BACK
Our aim is to enable transformational change by supporting our communities’ aspirations. Our work drives participation, building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities, who have the capability to determine their own futures.
Since 1996, we have distributed over $146 million in community grants.
We’re proud to say we’ve helped build parks, sports, and arts facilities, protect the local environment, enable rangatahi to find their voice, and enrich the health and wellbeing of many whanau who live in our region.
Growing Thriving Communities became our brand proposition. The idea was built on the whakataukī about unity, working together and the strength of community, including the colour scheme.
Kotahi te aho ka whati; ki te kāpuia e kore e whati |
One strand of flax is easy to break, but many strands together will stand strong.
The new colour palette is inspired by the Harakeke flax which can be found from the coast to the mountains throughout ECCT’s region. The harakeke flax plant represents the people, who are at the core of ECCT’s communities. The rito (shoot) is the child. It is protectively surrounded by the awhi rito (parents). The outside leaves represent the tūpuna (grandparents and ancestors). The use of a colour gradient – that goes from dark to light - showcases the transformational change that ECCT makes to the communities they serve.
The graphic in the background represents ECCT’s six regions advancing as one towards greater prosperity. The traditional Taki Toru arrangement reflects the community need, matched equally by ECCT’s response. The upward trajectory speaks to the regions thriving while the solid triangle base speaks to growing stronger and more sustainable communities.
Our History.
In 1988 the Government established 12 independent Community Trusts across New Zealand and gave each trust ownership of their local Trust Bank. Our regional Trust was renamed Eastern and Central Community Trust Inc.
When Trust Bank was sold to Westpac in 1996, we received $109 million as our share of the proceeds. We invested the money in a diversified range of assets here and overseas. Over the years, we’ve increased our capital base to well over $210 million, using the returns from these investments to provide grants to our communities.
Our Strategic Plan
Reading our Strategic Plan will help you understand our vision, the communities we prioritise, our values, our drivers and the way we like to do things.
Meet our Trustees
Our Trustees have overall responsibility for all the decisions we make. They set our strategic direction and provide governance on our day-to-day activities.
Meet our Team
We have a strong and capable team who are passionate about delivering for the communities we serve.
Meetings & Reports
Our Annual Reports provide an annual summary of our activities, our financials and the things we are focused on. You can also watch our recent Annual Public Meeting held around our six regions.
Climate Change Action Plan
See how we are reducing our impact on the planet while supporting our communities to mitigate climate change impacts.
