What is the phone number?

+64 6 769 9471 or 0800 769 9471

http://www.toifoundation.org.nz/

Toi Foundation, 121 Gill Street, New Plymouth (2026)

10/06/2026

UPCOMING SESSIONS:

New Plymouth
Wednesday 17th June 2026
5.30 – 7.00
Novotel Hotel New Plymouth, Taranaki
Corner Hobson & Leach Street – New Plymouth 4312 – New Zealand

Hawera
Thursday 18th June 2026
5.30 – 7.00
Hawera Community Centre – Hall
105-111 Albion Street

For catering and seating arrangements RSVP for either location is essential
Please RSVP to: [email protected]

Feedback on the proposal must be submitted through the official consultation channel https://toifoundation.org.nz/your-feedback/ to be formally considered, therefore comments on this post are disabled.

01/06/2026

PROPOSAL OF TSB BANK - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

We want to inform you about a proposal currently under consideration by the Toi Foundation Trustees.
We are seeking your feedback on a proposal to sell TSB as part of a proposal to merge it with Heartland Bank. We believe the proposal would help us to:

· Increase sustainable, long-term cash returns available for community distribution via its granting activity
· Diversify the Foundation’s investment risk over time
· Ensure TSB has a platform to continue operating successfully in a rapidly changing banking environment
· Maintain a strong connection for TSB to the Taranaki region

You can learn more about the proposal on our website www.toifoundation.org.nz and Taranaki residents are invited to make a written submission. Consultation opens from Wednesday 3rd June 2026 and closes 5pm, Tuesday 30th June 2026.

Toi Foundation Trustees will consider all community feedback before making a final decision about whether to proceed with the proposal. https://toifoundation.org.nz/your-feedback

We look forward to hearing your views.

Feedback must be submitted through the official consultation channels to be formally considered therefore comments on this post are disabled.

20/05/2026

CAMP QUALITY: A SPECIAL WEEK IN TARANAKI

Camp Quality focuses on providing camps for children aged 5-16 who have had cancer at any stage of their lives. This year’s camp was held in New Plymouth and included six campers and 10 volunteers from Taranaki.

“The real focus is on fun, hope and happiness, so that’s what we measure – the smiles on their faces. It’s not a tangible measure, but that’s what we want to see,” said Sam Fellows, Interim General Manager.

“We connect the kids one-on-one with volunteer companions, then we take the cotton wool off and let them just be kids and have a whole lot of fun.”

Camp Quality relies entirely on community support, including fundraisers and donations. Funds raised cover accommodation, food, activities, and volunteer training and support.

“We plan a baseline camp on site, and then add to it when we get extra support. It could be businesses donating food or experiences in the area, or extra funding like the grant we received from Toi Foundation,” said Sam.

This year’s Taranaki camp included swimming, classic car rides, and elective days with sports, cooking, and other activities.

“Parents place massive trust in us to care for their kids. But when I talk to them, they say Camp Quality is the highlight of their year and they’re often amazed at the things their kids can do. Many of them return year after year.

“We often invite the siblings along for the camper’s first camp, so they know what it’s like. But after that, parents often take the opportunity to spend quality time with them and make them feel really special too.”

Overall, 55 children, 51 companions, 18 volunteer staff, and 5 nurses enjoyed the 2026 experience. Next year’s camp will be in New Plymouth again, and Sam hopes that even more Taranaki children and volunteers will join in the fun.

11/05/2026

SUMMER JAM STRIKES A CHORD

The Summer Jam, held in South Taranaki, is a free annual concert and community celebration. Committee President Vicki Koubaridis says the 2026 event was their biggest and most successful yet.

But beyond the fun of the day, the Summer Jam has a serious purpose.

“We know loneliness affects people’s health so we wanted to create an event that would bring people together and help create lasting connections,” said committee member Marianne Archibald.

“Our small volunteer committee spends the whole year fundraising to keep the concert – and children’s activities like face painting and a photo booth – free of charge. We want everyone to be able to come along and enjoy the day.”

Vicki says funding is their biggest challenge each year.

“We plan an amazing community event, then find the funding to run it, including sponsorship from our own businesses.

We apply to different organisations each year to spread it around, and we only apply for what we need. Toi Foundation was such a big help and it really took the pressure off.”

Frankie Steven hosts the event each year, securing top performers from around the country. In 2026, the Jam had a country theme, opening with the school kapa haka group, followed by Sisters in Country, Michael & Becks and the NZ Highwaymen.

“Picture a big stage on a rugby field, thousands of people and the sun shining. People had picnics, everybody was chatting, sitting on deckchairs, listening to wonderful music. There’s dancing, kids are everywhere, and this year a lot of older folk came along too.

“There was just so much. And the feedback we get is just absolutely fabulous. It was such a good day, but it goes much further than that one day. People keep talking to each other and it’s like a trigger for deeper connections within the community.”

30/04/2026

FROM TIRED OFFICE TO THRIVING BASE

Taranaki Golf is a small organisation that promotes and fosters golf in Taranaki.

“Golf clubs run themselves; we do the coaching, recruiting and promoting of an enjoyable and golf-smart environment on Taranaki’s 18 courses,” said Peter Harold, Taranaki Golf CEO.

Taranaki Golf runs several key programmes, including the Futures Programme, which supports training and development and allows under-19s to play in Futures Events at any golf club in the region.

“We also run coaching programmes in schools and She Loves Golf, which aims to bring more women and girls into the sport,” said Peter.

Based next to the Fitzroy Golf Clubrooms, Taranaki Golf’s small office was dark and tired, with rotting carpet, no signage or storage and only two ancient computers.

A $10k Toi Foundation grant helped transform the space into a real hub, with new carpet, a fresh coat of paint, extended storage and bright new signage on the doors.

As Peter explains, “it’s just created a great atmosphere. Our staff can pop in and pop out, grab their gear. It’s given us an identity. People now know where we are and often pop in. It’s a real connection piece.”

Over the past two years, Toi Foundation has also supported Taranaki Golf with an annual grant to lease a Ford Ranger. Peter says this “has been a game-changer” for the organisation.

“We had one car; not great when you’re lugging around a thousand golf balls and 5 or 6 sets of clubs.

“We go right round the Maunga to service all 18 clubs and hundreds of schools, so that’s a lot of travel. Leasing means we save money and have a more suitable vehicle for travelling and transporting gear.

“For us, there’s no trickle-down funding from Golf New Zealand. Our only income comes through levies. Without organisations like Toi, we would struggle to survive. And so I don’t say it lightly that the help we get through Toi is game-changing for our sport.

26/04/2026

TARANAKI CONSERVATION GOES HI-TECH

Two Taranaki charities, each using innovative technology to advance conservation efforts, have been named finalists in this year’s prestigious New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards 2026, in the category of Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good.

Wildlife.AI’s Spyfish Aotearoa helps rangers and community members monitor marine reserves efficiently. Spyfish replaces labour-intensive methods with automated data collection and processing, providing quick, accurate reports. This helps to show the positive impacts of marine reserves, and how they are supporting our fish species and our moana.

“Being a finalist is recognition of the mahi we’ve been doing, and also for the region, showing how we are innovating at the forefront of using tech for conservation,” said Victor Anton, Wildlife.AI General Manager.

800 Trust has developed Hark, a robust listening device deployed in forest environments to automatically record the presence and movements of birds and pests.

“Until now, it’s been really difficult for groups to monitor what’s been happening in the forest, and particularly for community groups to report back to their funders accurately. Hark changes that by listening in real time and providing automatic reports about what’s going on,” said Miranda Wells, Project Lead.

For both organisations, Toi Foundation funding has been a vital part of the journey.

“Toi gave us some initial funding to start developing Hark. That enabled us to fund materials and develop a base model which proved the theory,” said Miranda.

“800 Trust has planted 28,000 trees over the past year, with community support, and we’re fortunate that Toi also helps fund some of our conservation mahi.”

“We got funding for a different project, and also to help fund a new communications and operations advisor and Mātauranga Māori advisor,” said Victor.

“It’s helped us scale Wildlife.AI, share the impact, and build community engagement.”

Sourcing funding for innovation can be very challenging for a not-for-profit organisation. Miranda says many funders prefer a for-profit business model, so Toi Foundation’s support and belief in their project was invaluable.

Victor and Miranda say Toi Foundation support has helped them prove that innovation can happen within a charity framework. That’s not only beneficial for Taranaki, but is now being recognised nationwide.

12/04/2026

FREE FUNDING WORKSHOP

Back by popular demand, this free workshop is aimed at beginners and community groups looking to apply for funding through Toi Foundation.

If you want to build your confidence in talking about the difference your mahi makes, this session will help you:

- Better understand what we mean by Outcomes and Evidence
- Identify and describe the outcomes your work creates — clearly
- See how outcomes and evidence sit within your funding application

Supported by the Toi Foundation team, this is a friendly, low-jargon introduction to a topic many people find tricky — with plenty of support, examples, and ways to apply the content to your work.

Hāwera
Wed 29th April 12:30 – 2pm
TSB Hub Restaurant Room,
15-17 Camberwell Road, Hāwera

New Plymouth
Wednesday 6th May 12:30 - 2pm
Toi Foundation Community Space
Entry off Davidson Street, New Plymouth

Spaces are limited and rsvp essential to [email protected]
Only 2 people per organisation.

05/04/2026

APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING CLOSING SOON

Completed applications for Annual, Programme & Event or Capital grants for this funding round need to be received by the Foundation no later than 4pm on Friday, 15 May 2026.

Please note: If your organisation is new to the Foundation, you will need to complete your registration before you can apply.

Get in touch, we're here to help!

Email us at [email protected] or phone 0800 7699 471.

01/04/2026

TE AHO POUTIAKI - APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

This community rangatahi (youth)-led funding is available for Pātea, Ōpunakē, Eltham, Manaia, Waitara, and West Ngāmotu (including Marfell, Westown, Moturoa, Lynmouth, and Blagdon).

With $300,000 available, we want to hear your ideas on how best to support these communities from seed to established initiatives, ensuring funding reflects local aspirations and creates a lasting impact.

We’ve designed the process to be simple and accessible.

You can apply in the way that works best for you — written, video, audio, or even a phone call. Applications close on August 31st 2026.

For more information, please email us at [email protected] or call us on 0800 7699 471.

APPLY NOW: https://form.typeform.com/to/IazYVKul

27/03/2026

LIFTING OUTCOMES FOR TAMARIKI THROUGH DIGITAL LEARNING IN TARANAKI

Manaiakalani is a network of schools and communities committed to accelerating learning for all students, especially those in low socio-economic areas. Today, 120 schools across New Zealand belong to the Manaiakalani network, including five in Taranaki.

“It’s all about effective teaching and accelerated learning in a digital world,” said Perrie Topia, Taranaki Convenor and Principal at Waitara East.

At the heart of the programme is the Learn, Create, Share model.

“It’s not about the devices, it’s about the process,” said Meryn Penno, Facilitator.

“When students learn something, then create something new with that knowledge and share it with others, they’re engaging deeply with the material and using reading and writing skills in authentic ways.”

“We’re not teaching apps — we’re teaching students to think and communicate. Technology is just the tool that allows them to take their learning to the next level,” said Fiona Waugh, Facilitator.

The programme depends on having local facilitators who can work directly with teachers and school leaders, building strong relationships and modelling new teaching practices.

“Schools can’t find that sort of money out of their budgets, so without Toi funding Manaiakalani wouldn’t be possible in Taranaki,” said Perrie.

The Taranaki cluster includes more than 50 teachers and around 1,500 students. Data shows clear gains in literacy and numeracy as the Learn, Create, Share pedagogy becomes part of daily classroom life.

“When our kids leave at Year 6, they’re closer to national norms than ever before. We’ve seen huge improvements in engagement too — fewer behavioural issues, more curiosity, and a lot more pride in their work,” said Perrie.

“We’d like to acknowledge Toi Foundation’s foresight and trust. They truly understood that for this programme to succeed, it needed a dedicated local presence. This isn't just a grant; it's a strategic partnership.

"Toi’s support has been a catalyst for change, and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to improving educational outcomes for the tamariki of Taranaki. It’s an investment in a brighter future for the whole region.”

Toi Foundation

10/06/2026

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20/05/2026

11/05/2026

30/04/2026

26/04/2026

12/04/2026

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27/03/2026

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