The Trust Tairāwhiti Annual Report 2022/23 is now available online, ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on 10 August.
The Annual Report outlines the Trust’s key activities over the year and showcases the work of funding recipients, including Huringa Pai, Swim for Life Tairāwhiti and the Gisborne Boardriders’ Club.
As the EDA, the Trust is committed to supporting the region’s businesses and industries to thrive. Over the year, it supported over 150 businesses through the Government’s Regional Business Partner Network and Callaghan Innovation. We also partnered with the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment to deliver the Digital Boost pilot initiative in Tairāwhiti.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the Trust had a key role in leading the immediate business response and supporting the regional economic recovery. The initial priority was establishing a Business Hub, which enabled more than 300 businesses to pay staff and access support from Government agencies while connectivity was down.
We were one of seven agencies tasked with delivering the Government’s business recovery package to flood-affected regions around the North Island. Over eight weeks, the Trust distributed $16.32 million to 730 local businesses to help them get back up and running.
After the cyclone, the Trust board agreed to make just over $370,000 available for an immediate community relief fund. We partnered with the Department of Internal Affairs on the initiative, as well as The Gift Trust and the Clare Foundation, and supported various community groups with quick turnaround grants to help recovery efforts.
The Trust distributed over $4.39 million to 68 community groups over the year for projects and initiatives supporting regional wellbeing.
In line with our wellbeing framework, we continue to measure the impact of Trust investments. Our successful roll-out of the Tairāwhiti Wellbeing Survey supported this work. The survey aims to improve our local data and better understand the wellbeing of our people. More than 1000 people across the rohe responded to the survey, and we now have baseline data publicly available online.
Following the successful conclusion of the Eastland Network sale, the $80 million returned to the Trust has been invested to ensure immediate, ongoing returns and a diverse portfolio. Through our strategic review process, we’re working to balance the amount invested for the long-term and what is available now.
Trust chair John Clarke acknowledged Gavin Murphy, who stepped down from his role as chief executive in June, as well as retired trustees Dr Jill Chrisp and Kristen Kohere-Soutar.
“Gavin guided the Trust through the amalgamation of the EDA, RTO and subsequent rebrand to Trust Tairāwhiti, as well as the introduction of He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora.
“Jill has been a Trustee for six years and had an important role as chair of our People and Culture Committee. She has brought many skills to the board table, drawing on her background in social science and strategic leadership. Kristen has been a passionate trustee with a strategic approach to challenging the status quo and ensuring the Trust responds to the community's needs. Her financial nous and extensive governance experience have been invaluable to Trust deliberations.
“We also acknowledge the passing of Michael Chrisp, who drew up the original Trust Deed in 1993. It was a visionary and forward-thinking document, with flexibility that allowed the Trust to grow and build a fund that enabled today's trustees to invest across Tairāwhiti. That same careful stewardship in the future will ensure Michael’s foresight and legacy will endure.”
Read the 2022/23 Annual Report or hard copies can be collected from the Trust offices.
The AGM will be held at Waikanae Surf Club and live streamed from 5.30pm 10 August 2023. RSVP to attend or watch the live stream