Question 1

Why have you changed your name?

Accepted Answer

We are proud to announce our new name:Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation .

We have entered a new phase of maturity, and with that, came the development of our new identity. We are the Community Foundation for the Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts, stretching from the Rakaia River up to the top of Canterbury’s regional boundary. It was important for our name to represent the whole region, and our approach to building an endowment for this community we call home.

This pausing and reassessing who we are and what we stand for reflects the shift in our purpose: to build a long-term funding stream that will support future generations, centred on our three pillars – People, Place and Planet. Our new business model is uncompromisingly focused on sustainable philanthropic growth, to ensure we are here for good, forever.

The rebrand reflects a complete operational overhaul that has seen Kura Tāwhiti reduce costs by over 70%, hold over $2.8 million in managed funds, and distribute over $380,000 to the community in the past year.

Question 2

What does Kura Tāwhiti mean?

Accepted Answer

Kura Tāwhiti is the original name of Castle Hill, a place of great significance for Ngāi Tahu. This is located on the southern boundary of our area, at the western ranges of the Southern Alps. It is a refuge of hidden ecological treasures such as the Castle Hill buttercup (Ranunculus paucifolius), a strong inspiration in our logomark and iconography.

Kura Tāwhiti literally means “the treasure from a distant land” in te reo Māori, referring to the kūmara that was once cultivated in this region. Ngāi Tahu used this area as a mahinga kai and sacred resting place.

“Kura”, often utilised to indicate a school, has other meanings that align with our kaupapa – it describes the colour red, synonymous with Canterbury as a region. The word points to something precious or sacred, to be valued, preserved, and passed on.

That’s exactly what we are here to support in the Canterbury region – generosity that grows. For good, forever. We are proud to recognise the broader geographic catchment beyond Ōtautahi - something our stakeholders have been asking about for a while.

The name honours our cultural heritage and was gifted by Ngāi Tahu leader Te Maire Tau.

Question 3

What is the story behind your new logo?

Accepted Answer

We partnered with Antony & Mates, a local creative agency who has been supporting us with our evolution for more than a year. They intuitively understand the importance of a Community Foundation for Canterbury, and have put an immense amount of thought into the Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation logomark, colour palette, typography and iconography.

Inspiration started with Kura Tāwhiti itself – the limestone tors and the shapes they etch onto the horizon. The geography of the region, called a Karst Landscape (where water erodes soluble bedrock). The colours of this beautiful place. The story of Tane Tiki, claiming one of the mountains for his daughter and naming it Kura Tāwhiti. How his love for her led to his creation of a korowai – a cloak made of kākāpo feathers. The importance of the flora and fauna native to this area, such as the Castle Hill buttercup and Castle hill forget-me-not. The lone tōtara. How revered this area was as a mahinga kai for Ngāi Tahu. The winding paths around the rocks that visitors flock to in their hundreds of thousands, every year.

The logomark has three distinct elements, which align with our three focus pillars – a Kākāpo Feather, central to the Ngāi Tahu Story about Tane Tiki, representing people. A round limestone boulder, grounding us in place – our tūrangawaewae. A petal from the Castle Hill buttercup, linking our purpose with the planet, knowing that we don’t thrive if our environment does not.

The variation of these shapes, all inspired by Kura Tāwhiti’s whakapapa and landscape, come together in unique ways to represent our pillars and our purpose. The colours were chosen with a nod to kura’s alternate meaning – red – a colour seared into the hearts of Cantabrians worldwide. This was balanced with the earthy, natural tones inspired by the landscape of Kura Tāwhiti Castle Hill – green for the feather, beige for the boulder and yellow for the buttercup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Community Foundation?

Why is a Community Foundation important for the wider Christchurch region?

Why would I give my money to a Community Foundation and not directly to a charity?

Why have you changed your name?

What does Kura Tāwhiti mean?

What is the story behind your new logo?

What is the funding model of Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation?

What is the current amount of funds under management, and what is the target amount needed for sustainability?

What is the typical return on investment for bequests and endowments, versus other fundraising methods?

How does Kura Tāwhiti distinguish itself from other philanthropic organisations in Christchurch, such as the Rātā Foundation?

What types of funds can donors establish with Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation?

Why does Kura Tāwhiti need council funding to be effective?

What percentage of current funds come from the Christchurch City Council?

Kura Tāwhiti already received operational funding over the last six years from Christchurch City Council – what was that money spent on?

How has the Foundation reduced its operational budget from $600,000 to $150,000?

What are the Foundation's key focus areas, following the recent restructuring?

How long does the Foundation expect it will take to become self-sustaining?

What is the current governance structure of Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation, including board members and management team?

How is the Foundation measuring and reporting on its impact and effectiveness?

What community projects has the Foundation supported to date?

How is the Foundation ensuring transparency in its financial reporting and governance?

Where can the public access the Foundation's financial reports and performance metrics?

Who can apply for funding from Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation?

What kinds of projects or causes does the Foundation typically support?

How much funding can I apply for?

Can I apply to more than one fund at once?

Is there a deadline for funding applications?

How do I apply for funding from Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation?

I have a great idea, but I’m not sure it fits a current fund. What should I do?

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