The Trust has a single annual round for the funding of significant regional projects. These are facilities where applicants seek $1 million or more. 

 


Stardome aims to create a unique, unforgettable multi-media experience

In 2006 the Trust set up a single annual round for the funding of significant regional projects – typically for facilities where applicants were requesting $1 million or more.

The initial budget was $10 million, but when we got 16 applications worth a total of $45 million, we knew we were going to have to make some hard decisions.

These were big regional projects where the applicants already had strong community support and signifi cant fi nancial backing from other sources. To introduce an extra level of contestability and rigour, we contracted professional external assessors to help us measure the value the community would get.

The five-month, two-stage process looked for projects with strong community support, positive outcomes, sustainability and value for money. We decided to fund five projects:

  • Tangaroa College, Otara: $1,475,000
  • Te Ahu Charitable Trust, Kaitaia: $3,000,000
  • Auckland Observatory: $1,050,000
  • ASB Showgrounds, Auckland: $3,850,000
  • New Theatre Initiative, Auckland: $2,645,000

Tangaroa College

Otara’s Tangaroa College is building a multi-million dollar sport and recreation facility. It already had funding from the Ministry of Education and its own funds, so the Trust’s contribution completed the funding puzzle, says Principal Ngaire Ashmore.

“We are so grateful to the ASB Community Trust for taking the time to really understand that our application was not about a building, or bricks and mortar, but about creating a place that will enhance the outcomes and opportunities for our community, particularly our youth,” she says.

“This facility will mean so much for our community. Students are already talking about how it could be used and what activities they could use it for in the evenings. They are even talking about hosting a chess competition.”

Ms Ashmore says the last year has shown how important it is for communities to make meaningful connections with young people.

“Otara has experienced, in recent times, real sadness with a section of its youth. We are confi dent that this facility will draw the youth in and give them an opportunity to be involved in really positive activities. There are some really exciting changes happening in Otara, particularly with youth. This complex adds to that excitement and could not have happened at a better time.”

Auckland Observatory

Old analogue equipment threatens to make Auckland Observatory’s Stardome obsolete in a digital age – so the Trust’s grant will help Stardome install NZ’s fi rst full-dome digital projection system. This will recreate the night sky as a super high-resolution video image.

Stardome aims to create a unique, unforgettable multi-media experience, using the latest digital tools to provide a world-class  stronomical education resource for the region.

New Theatre Initiative

The vision of a fl exible performance centre that can adapt to the needs of Auckland’s changing demographics drives the New Theatre Initiative trust. NTI plans to build the $12 million Q Theatre as the foundation of a new arts hub near the Town Hall.

The world-class, medium-size theatre will be a pre-eminent and fl exible venue for contemporary performing arts – a place for vibrant, spirited theatre and dance, representing the best of local, national and international fl avours.

“NTI is enormously appreciative of the support already given by ASB Community Trust (almost $1m in 2005 and more than $1m in May 2006),” says NTI co-chair Justin Lewis. “It is a fact that this has enabled us to turn the project from an imagined space into the reality of a site and a managed project.”

Te Ahu Charitable Trust

Kaitaia’s Te Ahu Charitable Trust is building the biggest multipurpose facility north of Auckland. The $9 million centre will house a museum, arts centre and gallery, library, visitor information centre, conference centre and district council service centre.
“Apart from the magnifi cent fi nancial boost this represents, it is also a clear indication of the confi dence ASB Community Trust has in the merits of the project, their confi dence in the Trust and their willingness to invest in the Kaitaia community generally,” commented Te Ahu Charitable Trust chairman Ian Bamber.

ASB Showgrounds

A major upgrade of ASB Showgrounds will modernise the country’s largest event centre, which hosts more than a million visitors each year.
The work began in 2005, when it was obvious the facility’s old buildings were falling below the standard required to attract major national and international shows. The total project has been costed at $28 million and the Trust’s latest contribution brings confi rmed funding to almost $27 million.
The charitable trust which runs the facility, Auckland Agricultural Pastoral & Industrial Shows, is confi dent the finished centre will boost the region’s economy, with an economic benefit study showing a return to the country of more than $100 million over the next 10 years.