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Our Stories

Taranaki Foundation connects generous people and organisations to activities that nurture and build the prosperity of our region through community giving, partnerships and philanthropy.

Read our latest inspiring stories.

Announcing the Inaugural Recipient of the John Wood Memorial Scholarship

13 November 2024

Taranaki Foundation is proud to announce George Stephens as the inaugural John Wood Memorial Scholarship recipient.

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Hāwera Hospital to Train Medical Students in Rural Immersion Programme

30 October 2024

On October 29th, an event at the South Taranaki Council Chamber marked the announcement that Hāwera Hospital will host three fifth-year medical students for a full year of rural medical undergraduate training, starting in February next year.

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The Debbie McCallum Fund

20 August 2024

In 2016, Debbie McCallum, a former Foundation Trustee established the Debbie McCallum Fund to give back to the sport that has given her so much.

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Talking to Clients about Philanthropy: Now that you know the why, here’s the how.

15 August 2024

Starting philanthropic conversations with clients can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can make a meaningful impact.

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A Full-Circle Legacy of Community Impact and Generosity

14 Aug 2024

Beverley Prankerd is leaving a lasting legacy through a bequest to the Taranaki Foundation, showcasing her lifelong commitment to community impact and generosity in Taranaki.

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Championing Charitable Conversations: Insights with Aaron Foley

14 Aug 2024

Meet Aaron Foley, Principal at Halliwells in Hāwera, who uses his expertise to give back to the community where he grew up.

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Taranaki Foundation & The Tindall Foundation Strengthen Community Partnership

8 August 2024

The Taranaki Foundation and The Tindall Foundation are delighted to announce their continued collaboration to enhance community well-being across Taranaki.

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Strategy Collective Partners with Taranaki Foundation

24 July 2024

Strategy Collective, a New Plymouth-based design and marketing agency, has partnered with Taranaki Foundation as an operational supporter to help tell the Taranaki Foundation story through strategic marketing and PR support.

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The John Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund

In 2024, The John Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with Taranaki Foundation to provide an annual scholarship assistance for a New Plymouth Boys' High School student.

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Legacy living on with new scholarship

17 July 2024

Taranaki Foundation introduces The Fergusson Fund Media Scholarship, in partnership with The Taranaki Daily News.

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Youth art awards celebrate emerging talent

3 July 2024

Standing room only at the 2024 Taranaki Foundation Emergence Art Awards.

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Enriching communities: Creating lasting change through corporate giving and partnerships

1 July 2024

Powerful transformation happens when our community gives together.

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Taranaki Foundation Farewells Mark Bowden, Trustee and Chair of Distribution Committee

26 June 2024

The Taranaki Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to Mark Bowden for his dedicated service on the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Distribution Committee since 2020.

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Taranaki Youth Boost Doubles Support for Local Talent

26 June 2024

Taranaki Youth Boost is set to double in size with a new look, new name and the level of annual boosts doubling from additional investment and support.

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Strengthening Communities: Introducing the Taranaki Regional Disaster Relief Fund

10 June 2024

Extreme weather events are happening more often, both here in New Zealand and around the world. They remind us how vulnerable we are and the need to proactively prepare now for when the worst happens. 

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Janine Evans marks special birthday by creating legacy community gift

30 April 2024

Janine Evans, about to celebrate her 65th birthday, is marking this milestone with more than cake and balloons – she’s creating a personal legacy for the community through Taranaki Foundation. 

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Celebrating the Ohangai School Scholarship Legacy

29 April 2024

Congratulations to Rebecca Smythe and Hayley Gavin - the most recent Ohangai Centennial Teaching Scholarship recipients.

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Local firm Clelands Construction awarded main contract for Destination Play at Kāwaroa

17 April 2024

Construction contract awarded to Clelands Construction for Destination Play at Kāwaroa

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The art of balancing immediate needs with long-term impact

10 April 2024

Powerful transformation happens when our community gives together.

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Blessing and ground-breaking signal start of Destination Play at Kāwaroa

19 March 2024

Special blessing ceremony and ground-breaking at Kāwaroa Park mark the official commencement of the project.

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Taranaki Foundation welcomes new trustees

22 February 2024

It's our pleasure to introduce Selwyn Metcalfe and Aaron Foley who have recently joined our team of Trustees.

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Weekend of events returns to honour the memory of Steve ‘Coach’ McKean.

20 February 2024

Two Sporting tournaments will be held next month to honour 'Coach" and raise money for The 'Coach' McKean Fund.

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Emergence Art Awards 2024: Stories of Inspiration from Past Winners

1 February 2024

As the Taranaki Foundation Emergence Art Awards 2024 approaches two previous winners share the impact these awards had on their artistic journey.

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Congratulations to the 2023 Rudi Milesi Scholarship Recipients!

11 January 2024

Zoe Carter and Tayla Steele have been selected as the recipients of the 2023 Rudi Milesi Scholarships.

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A Tale of Generosity and Community: Bringing Destination Play at Kāwaroa to Life

1 January 2024

As we step into the promise of a new year, we reflect with gratitude on the journey that has brought us to the brink of realising a shared dream—Destination Play at Kāwaroa.

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Destination Play at Kāwaroa: Pushing the Play Button

18 December 2023

The eagerly anticipated Destination Play at Kāwaroa is on the verge of becoming a reality.

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Taranaki Foundation Announces 2023 Grant Recipients

1 Dec 2023

Gifts totalling $127,516 were recently granted to 47 local groups. individuals and charities through the Taranaki Foundation annual funding round.

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Fergusson Fund

Glen passed away in November 2022 and through a gift in his will, Glen will be enabling scholarships for Taranaki students specifically in the areas of journalism and photography.

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Local man leaves enduring legacy for East Taranaki Environmental Collective

17 Nov 2023

A thoughtful bequest, a BIG impact!

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A Simple Solution for Struggling Charitable Trusts

23 Oct 2023

For the next chapter of your Trust’s story, Taranaki Foundation is a safe pair of hands.

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Destination Play at Kāwaroa: Exciting Developments Announced

18 October 2023

Taranaki Foundation is excited to report the completion of Stage One's detailed design for Destination Play at Kāwaroa, and the process for funding the main contractor has begun.

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Transforming Intentions into Impact

6 October 2023

We are delighted to present our Annual Impact Report for 2022/ 23.

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Building a Healthier Future: Introducing the Taranaki Health Fund

5 September 2023

New Fund enables legacy gifting to Taranaki healthcare.

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Eleven athletes benefit from a new funding opportunity through the Coach McKean Fund

14 Aug 2023

Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2023 Coach McKean Small Grants Fund

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Welcome to our new Board Members

23 July 2023

New Trustees bring experience, passion and new perspectives to the Taranaki Foundation Board

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Congratulations to the 2023 Cliff Perrett Memorial Fund Scholarship Recipients

8 June 2023

We are proud to announce that Bachelor of Nursing students Olivia Ryder and Billie-Jean James have been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Cliff Perrett Memorial Fund Scholarship.

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Founding trustees speak of their pride as they step down from Taranaki Foundation

11 May 2023

Taranaki Foundation founding co-chairs and trustees Ken Horner and Paul Goldsmith have spoken of their pride as they step down from their roles after eight years’ service.

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Cybergrape partners with Taranaki Foundation

1 May 2023

Cybergrape, have partnered with the Taranaki Foundation as an operational supporter focused on helping keep us safe online.

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Destination Play at Kawaroa starting to take shape

18 April 2023

Progress is happening at pace behind the scenes to transform Kāwaroa Park into a much-needed community space devoted to providing a fun, exciting, accessible, and family-friendly space for all ages.

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Brookdell Fear Trust Fund

3 April 2023

In December 2022 the Brookdell Fear Trust Fund was created together with the Taranaki Foundation.

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Expression of Interest: Trustee Vacancy

30 March 2023

Taranaki Foundation is calling for Expressions of Interest for two Trustee vacancies.

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Congratulations to Josh Bird, Ohangai Centennial Teaching Scholarship recipient

10 March 2023

We are proud to announce that Josh Bird is the most recent recipient of the Ohangai Centennial Teaching Scholarship.

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Weekend of events to honour memory of Steve ‘Coach’ McKean

20 February 2023

In memory of 'Coach': basketball and golf tournaments to honour the late Steve McKean and raise funds for McKean's fund

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Realising a wish to make a long-lasting difference

5 February 2023

Leaving a gift or bequest in your Will is a big decision to make. Marcia and Matthew Millard recently chose to leave a bequest through Taranaki Foundation - a decision they made for two reasons.

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Congratulations to our 2022 Rudi Milesi Scholarship Recipients!

26 January 2023

We are proud to announce that Tayla Steele and Anne Larcom have been selected as the recipients of the 2022 Rudi Milesi Scholarships.

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Why should you make giving to charity your New Year’s resolution?

30 December 2022

The best New Year’s resolutions? They’re the ones that also help others.

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Ten questions with Taranaki Foundation Chair, Bryce Barnett on Destination Play at Kāwaroa

8 December 2022

Progress is happening at pace behind the scenes to transform New Plymouth’s Kāwaroa Park into a world-class space devoted to providing a fun, exciting, accessible, and family-friendly place to meet, share, strive and learn.

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Making an Intergenerational Impact

8 December 2022

“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"

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Taranaki Foundation announces 2022 Grant Recipients  

25 November 2022

Gifts totalling $109,473 were recently granted to 37 local groups, individuals, and charities through the Taranaki Foundation annual funding round.

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Destination Play at Kāwaroa – community fundraising campaign launched!

22 October 2022

The Taranaki Foundation is asking for the help of our community to fund the last $1 million for the Destination Play site at New Plymouth's Kawaroa Park.

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