The extraordinary legacy of a modest man
Elma (left) and Adam (right) with relative, Katrina in middle.
The Elma Coxon Fund – Nīkau Foundation’s first fund – was established in 2007 as a lasting tribute to a deeply loved sister. Today, it continues to make a meaningful impact for our local communities, reflecting the values and quiet generosity of the man behind it, Adam Coxon.
Born in Balclutha in 1921 and raised in Dunedin, Adam shared an exceptionally close bond with his sister Elma, who was 10 years older than him. The two lived together for most of their lives, remaining devoted companions into old age. Their early years were marked by hardship. After his parents separated when Adam was still very young, mother Jessie, Elma and Adam moved in to a succession of rented accommodation. Elma worked in a department store to support her mother and younger brother – Adam later described this time as one of “extreme poverty”. Despite these challenges, faith remained central to Adam’s life. The family became involved with St Peter’s Church in Caversham – a connection Adam maintained throughout his lifetime.
A passion for teaching
Adam attended Otago Boys’ High School before training as a teacher. He later completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago and became Head of Mathematics at Dunedin’s King’s High School. In 1962, he moved to Singapore to teach at St Andrew’s School, where he spent 2 years before returning to New Zealand. After completing an honours degree in education, Adam returned to Singapore in 1971. Elma joined him there the following year, and the siblings returned to New Zealand in 1974. Adam worked briefly for the Correspondence School in Wellington before being appointed Head of Mathematics at Rongotai College in Kilbirnie. Together, he and Elma settled in Lower Hutt. After retiring in 1981, Adam continued relief teaching, while he and Elma explored creative interests, 14 attending art classes to learn drawing, watercolour and oil painting.
When Elma died in 2006, she left her estate to Adam. Wanting to manage his charitable giving thoughtfully, Adam sought advice from lawyer Alistair Gilchrist. “Adam had been left a decent sum of money by his sister – around $100,000. I encouraged him to set up a fund with Nīkau because I knew the Foundation would be able to fulfil Adam’s wishes.” Around this time, Adam was put in touch with Nīkau’s then Development Manager Adrienne Bushell, who recalls the many cups of tea Adam made as they discussed the vision for the fund. “Adam had enough to live on. When the estate came through, he thought, ‘What can I do?’ I truly believe establishing the fund gave him a reason for living. The two of them were so close – she was his lifelong companion.”
Adam passed away in 2014, but through their fund, which provides support to causes across the areas of health, arts, education and conservation, Nīkau continues to ensure that his and Elma’s memory is everlasting. In the fund’s early years, it delivered transformative support to the Wellington Activity Centre, helping children to succeed in mainstream education – a connection, community and cause that Adam held close to his hear.
“It was a brilliant alliance, and they adopted dear Adam – he’d visit the school and the children would make him lunch,” Adrienne says. “It was an organisation that he would not have otherwise known about, yet it fitted his desires and wishes perfectly, so it was a great thing.” Adam’s belief in Nīkau Foundation’s work was evident in his final act of generosity. In his will, he left his own estate to the Foundation, creating the Jessie, Elma and Adam Coxon Endowment Fund. This fund continues to grow and support organisations focused on education, religion, health and alleviating financial hardship.
Nīkau Funding and Relationships Manager Lindy Young says donors like Adam are vital, particularly in challenging times. “Part of the wonderful legacy that Adam has left us is creating two funds that are both flexible and future-proofed, without tight conditions or constraints. This means that we can use what’s available each year to respond to the needs we are seeing in the current moment, in line with Adam’s wishes. This has been critical for us over the last few years, enabling us to target funding to address the cost-of-living crisis,” she says. “Through Adam’s generosity, we’ve been able to support organisations such as the Wellington City Mission, Meat the Need, Everybody Eats and Shelter Masterton.”
Giving that grows
Adam’s legacy is also crucial to organisations like Wellington Samaritans, which has been able to sustain its helpline service and train volunteers with grants from the fund. “This generosity directly empowers us to keep this vital lifeline running and helps us reach more people before they reach crisis point,” says Fundraising and Marketing Officer Jonathon Davies.
Since the respective funds were established, they have collectively given out almost $300,000 to causes close to Adam’s heart. With both funds continuing to grow and give back, Adam’s legacy to our community will be enduring. Even 12 years after Adam’s passing, Lindy believes Adam would be thrilled to see how his gifts are making an impact locally. “I’d love to have been able to take him to some of the projects he’s supported. I’m sure he would be happy that his gift is helping to address poverty, support health organisations, helping feed people and ensuring safety for those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” says Lindy.
“Knowing that his money would continue making a difference after his passing was a great motivation for Adam,” says Alistair. “He was a man of deep Christian faith, so creating these two funds was a way of putting that into action. Adam was so modest and humble, but he was really quite extraordinary.”
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