SkyCity
Community
Trusts

WE ARE PROACTIVE IN OUR BID TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON HELPING FAMILIES TO BE FINANCIALLY SECURE.

Auckland

Overview

SkyCity Auckland Community Trust is a valued part of the commitment SkyCity Auckland has made to the local community since its inception in 1996.

Established by SkyCity Auckland's casino venue license, the Trust has distributed a total of over $57.7 million to more than 2,660 charitable organisations, both large and small, that have undertaken community assistance and development work in the area from the Far North through to the Bombay Hills. The Trust has a Board of Trustees who make decisions on grant allocations and set strategic priorities for the Trust.

What's new? 

Over the past two years, Aotearoa philanthropic communities have worked together to find different ways for more New Zealanders to experience the benefits of philanthropy. Local and international reviews of philanthropic practices have found that a shift was needed from more traditional forms of giving, to prioritising impactful funding models. These funding models’ value collaborative partnerships and focus on a variety of short and long-term outcomes.

In 2019, the SkyCity Community Trusts’ undertook a review which found that they were in a strong position to have a greater impact with their funding. Excited by the collaborative vision of the philanthropy sector and the ability to partner, the Trusts took the bold step to adjust their strategic priorities. Trustees were appointed to deliver an innovative funding framework, which has now been adopted, to support our communities to realise their potential.

Contact Details

To contact the SkyCity Community Team phone 09 363 7005 or email enquiries@skycitycommunitytrust.org.nz

Community Trusts

Auckland

Raewynne Jacobs

Community Investment and Development Trust Programmes & Relationships Advisor


Criteria

The SkyCity Auckland Community Trust has reviewed its strategy for this year. More information on the funding priorities can be found here.

 

 

NZ$57.7

MILLION

to over 2,660 charitable organisations from the Far North to the Bombay Hills. 

NZ$4,159,526.90

For the year ended 30 June 2023, SkyCity Auckland Casinos Limited contributed NZ$2,065,265 to the SkyCity Auckland Community Trust.


How to Apply

For more information please visit our SkyCity Auckland Community Trust site here.


Trustees

Marama Royal
Chair

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Marama is the current Chair of Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust holding this role since 2017. Marama is also an elected representative of Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust and has held this directorship since 2010. Marama brings extensive experience in strategic planning, relationship management, leadership, governance, and organisational change and has an extensive and impressive network in both local and central government and the not for profit social service sector.

Julie Amey
Trustee

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Julie joined SkyCity as Chief Financial Officer in 2021 coming from Shell, Australia. Julie is a highly experienced executive who has worked in senior finance roles with the Shell Group internationally, and previously held positions at Fletcher Challenge Energy, BBC Worldwide Publishing and Deloitte & Touche.

A highly respected and influential leader with a pragmatic, integrative style that leverages energetic collaboration, strong interpersonal skills and extensive experience to maximize stakeholder value. With proven success in inspiring diverse teams across business and finance communities to resiliently perform in dynamic environments, while driving impactful transformation and improvement agendas across the value chain.

Donald Mann
Trustee

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Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Ruapani, Kingdom of Tonga

Don Mann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, a non-government organisation which develops and implements public/private sector economic development and socio-cultural initiatives in the Pacific region. Don has over 35 years' experience in leadership roles across the public and private sector including four years as Head of Commercial Partnerships team at Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED). He is the former Commercial General Manager of the NZ Warriors NRL franchise and served 13 years with the NZ Police including seven years as a Detective with the Auckland Criminal Investigation Branch. Don's wife Louise is an experienced executive within the NZ Police. They live in Auckland with their daughters Sarah and Olivia. Don is a graduate of Massey University, a Certified Company Director, a Trustee of The Rising Foundation and an Executive Committee Member of Pacific Business Councils of NZ.

Te Arepa Morehu
Trustee

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Ko Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi te waka

Ko Maungakiekie te maunga

Ko Waitematā te moana

Ko Ngāti Whātua te iwi

Ko Te Arepa Morehu tēnei

 

Te Arepa is passionate for Māori success and professional in all his enterprises. He is intelligent and honest in everyday life with a high focus on his whānau. Outside of being a Service Designer and Trustee during the day, he likes to spend his spare time rolling around on the ground with his rapidly growingkids on his papakāinga in Ōrākei.

 

Pru Etcheverry
Trustee

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Pru is a director of an advisory business that works with NGOs, businesses and Government agencies. She works to strengthen the community sector building capacity through developing strategy, enduring business partnerships and sustainable revenue streams. Pru delivers advocacy solutions both internationally and within New Zealand. She has worked with the global non-profit organisation the Lymphoma Coalition for a number of years. While CEO of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) she grew LBC from a fledgling organisation to one of New Zealand’s most prominent NGOs and developed sustainable income streams generating $70 million. Prior to working in the NGO sector Pru had a corporate career in healthcare. She is currently the Chair of Te Ira Kāwai (Auckland Regional Biobank), Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and is a director for RAW (Reclaim another Woman). Pru was honoured in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), acknowledging the national and international impact of her work in the health and NGO sectors.

 

Wi Pere Mita
Trustee

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Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu, Waikato/Tainui

Wi Pere is a lawyer, mediator and consultant with over 10 years' experience in governance and law. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and holds a number of directorships and governance roles in the commercial, not-for-profit and private sectors. Wi Pere has practice experience in the areas of intellectual property, commercial law, HR, media, broadcasting & entertainment law and Māori legal issues.

 

Veisinia Maka
Trustee

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Veisinia Maka is of Tongan descent and hails from the villages of Folaha and Longoteme. She was raised in the hearty suburbs of Mangere and Panmure. Veisinia is a dedicated advocate for increased youth inclusiveness concerning the development of communities, systems, and processes. She is currently an Undergraduate University of Auckland student studying a Bachelor Arts and Law and hopes to become an appointed New Zealand Judge in the future. Veisinia is the Chairperson of the Tāmaki Youth Council, a YouthLaw Board Member, previously the Chairperson of Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Panel and a Kiwibank Local Hero. In her spare time, she dedicates her time to writing a blog called, 'Brown Privilege' in the hopes to share her lessons and learnings within institution through the eyes of a young Pasifika woman. She believes that storytelling can change the world and encourages young people to influence change by sharing the one thing that no one can take away from you - your experiences.

 

Rosie Nathan
Trustee

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Rosie was raised in the small settlement of Oturei which is located south of the northern Kaipara township of Dargaville and towards the Pouto Peninsula. Rosie comes to Foundation North with a wealth of experience in social, education and health service delivery. She has held roles in Wellington, Auckland and Tai Tokerau working with communities and across several government agencies. Her choice of careers has always been driven by her passion, pride and belief in her people; values instilled by her parents and both sets of grandparents. In her many roles Rosie has enjoyed the opportunity to influence policy, community development and service delivery ensuring it worked effectively for Māori. Her whakapapa links are Ngati Whatua, Ngapuhi and Ngati Porou.