Nau Mai, Haere Mai.
Momentum can make your generosity last forever
By Tim Macindoe - Momentum Waikato Generosity Ambassador
This is the first of Tim's columns for Seasons magazine - in print in the July 2021 issue.
New Zealanders are remarkably generous and caring for each other, especially in times of crisis and immediate need.
Most of us readily donate time or money when asked and appreciate the opportunity to provide ongoing support to the causes dear to us, especially if we can contribute towards creating a lasting benefit to future generations.
The challenge can be the sheer number of charities out there, or how to strike a balance in also meeting our family’s needs, particularly given first homes are increasingly out of reach and long-term health issues may not be fully covered by existing services.
Or we don’t want to see our gifts mis-targeted or immediately consumed, not knowing how to ensure an ongoing legacy that works into the future on our own terms.
All of which can be why some hesitate to consider leaving a bequest to our community or favourite charity in our Will.
A perfect solution to these dilemmas is to create a philanthropic investment fund at your local community foundation, which guarantees perpetual support for what you care about, based on a Deed of Gift.
Volunteers make this all possible
This week is National Volunteer Week, a time to pause and thank the collective contribution of the wonderful volunteers who make the Waikato’s communities tick.
In particular, we thank the numerous volunteers who make Momentum Waikato thrive as your local community foundation.
The theme of this year’s Volunteer Week is ‘recognise, connect and reimagine’.
We recognise those who give their time and expertise for the benefit of our local community, connect people who care with causes that matter, and reimagine a future where our community has all the philanthropic investment and funding it needs.
Bunny Mortimer, a great Hamiltonian
Above: Bunny Mortimer, centre, with Momentum Development Director Janice Lapwood and former Momentum staffer Lara Conroy in late 2019.
Bunny Mortimer was a quiet and modest achiever who has left a wonderful ever-growing legacy for the city and region she called home.
The determined tree conservationist, who has passed away at the age of 97, created the Taitua Arboretum with her late husband John over many decades, eventually gifting the leafy haven to the city of Hamilton for perpetual public enjoyment.
Bunny and John were also founding donors for the Momentum Waikato Community Foundation, being among the first to affirm our mission through entrusting their Taitua endowment fund to our care, which will support the arboretum forever.
Eight days, six events, a whole lot of smiling faces
By Jannat Maqbool, Chair - Waikato Intercultural Fund
The fruits of weeks of intense planning come together in late May and early June as teams of University of Waikato Management School students hosted a series of events around Kirikiriroa Hamilton to support the Waikato Intercultural Fund.
This first public outing by the Fund was a simple and enjoyable experiment in designing, running and promoting public events aimed at creating social situations and interactions that generate greater mutual awareness, understanding and respect between communities and cultures.
A scavenger hunt, a photography demonstration, a backpackers’ race, a cultural arts exhibition, a crafts-and-culture experience and a pub quiz, there was something for everyone!
World of wire art wows...
Gina Ferguson for her winning work 'Wear ‘n’ tear'. Picture: Waikato Museum.
We are proud to have been a partner in the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Awards exhibition, hosted by the Waikato Museum at its adjacent Artspost gallery in downtown Hamilton.
Successful Waahine Toa Event Raises Funds
A wonderful late summer afternoon at Zealong Tea celebrating International Women's Day 2021 with our Waahine Toa: Reignite fundraising event resulted in more than $23,000 being raised for the Waikato Women's Fund.
Women - and men - from across the Waikato donned their finery for an elegant afternoon with fabulous conversation, a wonderful array of auction items, and an incredible line up of inspiring speakers, including Amanda Betts, Golriz Ghahraman, Jo Shortland and Rachel Petero - Ko Waikato Te Iwi.
Waikato Women's Fund - from strength to strength
The Waikato Women’s Fund Board elected in May 2020.
From the Momentum Waikato Annual Report 2020 - see full report in PDF.
‘Waahine Toa: Wisdom Shared’ was the iconic empowerment event that cemented the success of the second year of the Waikato Women’s Fund – Te Ira Waahine o Waikato.
This special ‘High Tea’ celebration of women and young girls in the Waikato, held in March 2020, achieved all the goals that lie at the heart of why the Fund exists – to create opportunities, lift each other up, raise expectations, challenge gender roles, lead with purpose, support women-led projects and, most of all, make a real impact!
Pop-up Te Ruru lights up the dark
'Tau Ruru' by Luke McConnell & Jason Long at Te Ruru on Rostrevor...
The Hamilton CBD Development Fund, powered by Momentum Waikato, is chuffed to have been a supporter of the special pop-up edition of the Te Ruru Light Festival held in and around the Innovating Streets space on Hamilton's Rostrevor Street on Friday 11 June.
Pulled together quickly under the umbrella of the Hamilton Art Trust, who run the Boon Street Art Festival, this one-night-only transformative event was enjoyed by a crowd of all ages, bringing art to the people and activating a previously overlooked green space in the city.