Looking after the things most precious

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation is an independent, local, not-for-profit charitable trust whose main role is to encourage charitable giving in the Opotiki, Whakatane and Kawerau District communities.

We help individuals and families get the most out of their charitable giving. Local people supporting local causes, forever.

We provide specialist fund management and grant-making expertise to a variety of local people who want to contribute to our communities, not just now, but well into the future.

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation was created for the people of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, by the community in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The Foundation is a simple and lasting way to support local charities and causes that are important to you.

Our vision is to encourage permanent sustainable endowment funds to support our community.

The benefit of our funds is that they will provide long-term and sustainable change to our communities and help shape how they function and grow.

We encourage simple and informed giving for individuals, families, businesses and generous groups to effectively and sustainably support causes that are important to them.

Giving to charity has a powerful role to play in ensuring the vibrant future of the communities of our region, as great places to live and work.

Tax-effective giving through the Eastern Bay Community Foundation ensures your generosity has maximum impact on our community and supports causes you care about with a minimum administrative cost burden.

Meet the team

Trustees

Our volunteer trustees are faithful and dependable local people, rotated and selected to represent the geographical and physical diversity of the region.

Scottie McLeod - Chairperson Scottie was appointed to the Foundation Board in late 2020. He brings to the board experience in governance, having served the community via the Rotary Club of Whakatane for many years, and held positions of regional and national leadership in Federated Farmers. Scottie is married to Jill, and together with the support of their family they have grown and maintained a significant dairy farming operation in the Awakeri District. Scottie & Jill have encouraged and championed many young people into dairy farming as a lifelong career, as well as being very supportive of the rural sector through tough times. In his 'spare' time, Scottie enjoys getting out and about with Jill, cycling and exploring our gorgeous countryside. “I am committed to the ideals of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation investing for the future making the region a better place to live and work. I encourage others to assist us in doing that.”

Jimmy Heal - Deputy Chairperson Jimmy was appointed to the Foundation Board in July 2021. Jimmy was born in Whakatane and raised in Edgecumbe and is passionate about the Eastern Bay. Jimmy trained with Foodstuffs NZ in their trainee operator programme, after starting out as a 'trolley boy' at 15, and working his way through the many levels of the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) trade in various locations, before purchasing his own store in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Jimmy and Tracey owned Opotiki New World for 11 years and during that time were able to contribute significant support to the community of Opotiki through their sponsorship. As Trustee of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, Jimmy has pledged to contribute to our community and is making a difference in the Marketing and Distributions and Grants Committees.

Diane Turner MNZM JP - TrusteeA longtime resident of Whakatāne and former Chief Executive of the Whakatāne District Council, Diane has returned home to live after commuting for work over the last fourteen years. She spent five years in Christchurch working in senior roles at the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. For the last nine years she has been the Director, Office for Seniors, a role based in Ministry of Social Development, Wellington, where her focus was to support the Minister for Seniors to advocate for the interests and issues of older people. Diane has been a Justice of the Peace since 2004. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list for services to governance, seniors and Māori. Diane is looking forward to spending more time in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with her husband and family. She welcomes the opportunity to serve as a Trustee of the Community Foundation and supporting its growth and development to benefit all those who live in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Viv Barr - TrusteeViv was appointed to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation in late 2018. She is currently the Convenor of the Policy Committee, and is the committee member of the Eastern Bay Womens Impact Fund. Viv is a very community focused person, who has a proven track record in supporting those in need across all sectors of the community. She was one of the instigators of the Eastern Bay Women’s Impact Fund started in 2022. Being a trustee for the Eastern Bay Community Foundation provides an opportunity to give back to the community her family have been part of for over a century.

Robyn Woolsey - TrusteeRobyn was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2018, representing the Ohope and Opotiki communities. Robyn brings astute business skills to the Foundation table and a strong network of contacts within the tourism and horticultural sectors across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Currently Robyn serves on the Distributions and Grants Committee of the Board, and is a committee member of the Eastern Bay Womens Impact Fund and the Opotiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund.

Paul Nicolson - TrusteePaul is a director of Synergy Accountants in Whakatane and lives at nearby Ohope Beach. He has 3 adult children and is proud Poppa Paul to 4 young grandchildren. Paul had a 30 year stockbroking career based in Auckland and semi retired to Ohope in 2007 where he enjoyed a 10 year hiatus prior to forming Synergy Accountants with business partner Judy Watson in 2017. Paul is a local Rotarian, enjoys regular overseas travel and loves a game of golf on the world class Ohope Beach Golf Links. He enjoys being able to contribute his time and expertise to an organisation that contributes so much to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region that he loves so much. Paul is convenor of the Finance and Investment Committee of the Foundation.

Dean Cole - TrusteeDean has been a long-time resident of the Whakatāne area, moving here in 1979. He's had diverse experiences, from working on a kiwifruit orchard to managing a sawmill. Since 1995, he's been involved in real estate. Dean is passionate about his community and has been involved in various clubs and committees. He enjoys sports, particularly squash and golf, and is a keen bridge player. He's also a food enthusiast and enjoys cooking for family and friends. Dean is committed to giving back to the community and believes in helping others. He's excited to be part of the Foundation and contribute to positive change in the local area.

Cherie Stevenson - TrusteeCherie joins the Board with a firm belief that vibrant communities are built on connection and resilience. As a communications strategist, she brings deep local and national experience to the table, currently serving as the Communications Lead for both the Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance and the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand. She is also the founder of Stellar Creative Marketing, having supported local businesses for over 15 years. Cherie is no stranger to the Foundation, having previously helped modernise its outreach on the Marketing Committee. A true local advocate, she is also a Junior Coach at the Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club. Cherie combines strategic insight with a "roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude, dedicated to ensuring the Eastern Bay remains a place where families can flourish.

Christine Mansell - TreasurerChristine is a trustee representing the Opotiki area and holds the Treasury role with the Foundation. She was born in Opotiki and has spent most of her life in the district, owning and operating Opotiki Pharmacy for 30 years. Why do I do it? I like to think that it is about community, looking after community where I can, and hopefully make a difference.

Shannon Harnett - Grants and Distributions committeeShannon joins us from Rural Chartered Accountants Whakatāne and has extensive experience in management and accounting in the NZ Primary sector. She brings passion and expertise to help us distribute funding where it can make the greatest impact.

Bradley Shaw - Marketing CommitteeBrad brings a number of skills to the Marketing Committee, as a local businessman within the funeral industry, his ability to work across many cultures, with respect and courtesy, his knowledge of digital capability and all that entails in a modern business environment and his networks gained since he bought an existing local funeral home in 2015. Brad is currently the Chairman for Pou Whakaaro, a local Trust that supports those living in challenging circumstances with wrap around services. He is also a national board member and vice president for the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand. Brad is the Chairman of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Board.

Staff

Gae Finlay - Board SecretaryGae has been the record keeper of all Community Foundation activities since the Opotiki Community Foundation began in 2009. She assisted with the transition of all paperwork and professional administration tasks associated with the transition to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation in 2014. Gae is fully employed as the Executive Assistant and Governance Support Officer at the Opotiki District Council. Gae has a deep and sincere commitment to the success of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation and is meticulous in her recording of all actions and activities of the Foundations meetings.

Angela Jackson - Foundation ManagerAngela has lived in the Bay of Plenty for most of her life, originally from Rotorua and moved to Whakatane almost 20 years ago. Angela has a background in health and advocacy, and comes with a wealth of community experience, as a trustee of the Eastern Bay of Plenty PHA (Primary Health Alliance). Angela is married to Martin and they have two amazing daughters, Emma and Greta. Angela’s Mum, Lys Soanes, lives in Ohope Beach. Angela is available Monday to Thursday and is responsible for the overall operations of the Foundation.

Mike Howe - Engagement ManagerMike is active in the community, working alongside individuals, charitable groups and businesses to realise their opportunities with the Eastern Bay Community Foundation. Mike was born and raised in Opotiki, where he was nurtured by his grandparents, well known identities, Gloria and Jack Howe. He went on to have a successful few years as a professional rugby player in the UK, eventually starting his own sports management company, managing rugby players into club rugby. Mike is married to his Scottish bride Karen and together they have two adult sons. Mike is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week or by arrangement.

Annual Report 25

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation grew in 2024/2025, with 50 funds, 6 Scholarships, and distributing over $172,000.00 to charities and individuals in our community.

We are incredibly privileged to be a part of that and conversations about giving.

Our team, the staff, volunteers, and trustees work incredibly hard for our local region and the communities that we live in. We can't thank them enough.

We hope that you enjoy looking at some of the stories in our 2025 Annual Report.

Thank you for everything you do, either working or volunteering with our community foundation or working with us as a partner and supporter.

It makes a huge difference.

2025 Annual Report pdf

2024 Annual Report pdf