Central Lakes Trust’s (CLT) September grants round saw close to $1.5 million granted to charitable organisations,
including $700,000 towards the establishment of an arts and cultural facility, Te Atamira in Queenstown Lakes.
The $4.2 million dollar project to establish an arts and cultural facility for the community is ‘now another step
closer’ says Te Atamira development director Olivia Egerton, who is delighted with confirmation of this significant
grant from a major funder.
“We are all elated! The Trust’s support is integral to achieving the fundraising goals for Te Atamira, and we are
delighted to have CLT’s commitment towards this much needed community facility. Along with private donors and support
from businesses, CLT’s grant means we are now over halfway to having all the funding in place. We are hopeful other
funders will also support this worthy cause. We are continuing to push forward, and we will hopefully commence work on
the fit-out in the first week of November.”
She further adds, “Central Lakes Trust’s support is an important seal of approval and vote of confidence that this
project is by and for the community. It also realises the decades of hard work of many who have supported arts and
culture, and done so without fit-for-purpose facilities. Hopefully, they will soon have a well-designed and equipped
space to create in.”
“We all know Queenstown Lakes has experienced phenomenal population growth over the past years. It stands to reason that
community facilities also need to grow in order to accommodate this rapidly growing population. This facility will cater
to more than 40 groups and organisations who have indicated interest in the nearly 1,400 square metre space. It will
offer two dance studios, two theatre spaces, a recording studio, multiple artist studios and music spaces, a pottery
workshop, a workshop classroom, a curated art gallery, and a flexible youth focused space,” she says.
Groups eager to use the space include the Wakatipu Potters and the Queenstown Performing Arts Trust which includes DEVOS
dance, Wakatipu Conservatoire of Classical Ballet, Remarkables Dance Crew, Turn up the Music, Queenstown Arts Centre and
several independent art and music teachers.
CLT chair Linda Robertson says, CLT recognises the need to respond to the region’s population growth and the importance
of arts and culture to our region’s long term resilience.
“Arts and culture enrich people’s quality of life and contribute to the cultural, social and economic vitality of the
district, something we need more than ever. That over 40 groups have already indicated they would use the space shows
the demand is certainly there.” says Ms Robertson.
Coastguard Wanaka Lakes are also recipients of a grant towards their new marine rescue centre based at Eely Point.
President Jonathan Walmisley says, ”We have been working alongside the Trust for a number of years while we got our
final site approved, to have our plans come to fruition is fantastic. Having a dedicated emergency response hub will be
a real asset for the community. It will allow a quicker response in emergency situations and will house our new rescue
boat and equipment.”
Since the Trust commenced 21 years ago, it has granted over $132 million back into the community. A total of $7.73
million of the $9.60 million grants budget for the 2021/22 financial year has been allocated to date, with three funding
rounds remaining in the current financial year.
GRANTS APPROVED – SEPTEMBER 2021Project grantsAotearoa Jazz Education and Performance TrustJazz on the Road 2021$2,460Arrowtown SchoolPlayground Climbing Frame$45,000Central Otago Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationCentral Otago 125th A Show$18,144Central Otago District Arts TrustPeople and Place: Central Otago Artists Stories$4,000Clyde Historical Museums Inc.Clyde Museum Refurbishment Project$6,671Coastguard Wanaka Lakes IncorporatedWanaka Marine Rescue Centre$312,000Cromwell Presbyterian ChurchLight Party 2021$3,063Otago County CricketMolyneux Park Electronic Scoreboard$14,250Te Atamira Whakatipu Community TrustTe Atamira Arts & Cultural Facility Establishment$700,000Te Kura Whakatipu o KawarauPlayground Project$55,000Wakatipu Yacht ClubRS Quest Boats for Learn to Sail Programme$10,200CLT InitiativesCentral Otago Queenstown Trail Network TrustMaintenance Fund$299,191Guarantee against loss (GAL)Southern Lakes Arts Festival TrustAspiring Conversations 2022$20,500TOTAL GRANTS APPROVED – SEPTEMBER 2021:$1,490,479FINANCIAL YEAR END 2021/2022:$7,733,541
Values shown for multiyear grants are for the 2021/2022 year only.ABOUT THE CENTRAL LAKES TRUST
Central Lakes Trust is a charitable trust that grant funds for charitable purposes.
It is the largest philanthropic trust per capita in the Southern Hemisphere. The trust purpose is to make a positive
lasting contribution to the community by supporting charitable projects throughout Central Lakes; to enhance our
community and the lives of the people within.
Since its inception in 2000 the Trust has grown its asset base from the $155m, bestowed by the Otago Central Electric
Power Trust to assets totalling $450m as at 31 March 2021, and has distributed more than $118m into a wide range of
community projects and services throughout the Central Lakes area.