Latest news with #OtagoCommunityTrust
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Trust hands out more than $1.1 million in grants to community organisations
Grants of more than $1.1 million have been made by the Otago Community Trust in its latest funding round. The Otago Community Trust will distribute $1,177,317 to 35 community groups around the region. Up-Cycles Charitable Trust received $8000 to expand its Community of Bike Ambassadors programme. The programme equips young people with cycling skills, leadership abilities and first aid knowledge, enabling them to assist others on Central Otago's cycle trails. "We are aiming to deliver to 60 rangatahi this year, which will undoubtedly make a difference in our community," project director Chris Foggin said. "We have already seen attendees from previous cohorts using their skills on our trail network." The programme will be delivered to six schools across Central Otago. Each ambassador receives equipment such as a first aid kit, backpack and cycle tools. After the devastating fire at Lake Ōhau in 2020, the Ōhau Conservation Trust began the Avoca Forest restoration project. Planting of the native forest has been under way since 2022 and an additional boost of $3000 has been granted to continue its development. The funding will support the creation of recreational spaces, installation of plant identification signs and equipment for volunteer activities. Since the project began, volunteers have planted 4481 native plants and created 1140m of walking track in this valued community space. Eleven social service organisations received a total of $824,700 to support their work in the community. Otago Youth Wellness Trust was awarded $119,700 to support its Wraparound and Rangatahi group service, which provides integrated support for young people with high and multiple needs. Southern Youth Development received $94,500 for its Rangatahi Success and Wellbeing programmes, which offer employment, education opportunities and personal development for young people aged 12-24. Age Concern Otago was granted $68,250 to continue its services supporting older people. The arts sector, particularly music, also received support in this funding round. Musical Theatre Dunedin was awarded $15,700 to assist with staging Chess The Musical , continuing its nearly 100-year tradition of producing quality amateur theatre in Dunedin. Chamber Music NZ received $11,800 to support the chamber's 2025 programme. Rockquest Charitable Trust was granted $9000 to hold Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats events in Otago, providing young musicians with professional performance experience. Choirs Aotearoa NZ Trust ($5000) and Central Otago Regional Choir ($2500) received funding to support singing initiatives and concert series across multiple Otago locations. Otago Community Trust Grants Alexandra Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland $13,000 Up-Cycles Charitable Trust $8000 Central Otago Regional Choir $2500 Dunedin Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation $3000 Aukaha (1997) Ltd $56,550 Stopping Violence Dunedin Inc $30,000 Green Island School $3000 Musical Theatre Dunedin $15,700 Catholic Social Services $68,250 Presbyterian Support Otago $84,000 Otago Youth Wellness Trust $119,700 Anglican Family Care $89,250 Methodist Mission Southern $78,750 Southern Youth Development $94,500 Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society — Otago (Pars) $12,500 Te Hou Ora Whānau Services $84,000 Dunedin Poultry, Pigeon & Cage Bird Club $2717 Swing Riot Dunedin $4000 Otago Chinese Professionals Association $750 Chisholm Park Golf Club $6500 Milton Tokomairiro Community Recreation Centre $5000 Oamaru Ōhau Conservation Trust $3000 Otago Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand $145,000 Choirs Aotearoa NZ Trust $5000 Girl Guides Association New Zealand $2500 Rockquest Charitable Trust $9000 Salvation Army New Zealand $45,000 Age Concern Otago $68,250 Able — Southern Families Support $63,000 Chamber Music New Zealand Trust $11,800 Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) $1000 Epilepsy Association of New Zealand $5000 Wānaka Wānaka Search and Rescue $20,000 Tarras Community Church Charitable Trust $11,500 Lake Hāwea Community Centre $5600 — APL
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Educational hub project gains funding
An ambitious project aimed at "transforming cultural capability" across Otago's education sector has been given $1.804 million over the next three years. The funding has been provided by the Otago Community Trust so that Otago's three Papatipu Rūnaka — Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou and Te Rūnaka o Moeraki — can join forces to establish an educational hub, Hono ki Tua. The hub would work holistically with early childhood, primary and secondary education providers, to enhance knowledge and understanding of the Kāi Tahu heritage and culture, specific to each rūnaka. It would deliver initiatives, including kapa haka training, marae-based school programmes and workshops for whānau and educators alike. It also aimed to ensure educational providers better understand rūnaka aspirations as mana whenua, while developing their local cultural knowledge and the specific context of the Treaty of Waitangi in the South Island. Hono ki Tua board member Dr Rachel Martin was delighted with the funding support. "The development of Hono ki Tua provides Kā rūnaka Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, and Moeraki with an innovative approach to form Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based outcomes within our respective takiwā [tribal territories]. "It's an exciting time and we are looking forward to working with the trust, whānau and education providers over the next three years." She was "deeply grateful" for the work done by the late Rua McCallum (Moeraki) who initially spearheaded the project, but died before she could see it come to fruition. "We are heartened that her legacy will live on through Hono ki Tua." Dr Martin said the project would benefit all students and teachers, foster a genuine sense of belonging, and help address some of the educational disadvantages faced by Māori. Word of the initiative has spread fast and principals across the Otago region are looking forward to using the resources. Warrington School principal Jeff Burrow said the support and guidance provided through local pūrākau, cultural wānaka and engagement with marae had enriched his pupils' understanding of their heritage and identity, and contributed to their overall wellbeing and achievement. "These connections are invaluable in helping us build a curriculum that reflects the histories and values of our region, fostering a deeper sense of belonging for all our learners. "As a school principal, I regularly seek advice and support from our local marae." St Clair School principal Jen Rodgers said the combined resources would be "immensely helpful". Through this comprehensive approach, Hono ki Tua aimed to create a more culturally inclusive educational environment and support the development of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, she said.
