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A garden party for a good cause

Thirty women toured the garden of Linda Virbickas in Otakiri before sitting down under the shady trees to enjoy lunch and an interesting speech by Lou Hunt, accompanied by music from Rangitikei College students.Lou, who has just moved to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, shared her love of the ocean and seizing opportunities in life. She spoke of her roles diving in the Bahamas, surveying the ocean south of New Zealand, working in Wellington on government policy, her roles working with Climate change p...

Focusing on Mental Wellbeing in the Eastern Bay

Tawera Nikau NZOM, is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated Rugby League internationals.Tawera Nikau’s journey is one of overcoming adversity, mental strength, and leadership. He has faced significant life challenges, both on and off the field, and has emerged as a true example of resilience and strength. His story is one of triumph in the face of life’s toughest moments and provides invaluable lessons for anyone looking to grow through adversity.Tawera spoke with Rangitahi at Tarawera Coll...

A vision for future community healthcare in the Ōpōtiki District

In early March 2025 the Eastern Bay Community Foundation announced the agreement with Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust with the creation of a new community endowment fund – safeguarding and growing the future of healthcare in Ōpōtiki.Lyn Riesterer, Chair of the Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust, says that Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust wishes to maximise our financial potential and continue to grow the community's health fund as part of its current strategic plan.  She states that...

February 2025 Newsletter

We kick off 2025 with a fun inspiring community fundraising event - an evening with Tawera Nikau - tickets are selling now!In this newsletter we launch the 2025 Women's Impact Fund, give an update on the continued success and impact of Ōpōtiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund, detail Give and Get back - ways to supercharge your giving, and a welcome to our new trustee Dean Cole....

Supercharging your giving – give and get your tax back

Giving into our communities, both through our time and our resources, plays an important part in the kiwi psyche. Here in New Zealand, we understand and support a giving culture, however what is not widely understood is the part played, and the rationale behind, our country’s tax incentives to promote giving and philanthropy.How does it work? In a nutshell, 33% of what we give to charitable causes can essentially be claimed back through a tax rebate*. So, if you make a donation of $30, you can...

Launch of 2025 Eastern Bay Womens Impact Fund

Would you like to be a supporter of the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund?An exciting group of women coming together to make an impactful difference in our community. In 2024, the Impact Fund was able to make two large contributions to Mums4Mums and to Whakatane Financial Mentoring Services, as well as smaller contributions to the Mona Lickfold Trust (Cancer Support) and ELP Kiwi English classes. Are you keen to be a donor in 2025 and be part of our exciting giving circle?To find out mor...

Download a list of Community Services in the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau districts.

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Responding to community need. Looking out for our Kaumatua at Christmas time.

On Wednesday 18th December staff, trustees, and families of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation teamed with staff of Waiariki Mentoring Services and staff of Here to Help U to pack and deliver 164 food parcels to seniors in need throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.The Eastern Bay Community Foundation decided to spread joy and warmth to seniors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with a generous donation of $10,000 from Craigs Investment Partners as part of their annual Christmas Giving initiative.The...

Annual Christmas Giving

This December, the Eastern Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) is bringing joy and support to seniors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP) with a generous $10,000 donation from Craigs Investment Partners as part of their annual Christmas Giving initiative. The donation will fund food parcels aimed at assisting seniors aged 65+ who face social isolation, health and mobility challenges, or financial hardship.The rising cost of living has left many seniors in the EBOP region struggling. Numerous seniors...

Whakaari Memorial

December 9th, 2019 changed our community forever.Today we remember those who lost their lives in the eruption, and those who survived, and we are thankful for the first responders and helpers at that time.5 years ago, the EBCF setup a fund collecting donations from NZ and overseas to assist local victims of the eruption, their families, and first responders.This year as we reflect on the eruption 5 years ago we are pleased to be part of the Whakaari Memorial Fund, The Eastern Bay Community Found...

October Newsletter

This month we cover:wills monthgrant applicationswomens impact 100...

New Attestation

We are thrilled to share that the Eastern Bay Community Foundation have reached our goal of achieving attestation.The CFANZ attestation means that we comply with the highest standards, we know that we're doing good work but it's nice when the experts confirm that.Our certificate of National quality standards certification was presented at the CFANZ national conference in Christchurch earlier this week and as you can see from the photograph, we're quite chuffed!...

Wills Month

Leaving a gift in your will to a local community foundation, like the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, is a powerful, practical way to give back to our communities and a great way to ensure the causes closest to your heart continue to be supported long into the future.Once you have made provision for your loved ones, a gift in your will can be the perfect way to make a difference, without impacting on your current financial needs.The gift that grows beyond a lifetime.The Eastern Bay Community F...