Trust Horizon reflects on Trust Deed change in 2026 Community Update

Trust Horizon has released its 2026 Community Update, including reflections on the progress of its Private Bill through Parliament – which has unlocked the Trust’s potential to provide millions more in charitable funding.

The Community Update shares a collection of granting highlights from across the year. In 2025/2026, Trust Horizon approved 91% of the 216 applications received, and matched the prior year’s total of $3.4 million in community grants. This brings Trust Horizon’s lifetime total to $55,238,773.

From sports clubs to marae, this year’s funding covered a wide range of organisations and charities. Tāneatua Rugby Football Club continued the revitalisation of the facility with a $197,475 grant towards a major electrical upgrade. An enhanced mobile emergency response trailer is now ensuring Matatā will be able to respond and communicate during natural disasters and emergencies.

The Trust increased its Community Energy Contribution Grant pool by $50,000, bringing the total pool to $200,000. Since March 2025, the fund has provided 123 marae and community groups with up to $2,500 towards their facility’s power bill.

For Poroporo Marae, the $115,294 grant received to contribute to a new commercial kitchen has been transformational. “We genuinely appreciate not only the funding provided but also the guidance, encouragement, and commitment throughout this journey,” says Romana Graham, Poroporo Marae Chairperson. “It has been a pleasure and our community in Poroporo is excited for our new kitchen.”

Trust Horizon’s focus on impact investing also continued with an investment in Pioneer Energy Group, the owners of the Aniwhenua hydro power station. The investment was made alongside a Māori and impact investment collective to support the company’s pioneering work in the environmentally responsible processing of organic waste.

In the update, The Trust also reflects on the progress of their Private Bill through parliament. The Bill sees a change to the Trust Deed that will widen the Trust’s granting efforts from energy-related projects to include other charitable purposes. Trustees expect to be able to accept applications that support other charitable purposes from 1 April 2027.

“The Bill has made steady progress through parliament this year, and since the Annual Update went to print, we have had the news that it has been passed,” says Trust Horizon Chair, David Glover. “This change marks an exciting new era for Trust Horizon, and for organisations throughout the Eastern Bay, who now have the opportunity to receive funding from the Trust for a far wider range of projects and services.”

The Trust wishes to thank all members of the public who provided feedback and engaged with Trust Horizon throughout the process, staff and our legal team, as well as MP for East Coast Dana Kirkpatrick for supporting the bill through parliament.

Trust Horizon’s 2026 Public Meeting will take place on 29th October from 10-11am. This meeting will be open to the general public, providing an opportunity for feedback on Trust Horizon’s business plans, audited accounts, annual reports, and other matters. Please email reception@trusthorizon.org.nz if you wish to attend or speak at this year’s meeting.

For the full Trust Horizon’s 2026 Community Update, download it here. The update will also be distributed with the 23 September Beacon and 24 September Ōpōtiki News.

You can download the 2026 Trust Horizon financial statements here.