Let’s be honest, no one loves talking about Wills. They sit on that same life admin list as cleaning the gutters or finally sorting the junk drawer. But here’s the thing; unlike the gutters, your Will has the power to to create something lasting, something that reaches beyond your lifetime. 

September is Wills Month in New Zealand, which can be used as a time to pause and ask yourself a surprisingly uplifting question: What do I want to be remembered for? 

At Taranaki Foundation, we see every day that you don’t need to be wealthy to leave a lasting mark. A gift in your Will, whether big, small, or somewhere in between, is less about the size of the gift and more about the love and values behind it. Think of it as planting seeds for a garden you might never sit in, but one that future generations will enjoy.  

And here in Taranaki, many people in our community have already chosen to do just that. 

Take Beverley Prankerd, for example. After a lifetime of service in healthcare and supporting others, Beverley has chosen to extend that spirit of care through a charitable gift in her Will through Taranaki Foundation. From her early days nursing in New Plymouth and Stratford, to her years working as a Parkinson’s Field Officer, Beverley has always put people first. Her legacy will ensure those same values of kindness and connection continue to flow through Taranaki for years to come. 

“It’s a really warm feeling to know we can make a difference in causes we care about, even after we’re gone”.  Beverley Prankerd.  

Beverley Prankerd

For Matthew and Marcia Millard, legacy is about gratitude. Originally from the UK, they made Taranaki their home  more than a decade ago and quickly felt embraced by the community. Their decision to leave a bequest and create the M J Millard Fund was motivated by a desire to give back to the region that gave them so much. By structuring their fund to support both causes close to their hearts  and wider community needs, they know they’re planting seeds that will grow long after they’re gone. 

 “We love the idea of giving back to the community that has accepted us so wholeheartedly. It’s very humbling to know that that once we are gone, we will be able to continue to give back to the region that has given us so much.” 

Matthew and Marcia Millard

 For Loren Anderson and Joel Zimmerman, legacy is about looking ahead. With deep family roots in Taranaki and strong ties through volunteering and mentoring, they had always wanted to give back in a lasting way. But it was the birth of their son Abel that brought new clarity. Updating their wills became an opportunity to formalise their commitment, and through Taranaki Foundation, they found a way to ensure their giving will continue to meet local needs for generations to come. 

“Giving through Taranaki Foundation is just common sense for us really. It meets our long-term objective of giving back to the community in a lasting way,” says Joel. 

Loren Anderson and Joel Zimmerman with their son Abel.

Each of these stories is personal and unique, yet together they remind us of something important which is that legacy is not defined by wealth, but by values. It is about what we stand for, the communities we care about, and the future we want to help shape. 

So, as we mark Wills Month this September, we invite you to ask yourself this question: What do you want to be remembered for? 

Because unlike the gutters or the junk drawer, this is one “life admin” job that really will make the world a better place.