Momentum Waikato Update - February 2025
Published on 27 February, 2025
Nau Mai, Haere Mai!
Welcome to the first Momentum Waikato Update newsletter for 2025, we hope you're enjoying the summer.
It really is time we all had a chat
David Christiansen, Executive Officer, Momentum Waikato.
Facts and figures abound these days. Here’s a few more:
$1.6 Trillion is the estimated total value of inheritances to be transferred via Wills in New Zealand as its population ages over the next 25 years;
only 55% of New Zealanders have a Will;
and only 6% of those have any component of charitable giving, well below rates found in similarly wealthy countries globally.
These are just some of the findings contained in the newly launched Bequest Report covering New Zealand by investment managers JBWere, which we cover below.
If the rate of charitable giving in Wills was to grow, even marginally, it would be transformational for the entire not-for-profit sector and the communities and causes they support.
New Zealanders are a generous people, we all know that because so many of us give during our lives. This is not about a lack of generosity, it is about us, as a country, needing to normalise the act of charitable giving when it comes time to consider our Wills.
So, it is time we all had a chat – with our partners, families and friends, and our professional advisors such as our lawyer or accountant.
There are so many ways to give, and a small proportion of a Will, in the form of a charitable bequest, will still leave most of an estate to the remaining family members, while also creating an enduring legacy.
Charitable bequests clearly need to be a routine part of the Will-making process. Which is exactly why we here at Momentum Waikato recently welcomed a new member, Debbie Stevens our Relationship Manager, who is focussing on the promotion of charitable bequests, particularly to professional advisors.
Gifts in our Wills can be transformational. Let’s do it!
What you need to know from JBWere’s ‘The Bequest Report’
The ‘western world’ is on the cusp of what will be the largest inter-generational transfer of wealth in history, as the ‘baby boomer’ generation reach the end of their lifetimes.
In recent years there has been growing awareness of this looming challenge and opportunity across investment, charity and philanthropy circles in New Zealand, but little local data and analysis to really inform planning and consciousness raising here.
Now the Philanthropic Services division of JBWere, one of Momentum Waikato’s investment partners, have launched ‘The Bequest Report – Reshaping Aotearoa New Zealand by creating a legacy that goes beyond asset wealth’ to collate and present the relevant facts and insights.
Supercharging your giving
Don’t let your generosity go unclaimed!
Let’s make your dollars work twice as hard. When you give through your local community foundation your donation becomes a double win – a powerful gesture of community support and a smart financial decision.
Momentum Waikato ensures that your donation goes directly to where its needed most and your can receive 33% of your donation back through a tax credit. Join us in building
a stronger, more vibrant community and make your giving go further.
Learn more at the Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand site.
Legacy in action: a dual perspective on community foundation impact
By Mark Ingle, Trustee, Momentum Waikato
Being both a Trustee and future bequestor to Momentum Waikato Community Foundation has given me a unique vantage point on the transformative power of community philanthropy. This dual role has deepened my understanding of how strategic giving can shape our community, not just for tomorrow, but for generations to come.
As a Trustee, I've witnessed firsthand how Momentum acts as a bridge between generous individuals and community support.
We're not just collecting and distributing funds, we're carefully orchestrating lasting positive change. Whether it's supporting regional development projects, backing initiatives with national significance, or supporting donor-selected organisations, each move we make ripples through time, touching countless lives.
My decision to include a bequest to Momentum Waikato in my Will stemmed from this intimate understanding of the organisation’s intended impact into the future. In time I will ideally be able to make this a ‘give while you live’ commitment.
Lyceum legacy to the women of Cambridge
With the best will in the world, there can come a time when a good thing must come to an end, but even when the people who originally set out are long gone, ways can be found to continue their mission.
So it has been with the closing of the doors at the Lyceum House in Cambridge – a venerable social institution has reached the end of its life, but has left a legacy that will keep on giving to its community forever.
The first Lyceum Club opened in London in 1903, as a place for professional women to gather, develop and support one another. It was named after the place where Aristotle held court in ancient Athens.
Cambridge’s own example was founded by country women in 1940, with their Lyceum House clubrooms then opening in 1953 as a popular centre for locals to socialise and network, while fundraising for their wider community.
Realising the ultimate vision for Hamilton Gardens
We recently check out progress on the new Medieval Garden at Hamilton Gardens, accompanied by a few of the folks who helped make it happen by donating to our fundraising campaign. We're looking forward to seeing how things develop and hosting more such tours before it opens later this year.
Now the Medieval Garden is on its way, we have re-purposed our Hamilton Gardens webpage to highlight the plans for the further thirteen theme gardens that would fulfill founding director Peter Sergel's vision to tell the full story of civilisation through garden designs.
See this map in more detail and find out more.
Getting up to speed with Momentum
Debbie Stevens, Relationship Manager, Momentum Waikato
In the two full working weeks since I arrived at Momentum Waikato, I've experienced the power of a movement. This is more than an organisation, it is a community driven by a shared vision for a better Waikato for everyone, forever.
The team's dedication is inspiring, with strong leadership and a shared commitment to making a real difference. People aren't simply giving; they're investing in a brighter future, believing wholeheartedly in our region's potential.
This generosity extends beyond financial contributions; individuals like Kevin Burgess and David Cooney, champions for the new Cambridge place-based fund, exemplify the tireless energy and commitment that fuels Momentum. Their passion is truly inspiring.
I've already witnessed Momentum’s remarkable achievements and ambitious vision firsthand - from touring the nearly completed Waikato Regional Theatre, - a stunning architectural achievement, to visiting Hamilton Gardens to see the meticulously crafted soon-to-open Medieval Garden.
My focus now is building a strong Professional Advisor's Network for Momentum to empower donors in creating lasting legacies.
It's a privilege to be part of this remarkable movement, and I'm looking forward to contributing to Momentum Waikato's continued success.
