About Us

Trust Waikato’s vision is for vibrant and resilient Waikato communities

Ko too maatou moemoea kia tipu, kia hua ngaa haapori
Family flying kites in the park at a Matariki ki Waikato event
Image courtesy of Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust

Our vision

Trust Waikato – Te Puna o Waikato is one of 12 New Zealand Community Trusts, serving the Waikato region.

Our vision for vibrant and resilient communities is supported by our Ngaa Pou Rautaki and a strategic plan to achieve transformational change for people, whaanau, communities, and places where the need is greatest.

Our mission is to invest wisely, grant effectively, and be operationally agile.

Our Strategy
Mum holding child with a blurred crowd in the background at a Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival event
Image courtesy of Hamilton Arts Festival - Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa

Giving back to the community

Our community trust was established by government statute in 1988 to hold and manage the shares of Trust Bank Waikato, a former regional trustee savings bank. In 1996, our banking shares were sold, and the proceeds of the sale invested to build a global investment portfolio.

Trust Waikato – Te Puna o Waikato has managed those investments, using a portion of the profits each year to support community groups and projects throughout the Waikato region. To date, over $297 million of grants have been approved for funding since our inception in 1989.

Our History

Building capacity in our community

Meet the organisations who help strengthen and build capacity with community groups:

Community Waikato
Creative Waikato
Sport Waikato

Waikato Community Funders Group

Meet some of the other local funders that are creating positive outcomes for people and places across Waikato