The Guiding Principles for the Waikato Women’s Fund (DRAFT)
Published on 2 September, 2025
1. OUR KAUPAPA
Our Origin Story
From November 2017 a small group of Waikato women guided by Momentum Waikato Community Foundation (Momentum) started meeting together to discuss setting up a women’s fund for the Waikato region. The aim was to follow the example of the Auckland Foundation Women’s Fund, created to harness the growing global opportunity of philanthropy for women by women.
After attending and being inspired by Auckland Foundation’s Women Give event in March 2018 this establishment group, chaired by Michelle Howie, launched the Waikato Women’s Fund - Te Ira Waahine o Waikato on 31 July 2018 at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton, with the support of Dellwyn Stuart, CEO of Auckland Foundation, and Gill Greer, CE of National Council of Women. The Fund acknowledges the contribution of all the women involved in the foundation phase. We stand on their shoulders and carry their vision forward:
Rachel Afeaki - Melissa Gibson - Janice Lapwood - Cheryl Reynolds
Nancy Caiger - Natasha Harvey - Amy McLean - Pam Roa
Jackie Colliar - Michelle Howie - Parekawhia McLean - Gemma Slack
Bev Gatenby - Charlotte Isaac - Kay Montgomery
The Fund is a living giving circle and our members are a collective of waahine and allies who pool their puutea, time, and care to create change together. While each contribution may seem small on its own, together they carry immense power. Rooted in generosity and guided by our shared values, the Fund makes grants that uplift women, girls, and their communities across the Waikato. It is a space where the strength of many fuels the dreams of the next - a circle of giving, grounded in heart.
These Guiding Principles are not set in stone — this document is a living, breathing expression of our values and kaupapa that will evolve as the Fund does. It captures the intent of the founders to govern the Fund in a manner that reflects the concept of a giving circle, where collective wisdom guides direction and solves challenges.
Who Guides Us
We act in trust for waahine and kootiro across the Waikato region — diverse in identity, experience, and community. They are our guiding light.
Who Governs Us
Momentum is the umbrella charitable organisation for the Fund. Momentum’s endowment fund exists in perpetuity to benefit the Waikato community. Donations to the Fund flow into a named fund held within Momentum’s endowment fund, growing steadily to support present and future generations. The Fund’s original Relationship Agreement with Momentum (dated 4 February 2019) has been replaced with these Guiding Principles (1 September 2025) recognising Momentum as the ultimate governor of the Fund, its granting, receiving of donations , and communications activity.
Our Purpose - Why We Exist
Our purpose is to support women and girls to achieve their aspirations through the power of collective giving and connection.
How We Live This Purpose
We live our purpose by nurturing our giving circle — growing a fund, making impactful grants, and celebrating waahine and kootiro and their communities.
Our Values – The Heart of How We Do Things
Kotahitanga – We stand together in unity and solidarity.
Manaakitanga – We welcome, care, and show generosity to all.
Whanaungatanga – We honour our relationships, past and present.
Kaitiakitanga – We act as guardians of our kaupapa, our puutea, and our stories.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, acknowledging the mana of taangata whenua and grounding ourselves in values-based, inclusive practice.
2. COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP: THE KAITIAKI CIRCLE
From Committee to Circle
We no longer operate as a traditional governance committee. Instead, we nurture a Kaitiaki Circle - a fluid, collective leadership model that honours energy, relationships, and contribution. This model enables more waahine to step into leadership in ways that work for their lives, without requiring formal titles or fixed roles.
Kaitiaki Circle Roles
Kaitiaki Circle roles are areas of care - open invitations to contribute. Anyone in our giving circle can step into one or more roles during a season of contribution.
Kaitiaki o te Takoha – Granting Guides
Support the granting process, guide the funding kaupapa.
Kaitiaki Tipu – Growth Champions
Help grow awareness and run giving campaigns to invite donors into the circle.
Kaitiaki Koorero – Story Weavers
Collect and share our donors’ and grant recipients’ stories of giving and impact.
Kaitiaki Hononga – Membership Connectors
Welcome new members into the circle and nurture our community threads.
Kaiwhakatere – The Navigator
Lightly coordinate communications, hui, and collective flow. This role rotates rather than be long term for any one person. This will be fulfilled by someone within Momentum if a member of the Fund isn’t in the role.
How We Work Together
Fluidity Over Formality: Kaitiaki can step in and step back as needed.
Open Hui: We gather quarterly to align and reconnect, either with Kaitiaki together, or sometimes with an open invitation to the Fund members to connect.
Shared Resources: Centralised tools (e.g. granting criteria, comms templates) live in our shared digital space within Momentum.
Relational First: Leadership flows from care, not control.
3. FINANCE IN FLOW: STEWARDING THE PUUTEA
Our Financial Ecosystem
All financial management is carried out by Momentum, the Fund’s home and backbone organisation. This includes:
Investment of the Future Fund
Distribution of grants
Charitable reporting
Receipting donations.
Momentum Charities Register Number: CC49535
Designated Account: 12-3476-0003665-51
How Funds Are Held
Future Fund: Endowment invested for perpetuity - 80% of investment returns will be available annually for granting.
Today Fund: Donations made with an instruction to give now will be distributed in the same financial year as per the donors wishes.
4. GRANTING WITH HEART: THE GIVING PROCESS
Purpose
To empower waahine and kootiro by funding initiatives that support their aspirations, self-determination, and wellbeing.
Granting Model
We will grow the Future Fund (endowment) and Today Fund (immediate use donations), with granting activity aligned to Momentum’s Trust Deed and charitable purpose.
Granting Process – led by Kaitiaki o te Takoha
Priority areas are set at hui (either in-person, online or through email communications), informed by lived experience, data, and community voices.
A shortlist is developed by the Kaitiaki o te Takoha with community input.
Members are engaged in providing feedback or insight.
Granting decisions are finalised and submitted to Momentum for approval.
Grant recipients are notified, celebrated, and invited to share their stories.
Principles
Minimal barriers for applicants.
Trust-based, relational granting.
Accountability is right-sized — stories over paperwork.
Conflicts of interest are disclosed, and those with conflicts step aside.
5. INVITING DONORS IN: GROWING OUR FUND
Fundraising activities are led by our Kaitiaki Tipu (Growth Champions), with support from the wider circle and Momentum, to bring more members into our giving circle.
We’re a giving circle, not a campaign. Everyone who gives - of time, puutea, energy or story - is a member of our circle. Giving is celebrated in all forms. We engage donors through:
Campaigns such as “Women Who Give”
Personal invitations
Authentic storytelling.
Channels We Use
Email (via Mailchimp)
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
In-person hui and events
Our website via Momentum’s platform
Storytelling by our Kaitiaki Koorero.
6. OUR VOICE: TELL STORIES THAT REFLECT WHO WE ARE
Storytelling is led by our Kaitiaki Koorero (Story Weavers), with support from the wider circle and Momentum. They will:
Use language that uplifts women and girls.
Highlight lived experience, reciprocity, and whaanau.
Tell our stories with care and creativity.
Ensure clarity and transparency.
7. CONNECTION
New members are welcomed by our Kaitiaki Hononga (Membership Connectors). They nurture our connection to each other, and connect us to interesting waahine who can share their experiences with us.
8. INVITATION TO STEP IN
We believe everyone has something meaningful to offer. Whether it's time, storytelling, energy, or puutea, each contribution strengthens our collective impact. We operate with trust, fluidity, and aroha — that means leadership is shared, flexible, and always open to new energy.
So we have purposefully moved away from a traditional committee structure, towards a shared care model under the umbrella of Momentum as the trusted governor of the fund. This model trusts women to step forward when called — not through rigid roles or long-term commitments, but through seasons of contribution.
This section is here to help you understand how to step into a Kaitiaki role during your own season of contribution. Expressions of interest are always welcome. Whether for one campaign, one year, or one story — your presence is valued.
What Does "Stepping In" Mean?
Stepping in means taking on a Kaitiaki role to help move the mahi forward. It’s not about having the perfect skills or a formal title. It’s about being present, bringing your unique experience, and contributing in a way that works for you. There’s no formal appointment - just willingness, heart, and connection.
How to Step In
1. Feel the pull
If you feel drawn to help with something - even if you’re unsure how - that’s the first step. You don’t need to wait to be asked.
2. Reach out
Contact another Kaitiaki, come to a hui, or koorero with the Kaiwhakatere or someone from Momentum. You could say something as simple as:
“I’d love to help with stories” or “I have a bit of time right now – where could I be useful?”
3. Join a hui
Attend one of our hui. This helps orient you, connect with others, and understand where the current energy is.
4. Start small
You don’t need to take on a big project. Every action matters. You might:
Review a funding application
Welcome a new member
Write a short blurb for a post
Share a story at an event.
5. Flow with life
Step in when you can. Step back when you need to. There is no pressure to commit forever - only to contribute as you are able.
Supporting You
There are no wrong questions — just come as you are. You’ll be supported by others in the circle. Shared tools and templates live in Momentum’s digital space, and Momentum will provide appropriate backbone support (like admin, comms, or event help).
Kaitiaki Circle Approval
Leadership within the Kaitiaki Circle flows from care, not control. If you align with our Guiding Principles, you belong. We also recognise that community isn’t always seamless - sometimes disagreement or discomfort may arise. Momentum will hold the role of approving new members of the Kaitiaki Circle, and, if needed, will support resolution and realignment.
When No One Steps Forward
If, at any time, no one has stepped into a Kaitiaki role, Momentum may contact a past committee member or current member of the Fund to request that they help rally the circle. While the Fund can operate without active Kaitiaki for much of the year, at least one person will be needed to guide the granting process. In that case, Momentum may invite a member to assist with running the process. If Momentum believes the Fund would benefit from new energy or a review of these Guiding Principles, it may take any steps it deems necessary to generate engagement — including reaching out directly to members or convening a hui.
When There is Strong Kaitiaki Participation
If the number of active Kaitiaki in a season creates a need for more coordination, Momentum will email all Kaitiaki to invite volunteers to step forward as Kaiwhakatere for a defined season of contribution. Ideally, there will always be one Kaiwhakatere in place, but this role will remain fluid and responsive to capacity.
Together, we give. Together, we lead. Together, we grow the future for waahine and kootiro in the Waikato.
Glossary of Reframed Language
Old Term > New Term
Committee
Kaitiaki Circle
Committee Role
Kaitiaki Responsibility
Kaitiaki o te Takoha – Granting Guides
Kaitiaki Tipu – Growth Champions
Kaitiaki Koorero – Story Weavers
Kaitiaki Hononga – Membership Connectors
Chair
Kaiwhakatere - Navigator
Term
Season of Contribution
Recruitment
Invitation to Step In
