Tō Tātou Rautaki

Equity means that everyone in society is valued the same and has the same access to opportunities. An equitable society is one that is fair, without bias and where all people can thrive on their own terms.

We want to improve equity in our communities now and for future generations. We do this by supporting priority communities across our region to decide what they need, lead their own solutions and achieve their hopes and dreams.

Our priority communities are Māori and Pacific Peoples, as well as the wider communities of Northland and South Auckland. We also prioritise solutions that place children and young people at the centre.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Thriving tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Improved equity and wellbeing as Māori and as Pacific peoples
• Communities leading their own solutions and changing systems
• Tangata whenua as partners in decision making
• Māori and Pacific languages and cultures thriving

Social inclusion means that everyone feels valued and included as part of our society, can access opportunities and influence decisions that affect them. We support approaches that reduce discrimination and racism and increase social inclusion. Former refugees, new migrants (fewer than five years in New Zealand), rainbow communities and people living with a disability are our priority.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Greater sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion
• Inclusive laws and policies
• Equal access to opportunity
• Self-determination and influencing decision making
• Meaningful participation in society by diverse communities

A regenerative environment approach supports a deeper understanding of the relationship between people and Te Taiao (the environment). We support joined-up approaches to conserving, restoring, and renewing the environment so that Te Taiao and people can flourish together. Initiatives proposed by tangata whenua are our priority.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Ecosystems and communities being renewed and regenerated
• Mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge, practices, and approaches) being recognised, valued and implemented approaches
• Tino rangatiratanga – community-led action for Te Taiao
• Connection and access to Te Taiao

Participation in positive activities improves community wellbeing. We support activities that bring communities together and improve community wellbeing.

We will support activity that will lead to:

• Communities coming together and social connection
• Access to and participation in community activities and spaces
• Increased skills and creativity
• Community pride
• Community resilience.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā kārangatanga. Tēnā koutou katoa.Ka whakamana a Foundation North i ona takohanga ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi hei kaitiaki pūtea mo Te Tai Tokerau mo Tāmaki Makaurau.

Foundation North will have regard to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in performing our obligations as the community trust for Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Our Te Tiriti intent

Kia wātea ai te ara | Our journey to be a Te Tiriti led organisation

In February 2024, Foundation North released a short film documenting our haerenga (journey) so far with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The film provides a window into our experiences; capturing pivotal moments and honouring those who have helped shape, and are continuing to shape, our unique narrative.

The film demonstrates our commitment to Te Tiriti and is a marker for our evolving haerenga. We recognise that countless organisations are on similar journeys, and we are eager to learn from each other.

Click here to watch the video

Foundation North and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei sign Kōtuitanga

Foundation North has strengthened its relationship with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, mana whenua and ahi kā of central Tāmaki and the Waitematā, with the signing of a kōtuitanga – a document that signifies the lashing or joining together of our shared purpose, and records aspirations for the future development of our relationship together.

On Monday 4 December 2023, Foundation North leaders joined Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei rangatira at Ōrākei Marae to bind their association through a formal signing of the kōtuitanga and an exchange of taonga. The kōtuitanga and accompanying five-year funding partnership will see Foundation North invest $7.5m towards Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s community-based projects, services and sustainability initiatives, with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei investing an equal amount in existing or new programmes and initiatives as part of its Ōrākei Masterplan.

Click here to watch the video

Te piko o te māhuri, pērā te tupu o te rākau
The way the young shoot bends is the way the tree will grow

We apply an inter-generational mindset to how we commit our resources, guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) and kotahitanga (togetherness). We will identify and prioritise opportunities for collective action on climate change, so that we can contribute to greater equity, community and environmental resilience, health and wellbeing. We also recognise the need to focus on our own operations and proactively take steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

Our commitment to climate action

Our investments

We use four levers towards our target of a net zero portfolio by 2050:

• we apply specified exclusions relating to the worst carbon-emitting industries
• we collect information about the ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies and ratings of our Fund Managers
• we measure our listed equity portfolio carbon emissions and other key metrics relative to net zero benchmark funds
• our listed equity managers vote their proxies and report on how they voted

Our granting

In the reporting year, Foundation North approved 81 grants that are Climate Action related totaling $16,895,874 in funds granted. The Youth Climate Collective also received support to develop its website and hold the Youth Climate Conference.

Our operations

An internal working group has developed a five-prong plan for how our organisation can reduce its emissions: waste, travel, energy, people and water.

Our collective action

Since 2021 Foundation North has pledged its support to the Funders Commitment on Climate Action, which aims to boost philanthropic endeavours towards addressing the climate crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand – the initiative published its 2024 annual report here. It’s been encouraging to see signatories extend to include other funders. Along with the eleven other community trusts, Foundation North is part of the Climate Action Working Group (CAWG) which shapes and progresses the work of Climate Action Aotearoa (CAA) and the Funders' Commitment. The CAWG is supported by our Centre for Social Impact and guides the mahi of two CAA Climate Co-Leads, appointed with funding from CAWG member trusts.

In September 2023 Trust Waikato, Rātā Foundation, Clare Foundation and Foundation North collaborated to connect with like-minded organisations in North America who are actively working towards Indigenous equity, impact, sustainability, and related challenges in the philanthropic sector. The report from this study tour is published here.

In 2023 the Combined Community Trusts (CCT) of Aotearoa agreed to pilot a Kaupapa of National Significance (KONS) Fund and that for the coming year, this would have a climate focus. TOI Foundation, Trust Waikato, Rātā Foundation and Foundation North committed a total of $500,000. A further $100,000 was contributed by Eastern & Central Community Trust, Otago Community Trust, Bay Trust and Community Trust South. The KONS Fund opened for applications in March 2024 - CCT’s Climate Action Working Group will make funding decisions, with Wellington Community Trust administering the fund and application process.