$1,000,000 of transformative support for the people and places of Porirua
Image via Pinikilicious.
During the 1940s, state planning was undertaken for the development of Porirua. At the time, the area originally known as Pari-ā-Rua, meaning ‘the tides sweeping up both reaches’, was intended to become a satellite city – a ‘mini- Wellington’ linked by a highway and public transport – but over 80 years on, ‘a mini-Wellington’ it is anything but.
One of the most culturally diverse communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, Porirua is known for its unique vibrancy, enigmatic community spirit and collective solution-finding attitude. “In Porirua, you’ll find so many people with warm hearts,” says Anita Baker. And she would know. She’s the Mayor.
“Here, you’ll find so many people that quietly help their communities,” says Mayor Baker. “There is no fanfare with it, it’s just part of what you do here.”
An innovative for-purpose landscape
One such resident is Josephine Olsen, founder of the Oasis Community Café. Although Oasis was originally started in Wainuiomata over 23 years ago, it set up shop in Porirua’s Waitangirua Mall 8 years ago. Since then, Josephine estimates it has provided a safe space for connection for over 12,000 locals.
“We’re a circuit breaker – we are here when people fall over and empower people to find their purpose,” says Josephine.
It’s more than just a cup of tea. Oasis’s purpose is to build people up through hospitality, mentoring, advocacy and referral to social services if the need arises.
“Whatever help they may need, we walk with them until they’re on their way.”
This neighbourly, collaborative spirit is reflected throughout Porirua’s for-purpose landscape. “We see so much good mahi coming out of Porirua,” says Nikau Foundation Porirua Local Committee Chair Colin Bleasdale. “There is amazing generosity and drive to find local solutions to local challenges.” This drive can be observed in many local success stories, including the Āhuru Mōwai Trust. Meaning ‘calm space, sheltered haven’, the Trust was founded by locals Paul and Mandy Latham in 2016 to provide support and encourage play opportunities for children with extra or special needs.
With their own lived experience of raising children with special needs, they wanted to create spaces where families could socialise without judgement. “We [were] determined to provide other families with opportunities that weren’t available to us,” says Paul. “These places are where parents can gain the confidence to try new things and have positive experiences for the whole family, making their worlds bigger not smaller as their children grow.”
These experiences include Awesome Bounce, which offers a safe space for children with sensory issues, music and brick therapy sessions. “Āhuru Mōwai is testament to the power of people,” says Nikau Porirua committee member and former Deputy Mayor Izzy Ford. “It shows how a simple solution can make such an impact for families.”
An enduring asset for Porirua communities
Porirua’s community spirit is not new. In 1977, Trust Porirua was established to support charitable purposes within the local area. For over 40 years, the Trust provided funding to a range of causes and ensured that the local community took control of local funding.
With the costs associated with running a trust increasing, the trustees decided to look for strategic options to maximise funding delivered to the community while retaining the Trust’s charitable intent. The decision was made to transfer the remaining Trust assets to Nikau Foundation to tap into economies of scale and ensure that the fund would be professionally managed long into the future. The Porirua District Fund was established in 2018 with an agreement that its grant-making would continue to be advised by passionate locals.
“It’s important for us to fund in a way that’s tailored to Porirua,” says Colin. “We are a unique community with unique challenges, and our grants make sure we are effecting positive change on a hyper-local level.”
Transformative local support
In 2024, the Porirua District Fund surpassed the impressive milestone of $1,000,000 in funding delivered to support local people and places. Over 6 years, the fund balance has also grown by 22% from $5.5 million to almost $6.5 million.
Reflective of Porirua’s young population (40% of the population are aged under 25), over $170,000 has been directed to support youth organisations and initiatives such as The Salvation Army’s Fresh Koko programme. The holiday programme aims to provide platforms for success, resilience and equity through exploration and connection with their Pasifika roots.
“Funding from Nikau Foundation has been instrumental in addressing critical needs within the Pasifika community in Porirua,” says Salvation Army Regional Relationships Manager Aaron Peat. “The demand for culturally safe and non-judgemental mentorship for Pasifika youth is high. The support has allowed us to create environments where young people can embrace their cultural identity.”
Growing the funding base
With a fast-growing population and a large demand for community funding, the role of local generosity will only increase.
“The great thing about the Porirua District Fund is that it was established to be here forever, and it will grow over time,” says Colin. “By contributing to the fund, either now or through a bequest, donors have the opportunity to support local initiatives and make sure our communities have access to the support they need long into the future.”
As the Tokelauan saying goes, toto hau tokiga nei, aua na tupulaga e fai mai (plant a seed today, for our future generations).
Download our 2024 Impact Report
Featuring almost 50 voices from accross the for-purpose sector - from volunteers to donors, funders to people on the front lines, founders to for-purpose organisations - Nikau’s 2024 Impact Report shares stories of impact and generosity from accross Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington region, funding and philanthropy trends and key mahi to grow generosity to support the people and places of our region.