Trust Horizon shares highlights of the year with 2021 Community Update

Trust Horizon has published its 2021 Community Update, outlining the highlights of another great year of positive change in the Eastern Bay community. 

Trust Horizon has supported a wide range of projects throughout 2020 and 2021, approving a total of $1.45million in grants. Projects highlighted in the update include new lighting for the Kawerau District Council’s skatepark, the highly anticipated pool cover for the Whakatāne Aquatic Centre, the community distribution of energy efficient LED light bulbs, the building of a new Technology and Research Centre in the heart of Ōpōtiki, and more. The Trust also continued its long-held support of the Retrofit Insulation Scheme, with a $400,000 grant bringing Trust Horizon’s total contribution over 23 years to more than $11million. 

A major highlight of the year was the Trust’s investment in Whakatōhea Mussels (Ōpōtiki) Ltd. – winners of the Supreme Business Awards at the 2021 Horizon Energy Group Business Excellence Awards. Trust Horizon’s $1.5million investment in 2020 has since helped create over 200 new jobs in Ōpōtiki, and enabled the establishment of a wider aquaculture industry in the Eastern Bay.

“The Trust’s investment in Ōpōtiki’s Whakatōhea Mussels is a great example of our strategic focus on impact investing,” says Trust Horizon Chairman, Aaron Milne. “We have built on this strategy throughout 2020 and 2021, and aim to continue to support projects that will bring long-lasting benefits to the region.”

Trust Horizon received a total of 34 applications, and 94% were approved. The Trust sees this as a testament to the great work of the Eastern Bay’s businesses and community organisations. “We would like to extend our thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to help create positive change in their community,” says Milne. “Without their vision and drive, these innovative and transformational projects simply wouldn’t have been possible.”

The Trust also wishes to thank the Trust Horizon team and Horizon Energy Group for their contribution – including retiring trustee Don Lewell, and Rawinia Kamau, who departed as Trust Manager in 2020. “We wish those who have left the Trust this year all the best, and thank them for their outstanding contribution,” says Milne. “We also recognise the hard work of our trustees in delivering the Trust’s mission of enabling people, pride, and prosperity. We look forward to continuing to deliver on that mission in 2022, and beyond.”

Trust Horizon’s 2021 Community Update can be downloaded here, and will also be distributed with Wednesday’s 22 September Beacon and Thursday’s 23 September Ōpōtiki News.

A copy of the 2021 Trust Horizon financial statements can be downloaded here.