The Horner’s established their Endowment Fund in June 2016, originally contributing a small amount each month until the Fund reached the distribution level.

In 2015 Ken and Paul Goldsmith were the founding Trustees of the Foundation, with Ken serving as the first Chair for seven years. In 2023, he retired as a Trustee of the Taranaki Foundation and was appointed as the inaugural Patron for the Taranaki Foundation.

“Ken was very involved in setting up this foundation,” Jennifer says. “Our families have always been strong community people – I’m fifth generation in South Taranaki and Ken is third.”

Just out of Hāwera, the Horner property, Puketarata, a NZ Gardens Trust, Garden of International Significance has been carefully created over four decades. It has been part of the Taranaki Garden Festival  for many years. Now it is time to move on and hopefully another family will enjoy living in South Taranaki.

They, their parents and grandparents have been involved in a wide variety of community activities including the Egmont A&P Show, Hāwera County Council, school and kindergarten committees and boards, Taranaki Farmers Co-op, Egmont House at Massey, the Hāwera Gas Company, Rotary, the Hāwera Star and the Bridge Club.

Ken’s father Alan helped lead the TSB Bank board from a trust bank, through its evolution into an independent Taranaki-owned bank. Jennifer’s grandfather Griff Williams from Ohangai, was the first Chairman of Pukeiti.

“It’s important to help future generations,” Jennifer says. “I think it’s going to be a lot tougher out there for future youth to achieve their goals and aspirations.”

Ken sees the Taranaki Foundation as a significant asset for the region. “As the Funds managed by the Foundation grow, we will have a substantial capital base to support our region,” Ken says.

“If everyone gave a little the whole province would be a lot better endowed,” Jennifer says. “It’s a privilege to live in Taranaki – we are very lucky. It’s beautiful. The lifestyle here is easy but it requires a bit of work to keep it like that. This is just one way of under-pinning the wonderful qualities of the place and the people.”

“We thought we should lead by example,” says Ken, “Taranaki Foundation ticks the boxes as a most effective and efficient means of charitable giving.”

The Horner’s Fund reached a distribution level a few years ago, enabling them to support various local organisations through the Taranaki Foundation Annual Funding Round. Through their Fund, they have supported START Taranaki, Blue Light Te Ara Tika Driving Licensing Programme and Horses Helping Humans Taranaki, Hōiho Hāpai Hapori.