The wealth gap in New Zealand is growing – but many people behind philanthropic giving are changing the shape of charity. The changes are taking the form of new sorts of funds where ‘donors’ still get a return. They include bonds resulting in community housing being built, investments in education and health and ‘impact investment’. Read more
When Richard and Angela Wolohan created the Wolohan Family Foundation in 1986, they sought to use their wealth, derived in part from the sale of a successful lumber company, to support organizations and charities that appealed to their shared Catholic faith. Nearly 25 years later, both the founders had passed away and their seven children Read more
Two New Zealand rich listers are among the first signatories on a ‘Millionaires for Humanity’ letter urging governments across the world to raise the tax for the wealthy amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The Warehouse Group founder Sir Stephen Tindall and Hire Things founder Peter Torr Smith are two of 174 millionaires to have signed the Read more
Hundreds gathered in Apia on the Wednesday before Easter for the funeral of prominent businessman and philanthropist La’auli Alan Grey in what’s been described as a who’s who of Samoan society. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mulivai. Grey was the unassuming but astute businessman who took the legendary Aggie Read more
The prominent businessman Sir Patrick Goodman, who turned his family baking business in Motueka into a global enterprise, was laid to rest in his hometown of Motueka on Monday. Sir Patrick Goodman was the founding chairman of Quality Bakers New Zealand, which merged with Fielder Gillespie Davis and Allied Mills of Australia and Wattie Industries to become Read more
Each year, individuals, trusts and charities give around $3 billion dollars to New Zealand causes. Famous and not-so-famous wealthy individuals have generously given billions, established trusts, foundations, and charities. However, based on the available figures, it’s ordinary Kiwis who give the most to the philanthropic sector. Continue reading
Andrew Forrest recently donated $420 million of his $5.45 billion fortune to charity, the single largest donation by a living person in Australian history. His family supports his philanthropy, which will see him giving away most of his fortune. “Inheritance has never really made sense to me,” one of his children says. “You watch it Read more
A man who helped build modern Northland, the construction king, visionary and philanthropist Jack Guy, has died. His legacy reflects a devout religious side as well as a deep empathy for people, and his love of Northland. Guy was founding trustee and benefactor of the Catholic Homes Trust which built the Marian Heights Lifestyle Village. Read more
A New Zealander, Peter Cooper, has donated $US50 million to Georgetown Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Established in 1789, Georgetown is the USA’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. The donation is for the creation of a leadership programme for the university’s student-athletes, and to fund a sports field. “The athletics program at Georgetown has played a significant Read more
One day, Stephen and Margaret Tindall realised they simply had more money than they needed. It was 1994, and The Warehouse – the company created by Sir Stephen – went public. Their family was comfortable, so what was the best way to spend the money? The couple, always interested in philanthropy, put Mrs Tindall’s shares Read more