The Sunrise Foundation - Gisborne/Tairawhiti

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The Sunrise Foundation - Gisborne/Tairawhiti

Sunrise is a community foundation that can help you support local charities or causes you care about.

03/10/2026

Local giving. National impact.

Sunrise Foundation is proud to be one of 18 Community Foundations across Aotearoa New Zealand, each working in our own region to build stronger communities for the future.

Together, the Community Foundations network now has $366 million invested in endowment funds and in the past year alone, $17 million was granted back into communities through 2,130 grants.

They’re big numbers, but they all start in the same way, with people choosing to give locally.

Here in Tairāwhiti, every donation adds to the collective impact we can make. One gift joins another, our funds grow, and together we can provide lasting support for the local organisations doing great things in our community.

Across the country or right here at home, it shows what’s possible when we all play a part.

Together, we really can make a difference.

30/09/2026

🚁 An exciting new arrival for Tairāwhiti!

Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust’s new Airbus H145 D3 rescue helicopter has arrived, bringing improved safety, technology, cabin space and capability to this vital local service.

Community support continues to play an important role in helping the Trust fund specialist equipment, training and other resources.

The Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust Fund with Sunrise Foundation provides another way to support the long term future of this lifesaving service. Donations to the fund are invested, creating an ongoing source of funding for years to come.

Learn more about their fund with Sunrise here: https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/our-funds/special-interest-endowment-funds/eastland-helicopter-rescue-trust

Congratulations to the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust team – we look forward to seeing the new helicopter officially unveiled in October! ❤️🚁

Photo credit: Kevin Weatherly

21/09/2026

There's something deeply personal about writing a will. It's an act of love for the people you're leaving behind.

For many, that love often extends further than family, to a place and a community. Often to the people and spaces that helped to shape you. And a gift to Sunrise Foundation can do that, as well as honouring your commitment to family.

Latest research shows us that across New Zealand, local community impact is one of the top reasons people include a charitable gift in their will. Not instead of providing for their whanau. Alongside it.

Because for most of us, the place that raised us matters almost as much as the people who did.

September is Wills Month. Learn more here:
https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/ways-to-give/a-gift-in-your-will

18/09/2026

September is Wills Month, and a good time to think about the things that really matter to us. 🧡

For Tolaga Bay animal lover Julia Knight, that’s animal welfare.

Julia has chosen to leave a gift in her will through Sunrise Foundation to support animal welfare here in Tairāwhiti, a cause she is incredibly passionate about.

We all care about different things. It might be animals, the environment, sport, health, young people or a local organisation that has made a difference in your life. By leaving a gift in your will to a cause you care about through Sunrise, your generosity can support that cause not just once, but for many, many years to come.

And during September, Nolans Lawyers and Woodward Chrisp are supporting Wills Month by offering their clients the opportunity to amend their existing will to include a gift through Sunrise Foundation, free of charge.

A gift doesn’t have to be large to make a difference. It’s about choosing something that matters to you and helping ensure it continues to be supported well into the future.

Thank you Julia for sharing your story and for choosing to give back to something so close to your heart. 🐾🧡

Local Giving for Local Needs.

16/09/2026

🎓 Supporting local students to follow their passions

At the end of last year, Gisborne Girls’ High School student Jemma Saywell and Gisborne Boys’ High School student Jake Higgins were presented with the Steve Crosby Scholarship by Kay Crosby. This scholarship provides support for their final year of school in 2026.

For Jemma, the scholarship has helped with the costs of volleyball school trips, allowing her to make the most of her final year playing a sport she is passionate about.

“The Steve Crosby scholarship helped me immensely with affording my volleyball school trips. Since it was my last year playing for Girls High, I was able to enjoy it to the fullest because of the funds I was very fortunate to receive.”

For Jake, the scholarship is helping support his future study aspirations in Psychology and Māori Studies, alongside his involvement in leadership, Te Ao Māori and service.

“Receiving the Steve Crosby Memorial Scholarship was a great honour and something I am very thankful for. I am proud to be associated with the values and legacy that this scholarship represents.”

With scholarship season coming around again, we’re looking forward to seeing who the next two students will be to receive this special support.

Read more about the Steve Crosby fund here: https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/our-funds/named-endowment-funds/stephen-steve-crosby

15/09/2026

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 🌿

What better week to celebrate the great mahi happening through Taiki e! and their Kawhe & Kōrero initiative.

Sunrise was proud to support Kawhe & Kōrero with a grant to help grow these relaxed, welcoming reo sessions, where people can come together over a kawhe or kapu tī at Zest cafe, play games, have a kōrero and build their confidence using te reo Māori.

Sunrise’s Janine went along and joined in with one of the sessions.

“It was such a fun, relaxed atmosphere. There were people at all different levels of reo. We played games, had plenty of laughs and I came away having learnt something too.”

We love seeing initiatives like this happening right here in Tairāwhiti, creating opportunities for te reo Māori to be heard, spoken and enjoyed in everyday settings, exactly what Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is all about.

08/09/2026

For long-time Sunrise supporter and sponsor John Larsen, supporting our local community has always mattered. 🧡

That’s why John has chosen to include a gift to Sunrise in his will, a gift that will continue supporting local needs long into the future.

A gift in your will, no matter the size, becomes part of a permanent fund that is invested and grown, providing ongoing support for the causes and communities you care about across Tairāwhiti.

Throughout September, Nolans Lawyers and Woodward Chrisp are offering their clients the opportunity to amend their current will to include a gift to Sunrise at no cost.

This Wills Month, consider leaving a little something for the community you love. 🧡

07/09/2026

A big congratulations to one of our wonderful sponsors, James Blackburne of Architects 44! 👏

James has recently been appointed President of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, becoming the first president from outside Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch in the organisation’s 120-year history.

It’s a fantastic achievement and recognition of James’ contribution to his profession, and pretty special to see someone from right here in Gisborne–Tairāwhiti taking on this national role.

We’re very grateful to have James and the team at Architects 44 as supporters of Sunrise. Their strong commitment to our region aligns perfectly with our own philosophy of Local Giving for Local Needs. 🧡 🧡

Congratulations James, and a big shout-out to the whole Architects 44 team!

05/09/2026

A grant from Sunrise Foundation’s Hearing Fund has helped Ollie Egan purchase a laptop that connects directly to his cochlear implants.

This makes online learning, research and study more accessible for Ollie while he’s at university, a great example of how the Hearing Fund can provide practical support for people living with hearing loss.

Applications to the Hearing Fund are welcomed year-round.

Click the link below to learn more about the Hearing Fund:
https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/our-funds/special-interest-endowment-funds/hearing-assistance

02/09/2026

Wills Month is a good reminder to make sure your will is up to date and reflects the people and causes that matter most to you.

Once again, we’re incredibly grateful to local law firms Nolans Lawyers and Woodward Chrisp, who are supporting Wills Month by offering free will amendments for anyone wanting to include a gift to Sunrise Foundation in their will.

Leaving a gift doesn’t have to mean leaving a large amount. After looking after family and loved ones, it could be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or what remains. Through Sunrise, that gift can keep supporting the local causes you care about for generations to come.

Woodward Chrisp Director Ellie FitzGerald has supported Sunrise since its early days and has helped many local people include a bequest in their wills:

“From the very beginning, I have been a strong supporter of Sunrise Foundation and seen it grow into a trusted place for local giving. I was privileged to act for Gavin McFarlane, Sunrise’s first bequest donor, and I’ve seen how simple the process is and how powerful the impact can be.”

To find out more, download our Wills Information Pack from our website (click the link below), talk to your lawyer, or get in touch with Glenda for a confidential chat.
https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/ways-to-give/a-gift-in-your-will

Address

1 Peel Street (BDO Building) Gisborne
Gisborne
4010

Website

https://www.sunrisefoundation.org.nz/

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