Roundtable Showcases Impact and Collaboration
The 2nd Annual Aoraki Foundation Recipients Roundtable, held at the Timaru District Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 28, brought together over 20 community organizations to discuss funding, initiatives, and shared challenges. The successful event reinforced the importance of collaboration and financial support in sustaining crucial programs throughout South Canterbury.
Aoraki Foundation Gift and Community Advisor Kirsty Burnett emphasized the value of bringing funding recipients together, stating, “This helps our distribution committees make informed decisions on future funding and the grant application process. It’s also a great opportunity for recipients to connect, share insights, and foster stronger relationships within the community.”
Strengthening Health and Family Support
Funding continues to be a lifeline for community organizations, with sources such as the Miller General Impact Fund and The South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund enabling life-changing services. A notable contribution came from Bidwill Hospital, which donated $100,000 to the Health Endowment Fund, ensuring more health-related grants could be made.
Tracey Barratt and Heather Locke from The Southern Cancer Society shared their impactful efforts in supporting 292 families through emotional and practical care, including accommodations. Tracey highlighted the ‘Wiggy Bank’ initiative, which subsidises wigs for cancer clients – This initiative is funded by Aoraki Womens Fund. Additionally, expanding clinics in Waimate and Twizel aim to enhance post-treatment quality of life through individualized exercise programs.
Engaging Communities and Supporting Growth
Karl Jackson from Te Aitarakihi Marae discussed their social and mentoring programs, which engage at-risk youth. Their community garden has provided food for over 1,000 families, producing more than 2,280 soup meals at Caroline Bay in the last 12 months.
Other community-driven programs discussed included Age Concern’s Well Balanced Exhibition and Road Show were run in Waimate, Timaru, Fairlie and Twizel with over 120 people attending and Plunket’s swimming confidence courses, benefiting 75 families in Temuka and Geraldine, including many migrant households. Plunket’s GPS programme, developed in South Canterbury, has been so successful that discussions are underway for a national rollout.
Education and Advocacy at the Forefront
Joining via Zoom, Victoria Thompson from Bowel Cancer New Zealand noted growing awareness ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage early conversations about symptoms. The increasing demand for support has led to plans for the recruitment of an additional nurse.
Emma Drummond representing Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand Charitable Trust talked about the value of Camp Purple for children aged 9-16 years old that suffer from Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This year three South Canterbury children were able to attend the camp in Auckland which really helps to build their confidence and resilience.
Meanwhile, Penny Wilson from Peel Forest Outdoor Centre highlighted resilience-focused programs that support over 4,000 participants—primarily South Canterbury schools—each year. Grants-funded radio equipment will improve safety while expansion plans aim to enhance accessibility.
Continued Collaboration for Lasting Impact
The roundtable showcased the interconnected nature of community organizations and their innovative approaches to addressing health, social, and educational needs across the region. Several of the recipients mentioned how lucky we are in South Canterbury to have organisations that want to work together to create the best outcomes for the people in their service. The discussion reinforced that collaboration and connection remain essential in building a stronger, more resilient community.
The Aoraki Foundation’s major funding round will open again in September.