Rotorua Trust

10/06/2026

Ken Raureti

He tangata rongonui
He tangata kaiarahi
He tangata waimarie

With humility and grace Ken Rauriti guided the kaimahi and trustees at the Rotorua Trust.
Laying a Te Ao Māori wero for us to learn and grow as an organisation.
We will miss your huge presence and warm generosity.

Moe mai rā e te rangatira

21/05/2026

Preserving the stories of Rotorua for generations to come 📚

For years, In Profile has captured the people, moments and memories that help shape our community. From quiet achievers to familiar faces, the stories shared through these articles reflect the heart, diversity and spirit of Rotorua. 💛

Recently, Stephen and Jill from In Profile met with Blair and Kaycie from Rotorua Trust, alongside Julianne from Rotorua Library, to discuss the future preservation of the In Profile collection and therefore, its migration to Rotorua Library. 🌟

Every profile is a snapshot of local history, celebrating the people who contribute to our community in different ways. Together, they have created a lasting record of Rotorua and the people who call it home.

We’re proud to support work that will help ensure these stories remain accessible for generations to come. We’ll keep you updated as the migration progresses. In the meantime, articles remain available at https://www.inprofile.co.nz/

19/05/2026

🌿 InProfile: Shona Jennings – A life of remarkable contrasts

The latest InProfile article features Shona Jennings, a former Mamaku farm girl whose life and career have spanned extraordinary contrasts - from growing up on a 600-acre sheep and cattle farm near Mamaku, to working in some of the world’s most remote and challenging communities, and stepping into roles across international development, media, arts, and environmental advocacy.

From fashion magazines and editorial leadership in New Zealand, to humanitarian work across the Pacific, Africa, Asia, and Europe, Shona’s journey is one shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a deep commitment to people and place. Today, she continues her work with organisations focused on global health and climate resilience, while proudly calling Rotorua home.

This beautifully told story has been written by Jill Nicholas, with photography and videography by Stephen Parker.

Read the full article here:

Shona Jennings Former Mamaku farm girl’s career of contrastsWords Jill NicholasPictures, video Stephen ParkerIf ever anyone's lived a life constructed around contrasts it's  Shona Jennings. It' content is as contradictory as it's possible to get, see-sawing from the extremes of luxury to the pov...

06/05/2026

200 people, one shared purpose, and a powerful result you can see above and below the waterline! 🤿💧

These photos capture what’s possible when a community comes together for the awa - restoring, protecting, and giving back in a way that truly makes a difference. 💛💧

05/05/2026

Mike Keefe and Cathy Cooney had a fantastic time at the Rotorua Marathon on Saturday, enjoying the atmosphere, supporting participants, and capturing a couple of special moments from the first female and the second place (local) male crossing the finish line 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Congratulations to everyone who took part, and a big thank you to all those who got out and cheered runners along over the weekend! 👏

Well done to the top three finishers:
Male
1) Daniel Balchin, 2) Michael Voss, 3) Matt Baxter

Female
1) Bara Styblova, 2) Alice Mason 3) Kate MacDonald

For over 62 years, generations of Kiwis have taken on the iconic loop around Lake Rotorua. It’s a real rite of passage, and what makes it special is that there’s something for everyone, no matter your level, with this years line up including the:
• Red Stag Marathon
• NZCT Half Marathon
• Te Puia 10KM
• Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa 5KM

A significant highlight this year was the return of the Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay, which Rotorua Trust is proud to support. 💛

Once a much-loved event in the 1990s, the relay brings together Te Arawa marae teams to celebrate whakapapa, connection, and community. Running from marae to marae, it reflects a shared journey grounded in identity, place, and hauora.

He waka eke noa, we’re all in this together.

Well done again to everyone involved 👏

17/04/2026

Congratulations to Parksyde Community Centre for winning the morning tea shout from our recent Rotorua Trust Annual Survey! 🎉☕🍰

It was a pleasure to deliver the shout and recognise the incredible work Parksyde does, along with the fantastic network of volunteers who help make it all happen.

Since opening in 2001 as a Rotorua Trust millennium project, Parksyde has been bringing people together – creating a welcoming space where people can connect through a wide range of social, recreational, health and educational activities.

You can find out more and check out the wide range of activities on Parksyde’s website here: https://www.parksyde.org.nz/

A big thank you to everyone who took part in our annual survey, and congratulations again to the Parksyde team and volunteers 👏

16/04/2026

Ever wondered how much of what we throw away at home could actually be reused or turned back into something useful? 👀🌏

The food waste stats in these images are pretty eye-opening! 👀

At Rotorua Trust, we’re proud to support organisations like Envirohub Bay of Plenty, whose focus is on helping people learn easy, everyday ways to reduce waste and do a bit more with what we already have 🌱

One of the ways they’re doing this is through their free home composting workshops - hands-on sessions that are open to everyone and really down-to-earth 🪏👩‍🌾

They cover the basics like:
🍂 Composting at home
🥬 Bokashi systems
🪱 Worm farming

Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a small section, these workshops are a great way to get started or pick up a few new tips.

Upcoming workshop dates:
📍 Community Room, Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri
🗓 Saturday 25 July 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
🗓 Saturday 17 October 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm

🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/DEqjnxVFMZjJ3yUA6

15/04/2026

Looking for a way to keep rangatahi engaged and inspired these school holidays? 🌟

Our friends at Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust are hosting the Tū Rangatahi – Rangatahi Enterprise Wānanga this Saturday, 18 April. 🗓️

This full-day wānanga is focused on bringing side hustles to life or levelling up small business skills. From 3D printing taonga to designing and producing their own merchandise, participants will gain hands-on experience and leave with new knowledge and creations of their own. 🖨️🎨📝

The day is fully catered, and spaces are limited. 🎟️

It’s a great opportunity to support rangatahi to grow their skills, creativity, and confidence in a supportive environment. 💛

Register here: https://forms.gle/Dra8zm7HMC76mm628