Listening to our community, together
Recipients Round Table 2026
There’s something powerful that happens when people who care deeply about their community come together in one room. At this year’s Aoraki Foundation Recipients Roundtable, more than 30 charities from across South Canterbury did just that—sharing openly about the work they do, the people they support, and the challenges they’re seeing every day.
It was a conversation grounded in honesty, trust, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Throughout the morning, organisations spoke about what it means to feel genuinely supported—not just financially, but as people doing important mahi in our community. When asked about the funding relationship with the Aoraki Foundation comments included:
“Feels like a genuine relationship—you want to understand and know us.”
“We are not just the words on the page.”
The roundtable also created space to reflect on how we can continue to do things better—particularly when it comes to our funding application and accountability processes. We heard clearly that what already exists is valued: a simple and accessible application, a relational approach, and a focus on trust.
“The broader approach taken by Aoraki Foundation builds trust.”
“Ops funding is so unsexy but so important to stay open, not all funders offer this so thank you.”
At the same time, charities generously shared ideas for how we can evolve. These suggestions were thoughtful, practical, and grounded in the realities of their day-to-day work. Time, in particular, was a recurring theme. Many spoke about the pressure of completing funding applications while also delivering frontline services.
What we’re taking forward
As a result of these conversations, we are exploring ways to make our processes more flexible, more human, and more reflective of the incredible work being done across our region.
This includes:
Creating more flexibility within applications
Opening up opportunities for conversation—whether in person or online
Allowing for richer storytelling beyond written responses
“Sometimes the essence of what we do is lost in a written application.”
“Our storytelling is important… it’s hard to capture who we are in one short paragraph.”
On the accountability side, it was reassuring to hear that a relationship-based, high-trust approach is making a difference.
“It goes beyond just providing receipts.”
“I don’t think you know how rare it is to get a visit from a funder.”
We will continue to build on this—keeping things meaningful, while ensuring the process remains simple and supportive.
What came through most strongly is this: our community organisations are doing incredible work under growing pressure—but they are also full of insight, care, and commitment.
“Funding is about backing people and their passion.”
That’s exactly what we aim to do.
Because at the heart of it all, this is about people—working together to create a stronger, more connected South Canterbury.