Media Releases

Kā Karere

Central Otago multi-million dollar cycle trail project gets financial backing 15 May 2016

A $26.3 million project to connect Central Otago's trail network and create 500 kilometres of continuous trail network will be a "game changer" for the region. Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced at a function in Bannockburn on Sunday the Government would commit around $13 million towards the project, with the Central Lakes Trust contributing $11.15m and the Otago Community Trust contributing $2m.

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$400,000 Boost to Social Service Agencies across Otago 2 May 2016

The Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce it has donated $400,000 to 10 social services organisations in April. Barbara Bridger, Chief Executive comments that “the social services sector is one of our most challenging sectors when it comes to funding.The needs across Otago are not diminishing, we know and appreciate that our social service agencies are constantly encountering increased demand for services and intervention, all whilst the funding landscape is under review”. https://youtu.be/ZRaDbKJXUcQ

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Sports academies: Academy Otago 2016 intake named 23 Apr 2016

New Zealand boxing champion and Queenstown local Richie Hadlow is among a group of Otago athletes who have been named in this year's intake for Academy Otago and Academy Central Otago's talent development programme. Athletes from 13 sports have been accepted into the two-year programme which has been supported by the Otago Community Trust.

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$700,000 Olympic-grade hockey turf unveiled 12 Apr 2016

A new "Olympic grade'' hockey turf servicing Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes was officially unveiled yesterday. Construction began on the turf on Barry Ave in October to replace a sand-based surface. Central Otago Sports Turf Trust chairman Michael Paardekooper said the new surface made the game "much more skilful''. "And compared to the sand turf, if you fall over, you don't get burnt.''

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$20,000 grant for film about Chinese migrants 5 Apr 2016

The Otago Community Trust has made a $20,000 grant to help with the making of a documentary that will retrace the paths different generations of Chinese took to reach Otago. The grant to the Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust was the largest of a series of grants, totalling $77,442, made to 16 organisations by the trust last month.

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Otago Community Trust Supporting Cosy Homes Charitable Trust 4 Apr 2016

The Otago Community Trust is delighted to support the newly established Cosy Homes Charitable Trust in its March funding round with a $14,965 donation. The donation will assist with kick-starting the project, which includes acting as a “one-stop” resource for residents looking for information on improving the health and warmth of their homes, and good energy practices that ultimately save money while reducing environmental impact.

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Otago Community Trust Donations, March 2016 31 Mar 2016

Commemorating our past alongside embracing the use of technology for the future. The Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust has received a $20,000 donation to assist with the cost of making a documentary that will follow the path different generations of Chinese took to reach Otago - thanks to the Otago Community Trust.

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The Otago Community Trust sets Donation Budget for 2016/2017 18 Mar 2016

The Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce that it has set its Donation Budget for the 2016/2017 financial year at $6M. The Trust’s financial year runs from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017. The Trust’s funding programme consists of two programmes - Community Donations and Funding for Change Priorities.

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Grant to bring entrepreneur 3 Mar 2016

iD Dunedin Fashion has benefited from a $15,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust, money it is using to bring Italian entrepreneur and former model Stefan Siegel to Dunedin.

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Otago Community Trust Donations, February 2 Mar 2016

iD Fashion week, Midwinter Carnival, the Otago Rally and the University of Otago - Volunteer Centre (UniCrew) are just a handful of the projects the Otago Community Trust is proud to be advancing support for in February.

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Otago Community Trust, November & December 2015 Donations 18 Dec 2015

Otago Community Trust donates over $1.2 million to 49 Otago organisations.

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Half a Million Dollar Grant to Wanaka Pool 7 Dec 2015

The Otago Community Trust has made its largest donation this year, pledging $500,000 towards the new Wanaka Swimming Pool.