2025 Funding Round Gifts $170,000

The Aoraki Foundation has completed its annual funding round, distributing $170,000 to community organisations across South Canterbury. The funding, drawn from the Aoraki Foundations’ Miller General Impact Fund, and the South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund, and the Bidwill Trust Hospital Foundation, will support a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening health, education, and community wellbeing.

The Miller General Impact Fund was born from the extraordinary generosity of Eric and Queenie Miller, who left their entire estate to benefit South Canterbury. Their legacy, alongside the contributions of The South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund,  established through a seed gift from the former South Canterbury District Health Board and The Bidwill Trust Hospital Foundation, ensures that vital services and community initiatives continue to thrive. Together, these funds highlight the power of local philanthropy in sustaining health, education, and wellbeing across South Canterbury.

A recipient that received funding last year and again this year was Plunket – they received funding for two of their programmes: the Giving People Support programme that was piloted locally last year and has been so successful that it is being rolled out across New Zealand.   The other Plunket programme to be funded is the Swimming programme that provides free or subsidised swim and water safety lessons to children under five years old.  Plunket Community Services Co-ordinator, Louise Haley, said we are so grateful for this continued support so we can provide these essential lifesaving skills for Tamariki and whanau in our community.

One of the first time recipients this year is Road Safety Education Ltd, they are receiving funding for their RYDA programme which has a mission to prevent death and serious injury on our roads by empowering young people and strengthening communities through road safety education.  Their programme educates 16-18 year old participants and it is anticipated that over 400 year 12 students from our region will benefit from the Ryda Programme in 2026.

 

Miller General Impact Fund – $40,000 Distributed

Established in 2013 through the generosity of Eric and Queenie Miller, pioneers of South Canterbury’s trucking and transport industry, the Miller General Impact Fund continues to provide enduring support to the region. This year’s recipients include:

  • The Y Central South Island – $5,000 for operational expenses and coordinator wages

  • Momentum Charitable Trust – $4,370 for a two-day life and financial skills programme

  • Good Bitches Trust – $1,500 for operating costs

  • Te Aitarakihi Society Incorporated – $5,000 for wages supporting a māra kai gardener

  • Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust – $3,400 for swimming programme costs

  • Timaru Senior Citizens Association (Age Concern South Canterbury) – $1,000 for community sessions

  • He Manu Hou Trust – $2,000 for operational wages

  • Waimate Parenting Hub – $3,500 for general operating costs

  • Road Safety Education Limited – $2,000 for the RYDA road safety programme

  • South Canterbury Hospice Inc – $5,000 for operating costs

  • 15 Squadron Air Training Corps Association of NZ – $3,230 for salaries/wages

  • High Country Medical Trust – $4,000 for a garage to house an emergency vehicle

 

South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund & Bidwill Trust – $130,000 Distributed

The Health Endowment Fund, and the Bidwill Trust Hospital Foundation, directed $130,000 to health-focused organisations, including:

  • Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust – $10,000 for operational costs

  • Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust – $5,247.30 for operational costs and laptops for rehab staff

  • Wandersearch Canterbury Charitable Trust – $1,587 for six new devices

  • Presbyterian Support South Canterbury – $5,700 for dementia immersive workshops

  • South Canterbury Stroke Club – $9,000 for operating costs

  • Life Education Trust Mid & South Canterbury – $13,319.70 for operational costs and salaries

  • Age Concern South Canterbury – $3,000 for community cupps sessions

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ Trust – $10,000 for operating costs

  • Maia Health Foundation – $5,000 for neonatal care units in Christchurch NICU

  • Heart Kids New Zealand – $2,000 for operating costs

  • St John Timaru Area Committee – $4,000 for the Aoraki Health Shuttle

  • PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation – $7,500 for client sessions

  • Bowel Cancer Aotearoa Charitable Trust – $3,161 for operational costs

  • Cure Kids – $5,000 for research into IBD & IBS in young Kiwis

  • From One Mother to Another – $2,000 for care packages to caregivers with children in hospital

  • Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa – $5,000 towards Timaru Hospital chaplain’s salary

  • South Canterbury Hospice Inc – $10,000 for GP salaries

  • Motor Neurone Disease NZ Charitable Trust – $4,485 for a community support advisor

  • South Canterbury Multiple Sclerosis Society – $7,000 for operational expenses and wages

  • Alzheimers South Canterbury – $17,000 for staff wages to continue accessible services

 

Chairperson of the Aoraki Foundation Distributions Committee and South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund Committee, Jo Goodhew,  said we were well over subscribed with applications this year which shows the hard times that local charities are facing.  It was a very tough decision for the volunteer committees, but I believe that we have funded the organisations that will make the biggest difference to people in South Canterbury.

 

You can see a full list of previous recipients here. The Aoraki Foundation Funding round opens again in September 2026.

 

 

Aoraki FoundationAoraki FoundationComment