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TECT becomes Manawa Trust

After more than 30 years of serving the Western Bay of Plenty, TECT Community Trust has today become Manawa Trust, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of the region’s most significant community trusts.Gifted by Ngāti Hangarau, the name Manawa means heart. It reflects the life force that connects people, place and future, while acknowledging the organisation's origins to Ōmanawa, where its story began.While the name is changing, Manawa Trust’s commitment to the Western Bay of Ple...

A place where everyone can sing, dance, act and create

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective is creating a place where young people with and without disabilities can come together, be themselves, and enjoy the performing arts in an equitable and supportive environment.Through weekly classes in Tauranga, the organisation gives young people the chance to sing, dance, act, create, build friendships and grow in confidence alongside others from their community.Glass Ceiling Arts Collective was founded on a simple idea that children and young people, with and wit...

Confirmed Candidates for 2026 Trustee Election

Nominations for the 2026 trustee election for the TECT Community Trust, now Manawa Trust closed at 12 noon, Friday 28 August.  The following ten nominations were received for the three vacancies on the Trust:Independent Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp, says that this year there has again been strong interest in the election with ten candidates nominated for the three positions available on the Trust.  This compares to nine in 2024 and 12 in 2022. The confirmed candidates for the 2026 ...

Nominations now open for 2026 Trustee Election

It’s election time again for Manawa Trust, previously TECT, with three of the Trust’s six trustees required to retire by rotation this year.Manawa Trust is a community funder which provides support for local initiatives, facilities and events that bring vibrancy, connectedness, growth and economic benefits to the region.At over $1 billion, the funder’s asset base is among the largest held by any community trust in New Zealand. Approximately 80% of Manawa Trust’s assets are held in a dive...

Restoring people and place through Outflow Trust

For most people, a beach or coastline clean-up is about removing rubbish. For Outflow Trust Founder Ash Morgan, it is about restoring the Western Bay of Plenty through people and place, helping local whenua, awa and moana heal while now also creating opportunities for people to build confidence and take their next step towards employment.Based in Tauranga, Outflow Trust was founded after Ash saw the growing impact pollution, erosion and environmental degradation were having on local ecosystems, ...

Local rangatahi building confidence and direction

Every young person carries something special within them. Whether it is confidence or leadership waiting to be noticed, it often just needs the right space to flourish. That is the simple but powerful belief at the heart of local organisation Kia Mau Talent. That all rangatahi throughout the Western Bay of Plenty already hold potential, and some need help to take their next steps.Kia Mau works with rangatahi aged 13-24 through Kaupapa māori workshops, summits, events and tailored multi-session ...

A local lifeline for people living with chronic illness

For many people living with complex chronic illness, life can shrink in ways others do not see. Work can fall away, study can stop, friendships and relationships can become harder to maintain, and even the most basic parts of daily life can begin to feel out of reach.Based in Tauranga but supporting people right across New Zealand, Complex Chronic Illness Support (CCI Support) helps people hold on to hope when illness has turned everyday life upside down. For many members, that support becomes a...

Casita seeks new home to keep supporting young people

For the past decade, Casita Community Charitable Trust has been creating opportunities, connection and a sense of belonging for young people with disabilities in Tauranga and the Western Bay. Now, as the trust works urgently to secure a new shop space, the need is not just for premises, but for a place where young people can keep building confidence, independence and community connection.Founded by special education teacher Charrissa Taylor, Casita began after she saw too many young people leavi...

Delivering uninterrupted hockey in the Bay

Developing a first-class facility and home for hockey in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga Hockey Association’s recent turf upgrade ensures the sport in our region can continue to grow. The Whanga Turf renewal and lighting project was a partnership between Tauranga Hockey (THA), Manawa Trust, previously TECT Community Trust and Tauranga City Council and was completed in April this year.The turf upgrade included new inline channels, a thicker shock pad and new surface and installation was led by the ...

Building a more inclusive, connected Western Bay

Manawa Trust, previously TECT Community Trust is proud to support Parafed Bay of Plenty through a three‑year funding agreement, backing inclusive sport, recreation and play that strengthens wellbeing, connection and community vibrancy across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.This funding provides Parafed Bay of Plenty with long‑term certainty to grow inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities, while also supporting broader change across the region. By challenging perceptions,...

Manawa Trust’s long-term support strengthens conservation across the Western Bay

Manawa Trust, previously TECT Community Trust is highlighting the impact of its ongoing support for conservation across the Western Bay of Plenty this Conservation Week, recognising the people and organisations working to protect our natural environment and taonga species.Manawa Trust has supported Bay Conservation Alliance (BCA) since 2018, recognising early on that protecting the Western Bay of Plenty’s natural environment takes more than passionate volunteers. It also takes strong coordina...

Funding helps youth in sport

From hockey turfs and swimming pools to open‑water training and bike paths, youth sport helps young people across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty stay active, make friends and grow in confidence.Through recent funding, Manawa Trust, previously TECT Community Trust is backing youth programmes run by Tauranga Hockey, Tauranga Water Polo and Triathlon Tauranga. Three local sporting organisations that are working hard to make sport welcoming, affordable and accessible fo...

Manawa Trust commits $10m to new facilities after positive community feedback

Manawa Trust, previously TECT Community Trust has confirmed $5 million in funding toward a new Badminton and Multisport Community Centre in Mount Maunganui, and a further $5 million toward a Cancer Lodge to be built in central Tauranga. The backing of these two new facilities was confirmed following strong community feedback during Manawa Trust’s recent community consultation on its 2026/2027 funding plans.Community feedback received consistently highlighted a significant shortage of indoor co...

Shared Investment Manager role strengthens collaboration between local funders

Manawa Trust and BayTrust have appointed a shared Investment Manager, formalising a new level of collaboration to strengthen long‑term funding for Bay of Plenty communities.The newly established role brings further investment oversight across both Trusts, helping ensure community funds are managed carefully, perform steadily over time, and continue generating funding for local organisations and initiatives.Dougal Crisp started in the role in early February. He supports both Trusts by overseein...

Historic cottage renewed for kaumātua

An 80-year-old cottage with deep local roots has been carefully restored and given new purpose in Bethlehem. Once a principal’s cottage at Bethlehem Native School, the building is now operating as a welcoming day respite space for kaumātua, thanks to the vision of Ngāti Kahu Hauora ki Tauranga Trust.The building has carried stories and memories across generations. Today it is continuing that legacy as a place where kaumātua can spend the day in comfort, with support close at hand. With near...

Nine community champions celebrated

The Western Bay of Plenty’s community spirit was proudly celebrated on Thursday 19 March, with nine outstanding individuals, groups and organisations recognised at the 2026 Western Bay Community Awards, held at Holy Trinity Tauranga.Delivered in partnership by Manawa Trust, previously TECT, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the awards celebrate those who dedicate their time, energy and passion to strengthening communities across the W...

Manawa Trust signs off record $42 million distribution

Manawa Trust Trustees have signed off their largest ever Annual Distribution, approving a total distribution of $42 million planned for the 2026/2027 year – the biggest in Manawa Trust’s history.Of the total distribution, approximately $3 million is allocated to operating expenditure, with the remaining $39 million available for community grants. This represents the largest pool of grant funding ever made available by Manawa Trust for Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty.Manawa Trust Chief Exe...

Western Bay of Plenty Response Fund opens following devastating weather event

Severe weather has caused serious damage across Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty, prompting the activation of the Western Bay Emergency Response Fund to support affected communities.A State of Emergency was declared on January 21, 2026, as the region prepared to experience record-breaking rainfall — the most ever recorded within 24 hours. The extreme weather triggered a major landslide at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, leaving a number of people missing. Another slip i...

Empowering the community through financial support

Bay Financial Mentors – Tau Awhi Noa has been a trusted source of financial guidance and education in Tauranga for over 52 years. Initiated to support families experiencing financial hardship in their community, Bay Financial Mentors provide financial mentoring, advocacy, and education so everyone has sustainable financial well-being for themselves and future generations.Each year, the organisation delivers more than 5,000 mentoring sessions, providing critical support to individuals and famil...

Crafting friendship and community at Te Puke Menz Shed

Improving mental and physical health and creating a sense of belonging, Te Puke Menz Shed is more than just workshop. It’s the life skills, opportunities and meaningful connection that brings the men back to the shed week after week.Te Puke Menz Shed is a fully equipped wood working workshop for men over 60 to participate in projects repairing and making goods for themselves and the wider community. The shed offers men a welcoming space to share their skills, have a laugh, and work on practica...

Celebrating the Western Bay Community Awards 2025 winners

On Thursday 20 March, our dedicated community groups and volunteers were recognised at the 2025 Western Bay Community Awards.Hosted at Holy Trinity Tauranga, the annual awards offer an opportunity to honour our unsung heroes and their inspiring work.Showcasing the 34 finalists and the nine award category winners, the awards recognise significant impact they make across all areas of the not-for-profit sector. This includes events, environmental projects, collaborative initiatives and individual s...

Badminton is booming in the Bay

The Bay of Plenty Badminton Association (BOP Badminton) is celebrating unprecedented growth and community engagement, cementing its place as one of the region’s most inclusive and vibrant sport organisations. With a focus on fostering participation at all levels, BOP Badminton continues to thrive, thanks to its strong culture and the dedicated efforts of its players, coaches, supporters and staff.BOP Badminton’s Community Development Manager, Delwyn Cooper, says the organisation is incredibl...

New Western Bay of Plenty heritage navigation tool in development

A new resource to be released during the first half of 2025 is currently in development towards discovering the many historical heritage sites across the Western Bay of Plenty which connect them to their communities.Taonga Tū Heritage Bay of Plenty, working with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT), local hapū and iwi, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Archives and history groups across the rohe, are developing a second Footprints Series to cover the Western Bay of Pl...

SeniorNet bridging the digital divide

Tauranga SeniorNet Club is a dedicated community organisation that was launched in 1996. The club was created to bridge the digital divide for seniors through a team of passionate volunteers who provide a learning space and personalised coaching to help seniors master technology in their everyday lives.SeniorNet recognises the increasing importance of digital literacy in today’s world and has developed programmes to empower seniors with the skills needed to stay connected with family, friends,...

Stand Tall unlocks young entrepreneur’s potential

Stand Tall is a registered charity based in Tauranga, dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial and digital capabilities among young people aged 15-24. Now in its third year, Stand Tall delivers an integrated programme of work that equips young people with the skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving economy.Stand Tall initiatives are designed to address the unique challenges young people face in the Bay of Plenty, focusing on creativity, self-discovery, and innovation. They provide acces...