Taranaki Foundation

15/06/2026

What if the greatest threat facing many older people isn't age... but loneliness?

🚨 Elder abuse cases in Taranaki have risen from 86 in 2020 to 353 in 2026, which is a staggering 300% increase in just six years.

Age Concern Taranaki says loneliness and social isolation sit at the heart of so many of these cases, leaving older people vulnerable to neglect, scams and abuse.

This week is Elder Abuse Awareness Week, and we are backing Age Concern Taranaki as they launch their Fund through Taranaki Foundation.

Age Concern Taranaki Fund has been established to help ensure older people across our region remain safe, connected and supported for generations to come.

As Age Concern Taranaki says, "Connection is protection." 💛
Everyone deserves to age with dignity, respect and connection.

Curious why now, and the story behind the fund? Tap the image below to read more. 🔗👇

New Community Fund Launched to Protect Taranaki’s Older People 15 June 2026 A new community fund has been established through Taranaki Foundation to support Age Concern Taranaki, the region’s frontline organisation responding to elder abuse, loneliness and social isolation among older people. Th...

14/06/2026

Bruce Carter has never been one for recognition. He gives because he believes that if you have the means to help, you should. 💛

Since setting up his fund with us in 2021, Bruce has given over $200,000 to causes close to his heart. Including Coastguard NZ, Taranaki Women's Refuge, Hato Hone St John, Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, Lifeline Aotearoa, MS Taranaki, Motor Neurone Disease and the Taranaki Health Foundation.

His goal is simple. He just wants to know the place he grew up in is a little better because he was here. 🏔️🌱

If you've ever thought about giving back, Bruce's story is worth a read (click image below).

And thank you to the Taranaki Daily News for highlighting Bruce's generosity and sharing his story too. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361021100/why-84-year-old-new-plymouth-man-chose-charity-over-world-travel

How One Man’s Generosity Continues to Leave a Lasting Mark on Taranaki 8 June 2026 Bruce Carter loves the ocean. When he lived in Australia, he was out on the water whenever he could. That time on the water gave him a deep respect for just how quickly conditions can change and for the volunteers w...

10/06/2026

One of the best parts of our work is seeing impact in action. 💛

A huge thank you to Amy, Ally and the wonderful volunteer team at Waitara Foodbank - Pataka Kai for welcoming us in today. What they do for Waitara and the surrounding area is something special. You could hear it in the conversations with those stopping by to collect some kai to take home. A real reminder of the good happening right on our doorstep. ✨

08/06/2026

Stories of Impact | Kōrero Manaaki 💛🌱

The journey into motherhood can be rewarding, challenging, and everything in between.

Through our recent funding round, support for Hapū Wānanga Taranaki helped fund Restore Your Core, a programme that supports māmā to strengthen their physical wellbeing, build confidence and connect with others navigating the same season of life.

As one māmā who attended the programme shared:
"Pelvic and core health is so critical, and there needs to be more education in this space."

"The whole kaupapa is nourishing, healing, educational and enabling for both mum and baby. I wish I could stay on this programme indefinitely."

By creating space for māmā to focus on their own wellbeing while their pēpi are cared for in a safe and supportive environment, Restore Your Core is creating lasting benefits for mothers, babies and whānau across Taranaki.

Thank you to our generous donors and to the team at Hapū Wānanga ki Taranaki for the incredible mahi they do every day. 💛

02/06/2026

💛 In loving memory of Vicki Haylock 💛

Vicki passed away in April 2026, and we are honoured to now share her story and the thoughtful legacy she leaves behind.

Vicki was part of Taranaki Foundation from our earliest years, as our first Chief Executive. She passionately believed in the power of collective giving to make a difference for Taranaki.

A week before she passed, Vicki asked to meet so she could finish telling the story of The Clarke Family Fund.

Facing a terminal illness brought Vicki a particular clarity.

“Life is not going to go on forever,” she reflected.

And so, rather than waiting, she acted. She sat with us. She shared her story. She made sure her family’s intentions were captured in her own words.

You can read the full story below: ✨✨

The Clarke Family Fund 2 June 2026 A legacy of love, for family and community. “Life is precious. Taranaki has been good to us. We really want to give back to this community and to help those that are less fortunate.” – Vicki Haylock. A week before Vicki Haylock passed away in April 2026, she ...

27/05/2026

Yesterday we shared the story behind the Bryce and Delwyn Barnett Fund. Today we're sharing what that giving actually looks like in someone's life. 💛

Corey was the first recipient of the Outward Bound (OB) scholarship established through the fund. This is his story, in his words.

"When I found out I was the first recipient of this scholarship, I was incredibly excited. Outward Bound had always been on my radar, but I didn't have a way to go - up until the scholarship."

Corey describes nine hours rowing in dead calm water. Sleeping under flies, waking in puddles. And then a sunset in a still bay with new friends from all over the country that made every hard moment worth it.

"One thing I learned at OB which I will take into my school life will be to believe in myself more. To the Bryce and Delwyn Barnett Fund donors, the experience you have gifted me is honestly an event that I will look back on for the rest of my life. There was never a moment at Outward Bound when I wished that I was back home, I have made so many friends from all over NZ and for these reasons I am incredibly grateful." - Corey Barrett.

🌊⛰️

26/05/2026

Did you know Bryce's first business was selling Wood Ear Fungus at age 14? 🍄

Or that Delwyn grew up with a rule: never say anything unless it passes through three golden gates. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

After more than six years on the Taranaki Foundation Board, Bryce Barnett is retiring from his trustee role and stepping into a new role as an ambassador for the Foundation. Alongside this milestone, it felt only fitting to pause and share the story behind the Bryce and Delwyn Barnett Fund. 💛 💛

We thank Bryce for everything he's brought over those six years. Heart, bold thinking, determination, care for community, inspiring a culture of generosity, a passion for all things intergenerational, dedication to causes close to his heart, and those famously colourful spectacles.

In his own words:
"The most dangerous thing in life is having good intentions. Because only 2% of them are ever done. But if I have a dream or an intention, let's do it now."

It's a good story. Read it here:

It Started at Home || The Bryce and Delwyn Barnett Fund 19 May 2026 After more than six years on the Taranaki Foundation board, Bryce Barnett has retired and moved into an ambassadorship role. But six years doesn’t quite capture it. Bryce has given far more than time. He has given energy, wisdom, ...

25/05/2026

Stories of Impact | Kōrero Manaaki 💛🌱

Good Bi***es Baking does something beautifully simple. They bake for people who need to feel cared for.

Local rep Courtney and volunteer baker Margo (pictured) are two of 60 volunteers baking weekly for six recipient organisations here locally in Taranaki. Including the Taranaki Retreat, Taranaki Women's Refuge, Heart Kids Taranaki and the TDHB Neonatal Unit (the baking in these photos heading straight to the Neonatal Unit.

Since founding in July 2016, the Taranaki chapter has delivered 2,909 boxes of home-baked treats.

In our last funding round, we were able to provide modest support towards this mahi thanks to our generous donors.

As Roderique Hope Trust shares: "Beyond the nourishment of a home-baked treat, it brings the biggest smiles, comfort, and a real sense of normalcy to whānau navigating homelessness, financial hardship, or other incredibly difficult life challenges."

Ngā mihi nui to our donor whānau and to every volunteer who has ever preheated an oven for a stranger. 💛💛

20/05/2026

“There is real comfort in knowing this support will continue for generations. Taranaki Foundation, to us, is a safe pair of hands.” -
Malcolm Greenhill, Hāwera Rotary Club member for 41 years. 💛

For more than 100 years, the Hāwera Rotary Club showed up for their community. Fundraising, rolling up their sleeves, and meeting needs as they arose.

As membership declined, they made sure the giving wouldn’t. The Hāwera Rotary Fund is now held in perpetuity with Taranaki Foundation.

In its first full year, the fund distributed 14 grants totalling $74,000 to organisations across South Taranaki - from the Hāwera Foodbank to Taranaki Kiwi Trust.

The faces, the stories and the needs may change over time, but the generosity that drives this fund does not.

South Taranaki will feel its impact for generations to come. 🤝⛰️

Read the full story below.

And thank you to the Taranaki Daily News for the beautiful write-up on this milestone story:
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361007579/hawera-rotary-closed-its-doors-opens-lasting-legacy

A Legacy That Lives on: The Hāwera Rotary Fund 18 May 2026 The Rotary Club of Hāwera was established on 27 January 1925, the first Rotary club in Taranaki and one of the earliest in New Zealand. From its earliest days, the Club’s purpose was simple: service to the community. For more than 100 ye...

18/05/2026

Incredibly honoured to be recognised at the Aotearoa New Zealand Park Awards last Thursday, taking out the Merit Award for Playspace of the Year for Destination Kāwaroa.
🌳🌞🌈🌊🍦🛝🤸‍♀️

Proud to see our community recognised on the national stage and accept this award on behalf of Team Taranaki (i.e. key funders and the 350+ individuals, families, businesses and community partners who made 'DK' happen). 💛💛