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Impact in Action with Waka Eastern Bay

When the Women's Impact Fund selected Waka Eastern Bay as their main grant recipient in 2025, the goal was simple: create more opportunities for local women to connect, build confidence, and enjoy new experiences together....

Women's Impact Fund Awards $42,000 to Ōpōtiki Wellbeing Programme

A new wellbeing programme for women in Ōpōtiki is set to make a lasting difference thanks to support from the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund.At this year's Women's Impact Fund voting event, donors selected EmpowerHER, a new programme from Ihi Kura Wellness Centre, as the recipient of a $42,000 grant.Led by Aldean Williams, EmpowerHER is a holistic wellbeing initiative designed to support women through a combination of hauora, movement, mātauranga, connection, and personal development. The fu...

Introducing the Bay Men’s Fund

The Eastern Bay Men’s Fund will launch on Monday 30th November 2026, bringing together men from all walks of life and communities across the Eastern Bay. The idea is simple: create opportunities for local men to get out, connect with people they might not otherwise meet, and enjoy worthwhile experiences together, all while making a lasting difference in the Eastern Bay.Members will make a small monthly contribution, combining many modest donations into a meaningful pool of funding. Each year, ...

October 2026 Newsletter

It’s been a busy month, with two large events - a Community Keynote and Expo resilience expert Dr Lucy Hone, and our Eastern Bay Community Foundation Annual Dinner - as well as the awarding of our local scholarships.This month we highlight:Scholarship recipients for 2026Our recent eventsA morning with the Ōpōtiki Arts SocietyGiving that lasts beyond a lifetime - national survey resultsUpcoming events...

Creativity flourishing in Ōpōtiki

Every Tuesday, the historic old Salvation Army Barracks building in Ōpōtiki comes alive with creativity. Its rooms fill with laughter, friendship, learning, and a growing community of talented artists who gather to share their passion for creative expression.The Ōpōtiki Art Society has experienced remarkable growth, with membership tripling over the past three years. What began as a small gathering of artists has become a thriving hub where people of all ages and abilities come together to l...

Trustee Diane Turner receives MNZM

One of the things we love about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation is the people behind it.That's why we're delighted to celebrate one of our trustees, Diane Turner, who recently received her insignia as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.Many people in the Eastern Bay will know Diane from her time as Chief Executive of the Whakatāne District Council. Others may know her through her work supporting older New Zealanders as Director of the Office for Seniors, or through the many governa...

Local causes to benefit from growing giving trend

An increasing number of New Zealanders are considering leaving a gift to charity in their will, a trend that could have lasting benefits for Eastern Bay communities. New research released by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) suggests more than half of people who already support charitable causes are interested in including a charitable gift in their will, with almost one in five surveyed saying they have already done so. Eastern Bay Community Foundation manager Ange...

September 2026 Newsletter

This month we highlight:Community Keynote and Expo eventAnnual Dinner tickets on sale nowAnnual Impact Report and shaping our futureWills monthUpcoming events...

Local business leading a new approach to giving back

A growing number of businesses are looking for ways to support their communities beyond sponsorships and one-off donations. For Whakatāne-based Gateway Funeral Services, that meant creating a permanent fund designed to benefit the Eastern Bay for years to come....

Verna's Legacy of Giving

The story of Verna McDonnell's enduring gift to Ōpōtiki - As published in our 2026 Annual Impact Report...

New environmental scholarship launched

Monkey Puzzle Tree is a weird name isn't it?The generous donor who established this fund spend time marveling at a Monkey Puzzle Tree in Glasgow, Scotland, wanted to name the scholarship something enduring and interesting.Having seen first-hand the need to consider our environment, this scholarship has been set-up to support local students from Whakatāne High School and Trident High School who are graduating and pursuing tertiary study in environmental science or related disciplines.The Mo...

Applications open for 2026 Tertiary Scholarships

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation is delighted to announce that applications for four local scholarship funds will open on 1 August 2026.Established through the generosity of local families and donors who are passionate about giving back, these scholarships aim to support our region’s talent, ease the financial burden of tertiary study, and encourage the next generation of Eastern Bay leaders to excel across a wide range of fields.If you or someone you know is pursuing tertiary education or...

Women's Impact Fund Reaches Record $56,000

Our Women's Impact Fund celebrated a record-breaking year at its annual High Tea and Fund Reveal event held recently at the Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club.Donors, trustees and supporters gathered to celebrate the power of collective giving, with a special appearance from East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick. Attendees heard that the fund had reached $54,800 during the event, before a few last-minute donations pushed the total to an impressive $56,000 overnight – the largest fuding pool raised sinc...

New Grants Hit the Right Note

A new fund established by one of the Eastern Bay’s most dedicated music advocates is set to help inspire the next generation of local musicians. Applications opened this week for the EBOP Music Development Fund, created by New Zealand Order of Merit recipient Warner Haldane to help aspiring musicians aged 10 to 25 develop their skills, experience and passion for music....

Ōhope Beach Golf Links Development Fund Launches

Staff and trustees of the Foundation met with Ōhope Beach Golf Links club members this week to showcase a new development fund.The Ōhope Beach Golf Links Development Fund has been launched to preserve the legacy of the Club, which has been a centrepoint of the Ōhope community for over 5o years. The new Development Fund has been established with the dual purpose of financially supporting specific projects, while also providing long-term sustainable funding for the Golf Club - ensuring the com...

New Funding Opportunities Target Key Needs

Mental health, the environment and youth support are key community needs being targeted in the Eastern Bay Community Foundation’s latest round of grants, which are open for application from June 1st to 30th.Local Charities, charitable trusts, and schools can apply for a share of the funding, which is made possible through endowment funds established by generous local donors. ...

How to Complete a Grant Application

Having trouble with your grant application? Here's a step by step guide to using our online portal....

Giving back to the community you grew up in and love

The Eastern Bay of Plenty has a way of staying with people. Its uniqueness, its people, and even when life leads elsewhere, that sense of belonging doesn’t disappear.For Ross, and his wife Josephine, Opotiki is an inseparable part of their story.From growing up in Opotiki, Ross grew a feeling of gratitude for the experiences the region has provided him.This inspired a commitment to give back and make a positive change to the town and the creation of the Riverside Endowment Fund.This fund is do...

Celebrating the Next Generation of Rural Leaders

On 8 May, the Eastern Bay farming community gathered to honour the life of Rod McPherson and to celebrate the enduring legacy that continues through the Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship.Held at the Awakeri Events Centre and hosted by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, the evening brought together more than 50 friends, family members and supporters - as well as two scholarship recipients. While the event marked a significant loss, it was also a powerful reminder of how generosity and c...

Ōpōtiki Kiwifruit Growers supporting opportunities on the water

Weekly on the awa, you’ll find them training. Rain or shine, the members of the Kura ki Tai Waka Ama Club are out on the water, honing their skills in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing sports.This past season, the club set its sights on the national stage, with intense training sessions leading up to major events at Blue Lake (Tikitapu) in Rotorua and Lake Karapiro.Waka ama (outrigger canoeing) is more than just a competitive water sport; it is a vital part of New Zealand’s cultural ide...

A new opportunity for Tarawera High School students

We are thrilled to announce the establishment of a new Scholarship Endowment Fund with the Eastern Bay Community Foundation. This legacy has been created by a family with deep roots in Kawerau, having lived in the community during the 1970s and 80s. Though their professional journeys eventually took them to Auckland and Wellington, their connection to the town where their children attended school remains strong.The primary goal of this scholarship is to provide a "hand up" to Tarawera High Schoo...

Women's Impact Fund launches 2026 funding cycle

On March 8th, among the stunning scenery of the Waingarara Event Venue, the Eastern Bay Women’s Impact Fund officially launched its 2026 funding cycle. The event, which coincided with International Women’s Day, served as both a celebration of collective female philanthropy and a powerful look forward at the impact yet to be made in the region.Since its inception five years ago in 2022, this dedicated giving circle has achieved a remarkable milestone, distributing nearly $200,000 to vital loc...

Local Giving Partnership Tees Off for Junior Golfers

There is an exciting momentum building across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It’s a spirit of "local helping local," where businesses and residents are increasingly looking for ways to be part of our local communities and give back. Most recently, this spirit has found its home on the greens of the Whakatāne Golf Club.For many, golf is more than just a sport, it’s a lesson in patience, discipline, and community. The Whakatāne Golf Club has long been a hub for these values, particularly through...

Small acts with big impact, local Starfish Fund supports Ōpōtiki St John Health Shuttle

The Ōpōtiki St John Health Shuttle is a lifeline for our community, with dedicated volunteers ensuring residents can reach vital health appointments in Whakatāne and Tauranga. Whether it’s a specialist visit, a skin clinic, or essential cancer treatments, the shuttle removes the stress of transport for those who need it most.While the service runs on a koha (donation) basis, the reality is that some patients struggle to meet this cost. To ensure no one is left behind, the Eastern Bay C...

It’s easy to give and get (your tax) back

All around the world, tax rebates - or sometimes government funding that matches your donations[1] - are used to encourage people to donate more to charities and causes. It’s a powerful way to inspire generosity and shows that private donations are truly valued in helping to build strong, vibrant communities....