Rangatira Annual Report 2025 - Flipbook - Page 32
Rangatira Investments
Principal charitable shareholder
J R McKenzie Trust
In 2024, amid global turbulence and feedback on its
application processes, the J R McKenzie Trust refined its
approach to funding. Upstream solutions remain a focus
of the Trust along with streamlining processes.
A significant recurring theme present in the J R
McKenzie Trust’s learnings over the year was one of
“turbulent times”, represented by challenges such
as economic instability, increasing mis- and disinformation, climate change, growing inequity, and the
rise in rapidly developing AI technologies.
These challenges can overwhelm and divide, but they
can also unite. Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
are galvanising in the face of these changes, from
responding to extreme weather events through to
responding to changes in Government priorities.
For the J R McKenzie Trust, the pressures created by
these challenges have demanded a focused, strategic
response. With its overarching goal of advancing equity
in mind, the Trust identified some of the most impactful
strategies, trends, and ways of working that help guide
the Trust as it provides funding to support community
organisations in their mahi:
Collective values are coming to the fore
These times reveal our interdependence and the need
to prioritise shared values and community wellbeing,
especially as Aotearoa New Zealand becomes more
diverse.
Adversity and necessity drive collaboration
Existing systemic issues compounded by new
emergent challenges have created the need for
collaboration between community groups with
common interests and concerns. Our new more
relationally-based funding system also supports a more
collaborative approach – both with community groups
and other funders.
Staying the course
Adopting a stepwise, goal-oriented approach enables
communities to influence change, proving that with
consistent strategic effort, even large institutions can
be held accountable.
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Way of being as important as doing
Hope, optimism, and a supportive spirit–sometimes
even more than specific actions–can be powerful
drivers of systemic change. This “way of being”
also applies to funders like the J R McKenzie Trust.
Community members asked the Trust to reconsider
its funding application processes which were thought
to be time consuming, competitive, and with a limited
chance of success. As a result the Trust’s operating
model has been adapted to ensure relationships are at
the core of all work and funding.
Rangatahi leadership and succession
Supporting and developing young leaders is crucial
across all sectors, as communities and iwi alike
recognise the universal challenge of succession and
the need to ensure young leaders are prepared to meet
the challenges of today and tomorrow.
A great example of rangatahi leadership is seen in
Hāpai Tūhono (see photo), a Māori career development
organisation funded by the J R McKenzie Trust. The
organisation’s 12-week programme was codesigned
with rangatahi.
Centring lived experience and community-led
within a service-led culture
The J R McKenzie Trust values the voice and influence
of those with lived experience, raising community
voices for influence, and growing participatory
decision-making.
Tackling the persistent and pervasive nature
of racism and prejudice
Across communities, interests, and sectors, people
noted the embedded nature of stigma and prejudice.
This is experienced particularly starkly by Māori,
Pasifika, LGBTQI+, disability, and ethnic communities.
Shifting mindsets to combat prejudice and racism
and grow social justice remains a focus of the Trust’s
strategy.
