisors gathered at the Landing Service Conference Centre for the Aoraki Foundation’s annual breakfast—an event that blended croissants, community, and a compelling call to action.
Hosted by Chief Executive Richard Spackman, the breakfast welcomed lawyers, accountants, bankers, and real estate professionals to explore how their work can shape lasting legacies in South Canterbury. The keynote speaker was Steven Moe, Partner at Parry Field Lawyers and Chair of Community Finance, whose career spans international law, impact investing, and storytelling.
Steven’s presentation, “Four Postures for Advisors,” challenged attendees to embrace listening, generosity, innovation, and impact. His story and reflections started with a salmon hatchery on the Waitaki River, included a humorous anecdote about a high school speech, and finished by outlining the evolving role of advisors as catalysts for social good.
The event also marked a moment of growth for the Foundation. Two new trustees, Rachel Callaghan and Tom Lambie, were welcomed, and recent milestones were celebrated: over $291,000 distributed last year, $7.3 million in total funds held, and a surge in bequest donors—from one to more than twenty in just three years.
Spackman highlighted the power of professional advisors in normalizing legacy giving. “Our legacy donors are proud of what they’re doing—and grateful to the person who introduced them to this unique way of giving. Be that person,” he urged.
With Will’s Month approaching, the Foundation is doubling down on outreach. New brochures featuring twelve donor profiles will be distributed across South Canterbury. The message is clear: leaving a gift in your will is not only easy—it’s deeply rewarding.
The breakfast was generously supported by Craigs Investment Partners, with additional thanks to many other partners of the Foundation.
As the plates cleared and conversations lingered, one thing was evident: South Canterbury’s advisors play a key role in building a better South Canterbury—and a more generous future.