Around our maunga, an energy exists — one that drives passionate people across our rohe to get things done, to improve lives, and to support one another. It is a spirit of resilience, generosity and community, and it is from this same drive that Taranaki Foundation was born.

Established in 2015, Taranaki Foundation is a charitable foundation created for the people of Taranaki, by the people of Taranaki. Our vision is to nurture and grow the long-term prosperity of our region through community giving, partnerships and philanthropy.

We connect generous donors with the causes and projects they care most about. Our smarter giving model invests and grows donations, distributing the investment returns earned so that each gift keeps giving — supporting Taranaki communities today and into the future. Every contribution, large or small, helps build a permanent legacy for our people and our whenua.

Taranaki’s people are known for doing things their own way, and we reflect that same flexibility and agility. Donors can give in ways that suit them — one-off or regular, individual or corporate and choose who benefits from their generosity. Taranaki Foundation provides the charitable framework, governance and expert financial oversight to make giving effective and enduring.

Since our founding, the Foundation has grown into a trusted hub for giving in Taranaki. We celebrate the vision of our founding Chairs, Ken Horner and Paul Goldsmith. Following their tenure, Bryce Barnett became Chair and his leadership shaped the Foundation’s wider growth, including steering Destination Kāwaroa from vision to reality. We are grateful to all who have supported us on our journey – past and present supporters, partners, advocates, trustees, committee members and staff who continue to champion the power of local generosity. 

Since our establishment, we have supported a wide range of groups and initiatives that strengthen our community. Through a growing programme of grassroots distributions, we are creating a lasting legacy through the generosity of our donors.

This spirit of collaboration also shines through in larger community-led projects we’ve partnered on including Ngāmotu Marae, Ngāti Te Whiti, the Rural Medical Immersion Programme in Hāwera, YMCA’s rough sleeping shelter and Destination Kāwaroa.

Today, we are proud to be part of Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. As one of 18 community foundations nationwide, we work collectively to support communities across Aotearoa and make a real, lasting difference through local generosity.

Working alongside generous locals and partners, we are building a culture of giving that supports the people, places and projects that matter most. Together, we are creating a prosperous, vibrant Taranaki — now and for generations to come.

“Our success is built on the generosity and dedication of many. Together, we are creating something of lasting value for our community – and I look forward to what we can achieve in the years ahead.” — Phil Hinton, Chair, Taranaki Foundation