Trust Horizon

10/06/2026

📋 An important milestone for our region

Trust Horizon's Private Bill is making steady progress through Parliament, and we're grateful for the strong support it has received along the way.

The Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill was introduced in February and completed its first reading in March, before progressing to a Select Committee hearing in April. The majority of submissions, including those from Horizon Energy Distribution Limited, local council, and iwi, were in support of the proposed changes.

The Bill proposes amendments to our Trust Deed to expand our scope beyond energy-related purposes, enabling broader charitable funding across Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, and Kaingaroa Village.

As our Chair, David Glover, says: "This change has the potential to unlock millions more in funding for the Eastern Bay each year."

We thank everyone who engaged and submitted their support. The Select Committee will now prepare its report before the next stage of the process, and we look forward to what lies ahead.

Read more about the Bill here 👇
https://www.trusthorizon.org.nz/blog/trust-horizon-private-bill-progresses

Trust Horizon’s Private Bill is continuing its steady progress through Parliament, marking a significant milestone in the Trust’s long-term goal to broaden its ability to support communities across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Read more.

04/06/2026

Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne 🌟

Back for its 5th year and shining brighter than ever!

📅 11–18 July 2026

Come experience the magic ✨
These July school holidays 💫

02/06/2026

☀️ Solar power, community investment, and putting money back where it matters

St Joseph's Catholic School Whakatane in the Eastern Bay is already reaping the rewards of a new solar system — and the story behind it is one we're really proud to be part of.

Through our community solar initiative, delivered in partnership with Community Finance, St Joseph's received a fully funded solar installation from SUPA Energy. The revenue from excess power sold back to the community is covering their loan repayments and bringing in around $900 a month on top of that.

In 10 years, once the loan is repaid, that income goes straight back into the kids.

As Principal Jo Brady puts it: "We wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of Trust Horizon and Community Finance."
It's exactly the kind of outcome this initiative was designed to create — making solar accessible to schools, marae, and community organisations across the Eastern Bay, with real financial and environmental benefits.

Trust Horizon has now financed over 700kW of solar and battery storage across the region, with a further $1 million in low-interest lending allocated. If your community organisation could benefit, we'd love to hear from you.

read the full story here:
https://www.trusthorizon.org.nz/blog/st-josephs-generates-solar-power

St Joseph's School is already seeing the benefits of a new solar power system, made possible through a community financing initiative delivered by Trust Horizon in partnership with Community Finance. Find out more.

24/05/2026

🌟 An opportunity for emerging governance leaders in the Eastern Bay

We're proud to continue our partnership with the Institute of Directors' Future Directors programme and we're now seeking expressions of interest for our next Board Observer.

The programme has been a genuinely valuable experience for Trust Horizon. Our inaugural Board Observer, Kataraina Monika, brought fresh perspective, thoughtful insight, and strong governance experience to our board table over the past 12 months. As her tenure wraps up in July, we're excited to welcome a new voice into the room.

if you're an emerging leader based in the Eastern Bay with a passion for governance, community development, and long-term regional impact — this could be the opportunity for you.

Applications close 29 May 2026. Find out more and express your interest here 👇

Following the success of its first appointment under the Future Directors programme, Trust Horizon is now seeking expressions of interest for a new Board Observer. Learn more.

21/05/2026

We're proud to have played a part in this one.

When Whakatāne District Council needed a smart, cost-effective way to fund solar at their Civic Centre, Trust Horizon stepped in with a loan structured so that the energy savings cover the repayments — making the whole project effectively cost-neutral.

Less than a year in, the results speak for themselves. 🌞👇

22/04/2026

🔔 Governance Opportunity

Trust Horizon is seeking to appoint an independent Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee to strengthen Board oversight across financial reporting, audit, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

This is an important leadership role for an experienced governance professional with strong financial acumen, sound judgement, and a commitment to best-practice governance.

If you have significant Board or Audit & Risk Committee experience and want to contribute to positive outcomes across the Eastern Bay of Plenty, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Applications, including a covering letter and CV, can be sent to [email protected]
🗓 Applications close 14 May 2026

Find out more here:
https://www.trusthorizon.org.nz/blog/audit-and-risk-committee-chair-whakatane

Trust Horizon (an EBOP charitable Trust) is seeking to appoint an independent Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee (A&R) to strengthen Board oversight of financial reporting, audit, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Find out more.

19/04/2026

🏠 Helping Eastern Bay homes stay warm this winter

We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the local Curtain Bank, supporting a service that has helped hundreds of households across the Eastern Bay of Plenty stay warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient.

Since 2012, Trust Horizon has provided the Curtain Bank with a rent-free space to operate from — helping reduce overheads so its dedicated volunteers can focus on what matters most: transforming donated curtains into quality, insulated window coverings for families in need.

Over the past 10 years, around 700 homes have benefited from this incredible community initiative. Properly fitted curtains don’t just provide warmth — they can improve wellbeing, reduce energy costs, and give reusable materials a second life.

We’re honoured to support the volunteers and organisations working quietly behind the scenes to make a real difference in our community.

💙 Want to help? Clean, good-quality second-hand curtains can be dropped off at Arrow Accounting reception.

Learn more here:
https://www.trusthorizon.org.nz/blog/70-more-homes-to-stay-warm-this-winter

A long-standing partnership between Trust Horizon and the local Curtain Bank is continuing to help Eastern Bay of Plenty homes stay warm and healthy this winter. Learn more.

16/04/2026

🔔 Governance Opportunity

We’re seeking an independent Audit & Risk Committee Chair to help strengthen governance and oversight at Trust Horizon.

This is a key role supporting our Board to ensure strong financial integrity, risk management, and accountability as we continue to serve the Eastern Bay of Plenty community.

🗓 Applications close 14 May 2026 — find out more below 👇

03/03/2026

A major milestone for our community!

On 26 February 2026, our Trust Variation Bill was introduced to Parliament by Dana Kirkpatrick — an important step toward unlocking millions more in future grants for the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Trust Horizon chief executive Derek Caudwell says:
"The Bill's introduction is a key step towards it being publicly debated and hopefully adopted by Parliament. The change would allow the Trust to catch up with other charitable Trusts, giving us the flexibility to benefit communities based on need, strategic direction, and available funds."

This update would expand our remit from energy-only grants to broader charitable purposes, allowing us to support housing, health, education, the environment, and more — while continuing to back energy initiatives.

With strong community support and over $50 million already granted locally, this change could unlock even more impact for the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

👉 Read the full release:
https://www.trusthorizon.org.nz/blog/trust-horizon-introduces-private-bill

In a major step towards unlocking millions in future grants that support Eastern Bay of Plenty communities, Trust Horizon’s ‘Trust Variation Bill’ was introduced to parliament on 26 February 2026, by Dana Kirkpatrick, MP for the East Coast. Read more.