Momentum Waikato Update - October 2025
Published on 30 October, 2025
We need a culture of generosity
By David Christiansen, Executive Officer, Momentum Waikato.
Faced with ongoing challenges around meeting their needs and aspirations, communities defined by their location or common interests are increasingly taking matters into their own hands.
We encounter this whenever we connect with the wide range of groups across the region committed to improving social supports, restoring nature, and other causes.
The over-arching purpose of Momentum Waikato is to create a culture of generosity – one where everyone is keen to support their locality or cause with money or time, whether it is through us or not.
The philanthropic investment model of community foundations like Momentum makes giving more effective, and it works just as well for collective efforts to build support and resilience as it does for individuals creating legacies.
Our strategy in this space therefore reflects the nature of the community groups and networks we meet - they are either ‘place based’ or ‘purpose based’, so that defines those endowments we manage that are open to public donations.
Calling all lawyers, accountants and other professional advisors...
You're invited to An Evening of Connection and Conversation!
Join us on Tuesday 18 November 2025 from 4.45pm to 7.00pm in the Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens, for an engaging evening hosted by Momentum Waikato Community Foundation.
Connect with fellow estate-planning professionals during a dynamic panel featuring esteemed speakers, including Dame Margaret Wilson and Dr Joan Forret, as they share insights on philanthropy and community impact.
Don't miss the chance to network, forge valuable connections, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stunning Medieval Garden!
Spaces are limited, RSVP by 7 November at info@momentumwaikato.nz.
We can’t wait to see you there!
ALSO check out our new vid clip aimed at Professional Advisors...
Featuring lawyer and Community Champion Charlotte Chuen.
Sir Stephen backs launch of Mercury Bay Future Fund
The doors of the Coro Club's Main Hangar were open for a pleasant spring evening and enthusiastic chatter filled the air as local community and business leaders gathered on a mid-October evening for the launch of the Mercury Bay Future Fund.
If the support shown by the eighty-strong crowd is any indication, then the Coromandel ’Future Funds’ are off to an excellent start.
The biggest name to speak was Sir Stephen Tindall (pictured above), founder of The Warehouse and now both a leading philanthropist and the principal facilitator of community-based philanthropy in New Zealand.
“I cannot speak more highly of community foundations, they are the best idea I have ever come across, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work they have done,” said Sir Stephen.
“The reason why they work is the fact that they are community foundations. When governments can’t afford to fund things, you have to rely on local people.”
Read more on the launch event for the Mercury Bay Future Fund.
Read more on our Coromandel Funds project.
Leaving a gift to Raglan in his Will…
Let’s call him ‘a Raglan local’.
He’s a bloke who has lived in the popular seaside town for many years, a keen and adept surfer with a lifestyle and career designed to keep him at the beach.
Not getting any younger, he and his wife recently wrote their Wills, and he’s eager to share what they realised along the way and then decided to do - but know he’s asked not to be identified here as it is a bit personal and Whāingaroa is a small place.
To hear and tell his tale, your Momentum Waikato reporter sat down with the Raglan local at WYLD, a cool café on the main drag Bow Street.
He gets straight to the point: “You never think you’re going to get old, but then you realise you’ve only got so many summers left.”
“Everyone reaches their ‘ripeness’, when it is time to give the end of your life some serious consideration, you can try to ignore it, but this party IS going to end sometime,” he says with a rueful smile.
Read more of this new Giving Story.
Philanthropy: Building Better Communities
By Stephen Town, Momentum Waikato trustee.
When I think about what truly strengthens a community, I come back to vision.
Every great endeavour begins with clarity of purpose - an understanding of what kind of place we want to build together. But vision alone is never enough. It needs resources, it needs partnership, and it needs the connective power of philanthropy.
Philanthropy, at its best, doesn’t just fill gaps - it builds resilience.
Government and local councils play a vital role in providing infrastructure and essential services, yet they cannot always meet the nuanced needs and aspirations of people on the ground. Communities are complex, living systems, and often their greatest wants are not captured neatly in a budget line.
This is where philanthropy steps in, not as a replacement, but as a catalyst - unlocking possibilities that otherwise remain out of reach.
Zealong is now our Gift Partner
We are very pleased to announce that Zealong is now the Gift Partner of Momentum Waikato.
Their world-class products certainly do make ideal presents when we want to recognise the contributions and efforts of our donors, friends and supporters.
Our launch event for the Coromandel Future Funds in Whitianga last week was the first time we have presented Zealong gifts and they were very well received.
We thank the Zealong team wholeheartedly. Here's what they have to say about this exciting development...
Shamubeel Eaqub speaks on social cohesion in Aotearoa
The Waikato Intercultural Fund team with Shamubeel Eaqub (centre-left).
The Waikato Intercultural Fund team are proud to have hosted the second event in our Whiria te Tāngata speaker series on Tuesday 21 October at Wintec.
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub shared findings from the 'Social Cohesion in New Zealand 2024' report, showing that while most of us feel proud to belong to Aotearoa, many still experience disconnection, inequality, and discrimination.
How do we solve this disconnect? There’s no magic button to press, but we can make progress through action, empathy and a shared sense of purpose.
So, tell us… what’s one small action we can each take to strengthen connection where we live?
Massive thanks to our event partner - Craigs Investment Partners and our many supporters for helping make this event possible.
Waikato Women's Fund grants for 2025
Kia ora koutou, it's a pleasure to announce the recipients of the Waikato Women’s Fund grant round for 2025:
Insight Endometriosis Charitable Trust
SheENG at Waikato
Waikato Arab Social Club Retreat for Women and Girls
Thrive Otorohanga Youth Trust.
Each organisation or programme will this year receive a grant of $4,880.
The process of recipient selection is through membership voting, so a huge thanks to those of you who voted for the Waikato Women’s Fund to support the above groups.