Wakatipu High School Foundation

25/09/2026

We’re delighted to welcome four new trustees to the Wakatipu High School Foundation Board.

Kirsty MacTaggart, Adam Castricum, Matthew Day and Steve McIsaac have joined our volunteer Board of Trustees, bringing a wealth of experience, skills and connections to help us achieve our mission and support Wakatipu High School.

We also want to say a huge thank you to Daniel Gibbons, who is stepping down after almost five years as a Trustee, including three years as Chair. Daniel has given an enormous amount to the Foundation since 2021, and we’re incredibly grateful for his leadership, commitment and contribution.

We’re also saying goodbye to Hinano Bagnis, who has served as a Trustee since 2023 and is retiring at the end of her term. Thank you, Hinano, for everything you’ve contributed to the Foundation.

And finally, Lindsay Lake has stepped into the role of Chair. She has big shoes to fill, but we’re excited to have Lindsay leading the Board as we head into this next chapter. 🙌

👉 Read more about our Trustees: https://www.whsf.nz/trustees

17/09/2026

Our Golf Tournament is now sold out, but there’s another great local charity golf event you can get involved in!

The Skyline Charity Golf Classic is happening 28–29 November at Queenstown Golf Club, with entries still available.

This year, the Skyline Charity Classic is raising funds for our friends at Branches Charitable Trust, helping keep the iconic Branches Camp accessible and affordable for local families.

A great weekend of golf for a great local cause! ⛳️

The Skyline Charity Golf Classic: For nearly five decades, this much-loved event has brought people together at Queenstown Golf Club, making it one of New Zealand’s longest-running sponsored golf events.

Since becoming a charity event in 2023, the Skyline Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $102,000 for local causes, including $46,000 for Lakes District Hospital Trust last year.

This year, we’re proud to support Branches Charitable Trust, helping future generations of local young people take on challenges, build lasting connections, and discover what they’re capable of.

🏌️Entries are now open and filling fast! If you’re a golfer, this is one of the highlights of the Queenstown golf calendar and a great chance to enjoy a day on the course while supporting an important cause. And if golf isn’t your thing, there’ll be plenty more opportunities to get involved and support Branches Trust over the coming weeks.

Learn more: https://queenstown.skyline.co.nz/queenstown-charity-golf-classic/

31/07/2026

On Saturday 22 August, Wakatipu High School’s Gold and Blue Ice Hockey teams will go head-to-head in an epic local derby.

Come along and support the talented young players of Wakatipu as they battle it out for bragging rights in what promises to be a fast-paced, action-packed game.

All proceeds will go back to supporting Queenstown Ice Hockey Club (QIHC) and the Wakatipu High School Foundation.

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/whakatipu-high-school-gold-vs-blue/queenstown

06/07/2026

CHAIR AND TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITIES

Help shape the future of education in our community.

The Wakatipu High School Foundation is seeking an experienced Chair and enthusiastic Trustees to join our volunteer Board.

The Foundation works alongside Wakatipu High School to generate additional funding through philanthropy, business partnerships, fundraising and a growing Endowment Fund.

We're looking for people who are passionate about education and community, with skills in governance, business, finance, fundraising, marketing, law or relationship management.

As a trustee or Chair, you'll help guide the Foundation's strategic direction, build community connections and make a lasting impact on the lives of local students, families and the community.

Time commitment: Board meetings are held approximately every six weeks, with opportunities to be involved in fundraising events and strategic initiatives throughout the year.

To learn more or request an information pack, please contact:

Celeste Collie
Executive Officer
Wakatipu High School Foundation
[email protected]

24/06/2026

A huge thank you to Mauro and the team at Giovi for their incredible support of our Winter Gala.

Not only did Mauro attend the event and enthusiastically join in the bidding, but after seeing the response to Giovi's donated auction prize, he generously doubled it - turning one private dinner for 10 at Bianca's into two amazing dining experiences.

Support like this helped us raise more than $42,000 for Wakatipu High School students. Thank you, Bianca by Giovi for helping make the evening such a success!

14/06/2026

The WHS Winter Gala Silent Auction is LIVE – Start placing your bids now! 🔨

We're counting down to the WHS Foundation Winter Gala on 18 June 2026, but you don't have to wait until the big night to get involved.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our local businesses and supporters, there is an outstanding range of experiences, dining, accommodation, w**e, adventure activities and much more.

There are still tickets available for the Gala, so if you'd like to join us for a fantastic evening of food, w**e, entertainment and fundraising, we'd love to see you there. You'll also have the opportunity to bid on our exclusive Live Auction items on the night.

Browse, bid, book your ticket, and make a difference today.

👉 https://galabid.com/whsf26

01/05/2026

💙 THANK YOU, WAKATIPU COMMUNITY

What an incredible result.

Our first-ever Giving Day has officially wrapped - and thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our wider community, we raised a total of $134,335.

In just 12 hours, alumni, local businesses, families, and supporters came together to back Wakatipu High School students in a powerful show of community spirit.

Every donation, every share, and every message of support made a difference.

Because of you, we can continue to invest in what matters most:

Teachers | Literacy & Numeracy | Wellbeing | Outdoor Education | The Āwhina Support Fund

This is what happens when a community stands behind its young people — real impact, real opportunity, real change.

From all of us at the Wakatipu High School Foundation: thank you. 💙

29/04/2026

🚨 GIVING DAY IS LIVE! 🚨

Today is the day!

For the next 12 hours, every donation to the WHS Giving Day will be matched by generous supporters - doubling your impact for our students.

This is our inaugural Giving Day, and we’re asking our community to come together to back the young people of Wakatipu High School.

Because when we invest in our school, we invest in:

💙 Our children
💙 Our families
💙 Our future workforce
💙 Our entire community

No matter the size, every gift makes a difference - and today, it goes twice as far.

👉 Donate now: www.giving.whsf.nz
📅 Closes 8pm tonight

Let’s show what our community can do when we stand together.

28/04/2026

⏰ TOMORROW IS GIVING DAY

After weeks of preparation, our inaugural WHS Giving Day is almost here.

From 8am tomorrow, every donation made will be matched by generous supporters, doubling your impact for local students.

This is more than fundraising - it’s a chance for our community to come together and back the young people who are shaping Queenstown’s future.

WHS is at the heart of our region. Supporting our school means supporting:

✨ Stronger learning outcomes
✨ Student wellbeing
✨ Future workforce readiness
✨ A stronger, more connected community

Even a small gift will go twice as far tomorrow.

💙 Give what you can. Share the message. Be part of something meaningful.

www.giving.whsf.nz