How can my estate have the greatest positive effect?
10 February, 2026
By Keith Hobson.
When I started to think about how to distribute my estate, I first thought of my personal circumstances.
I have never been married, and my nieces and nephews are well catered for when it comes to their futures.
Then I thought about what I could do with my estate that would have the greatest positive effect on people now and for the foreseeable future.
I decided to set up a ‘named fund’ with Momentum Waikato, to benefit ten charities, by leaving a bequest to Momentum in my Will.
The annual income from the invested money would then be divided between the charities and the fund, so it would continue to grow, and two of the charities per year would receive a lump sum to assist them.
How did I decide on the charities?
I have recently taken up bike-packing, which involves long-distance back country riding that is fully self-supported. This means that I have to carry everything I will need while I am riding, and I do not use an e-bike.
My first journey was the ‘Kopiko’, which is from Te Araroa East Cape lighthouse to Cape Egmont lighthouse in Taranaki, through the centre of the North Island. Cape Reinga to Bluff was my next ride.
ABOVE: Keith on the Pureora Timber Trail a few years back.
RIGHT: At the Maruia Saddle, near Nelson.
Next month, March 2026, at the age of 78 I will be riding in the ‘Sounds to Sounds’ from Queen Charlotte Sound in Marlborough to Milford Sound in Fiordland.
During those rides, we are required to donate to a charity of our choosing. I picked Waikato Rescue Helicopters, because a lot of the places where we ride are very isolated and if something were to happen to us, the helicopter was the best way to get to us.
As a result, my Fund’s first two charities are the Waikato Rescue Helicopter, and Bike on New Zealand Charitable Trust, who distribute bikes to children who cannot afford them.
I am very concerned about family violence in New Zealand, so next I chose Waitomo Waipa Women’s Refuge.
New Zealand Red Cross was the next charity because of the work they do when we have natural disasters.
The environment is very important to me, so I also chose Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, along with Predator Free New Zealand.
Children are the future of New Zealand, so this is why I chose Kidscan Charitable Trust.
The last two are health related. I chose the Cancer Society of New Zealand because of the work they do in educating people with regards to the dangers of the Sun in New Zealand, and the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, because of the issues we face due to obesity and diabetes and how they influence heart health.
I firmly believe charity begins at home.
