Featured Stories

Auahatanga ki te Kāinga: Community Connectivity through Creativity

Many whānau living in social housing experience isolation and disconnection. Auahatanga ki te Kāinga was born to change that, an initiative that placed creativity at the heart of community connection and wellbeing.

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Te Hikoitanga Reintegration Programme: Ōrongomai Marae 

Based at Ōrongomai Marae, Te Hikoitanga is a reintegration programme that provides holistic, long-term support to reduce re-offending and build pathways to independence. Over the reintegration journey, the team works alongside these individuals and whānau to identify risk.

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Safe Man Safe Family: Breaking the Cycle of Violence 

Safe Man Safe Family works to break intergenerational cycles of domestic and whānau violence by engaging directly with perpetrators and their whānau. Using a holistic, peer-led and professionally supported approach, the programme focuses on...

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RainbowYOUTH Northland: Creating Safe Spaces for Rangatahi

RainbowYOUTH's Northland services are providing vital support for queer, gender diverse, takatāpui and intersex young people across Te Tai Tokerau.

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Little Things creating big impact

Little Things is built on a simple idea: small, practical supports can make a big difference for families under stress. First piloted locally in 2023 through our LDM partnership, the success of Little Things...

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25 Years of Partnership: Protecting Nature Together 

For more than 25 years, The Tindall Foundation has partnered with WWF-New Zealand to deliver community-led conservation and education initiatives across Aotearoa.

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The why in what we do

More about the foundation

$500

Organisations supported annually across New Zealand

23

Local Donation Managers spanning national coverage

14,000+

Young Aucklanders have gained job-readiness skills through the Youth Connections programme

Donations Glossary

2024 Donations Highlights

A
1point5 Project
$120,000

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ĀKAU
$60,000

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Ara Taiohi
$100,000

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1point5 Project
$60,000

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2023 Donations Highlights

Nature-Based Credit Development with Trees That Count

Supporting Trees That Count to develop a nature-based credit

In partnership with the Simplicity Foundation and BNZ Foundation, TTF is supporting Trees That Count to develop a nature-based credit for Aotearoa New Zealand. This innovative credit will combine carbon offsetting with an additional biodiversity benefit, creating a unique offering for the Voluntary Carbon Market. That positions this work at the forefront of climate and biodiversity solutions. Interest from both local and international companies signals strong demand for this type of credit, which until now has not been available in New Zealand. The initiative also contributes to Pure Advantage’s Recloaking Papatūānuku project and is one of six projects being monitored by the Ministry for the Environment as part of policy development on the government's role in supporting nature-based markets. Government policy recommendations on that are expected by March 2026.

Building a Community-Led Collective for Maternal Mental Wellbeing

Committed to help strengthen mental wellbeing

We have committed to help strengthen mental wellbeing during the critical early years - pregnancy through the first two years of life - by creating Te Hokinga Mai: a community-led, equity-driven collective of community organisations, people, and professionals that support māmā, birthing parents and whānau during pregnancy and the early years. The approach will amplify lived experience, prioritise Māori and Pacific worldviews, influence system change, and reduce fragmentation in the sector through shared data, coordinated advocacy, and practical solutions that support the organisations that walk alongside whānau. TTF appointed Paulien Fa'atafa to lead this work, drawing on her extensive expertise in health promotion and early years support.

TTF is actively contributing to national conversations on maternal mental wellbeing. We are working alongside community leaders to ensure community and lived experience perspectives inform future strategies and policy. Our goal is to strengthen early years support and advocate for systemic investment in community-led solutions that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation to improve outcomes for māmā, pēpi, and whānau.

Lake Ōmāpere's restoration 

Contributing to a major iwi-led initiative to restore Lake Ōmāpere

TTF is contributing to a major iwi-led initiative to restore Lake Ōmāpere, a significant taonga and critical water source in Te Tai Tokerau. The project - led by the Lake Ōmāpere Trust and also supported by the government - aims to clean up the lake, improve water quality and strengthen water supply infrastructure resilience. The work includes exploring opportunities for fertiliser production from dredged sediment alongside water off-take to support horticulture development in the Kaikohe region. The project will deliver nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration, riparian planting, and sediment remediation, unlocking employment opportunities for Māori-led social and economic development and revitalising cultural identity. This is a long-term kaupapa that represents a unique opportunity for mātauranga Māori, science, and commerce to work together for ecological and community wellbeing.

2022 Donations Highlights

Nature-Based Credit Development with Trees That Count

Supporting Trees That Count to develop a nature-based credit

In partnership with the Simplicity Foundation and BNZ Foundation, TTF is supporting Trees That Count to develop a nature-based credit for Aotearoa New Zealand. This innovative credit will combine carbon offsetting with an additional biodiversity benefit, creating a unique offering for the Voluntary Carbon Market. That positions this work at the forefront of climate and biodiversity solutions. Interest from both local and international companies signals strong demand for this type of credit, which until now has not been available in New Zealand. The initiative also contributes to Pure Advantage’s Recloaking Papatūānuku project and is one of six projects being monitored by the Ministry for the Environment as part of policy development on the government's role in supporting nature-based markets. Government policy recommendations on that are expected by March 2026.

Building a Community-Led Collective for Maternal Mental Wellbeing

Committed to help strengthen mental wellbeing

We have committed to help strengthen mental wellbeing during the critical early years - pregnancy through the first two years of life - by creating Te Hokinga Mai: a community-led, equity-driven collective of community organisations, people, and professionals that support māmā, birthing parents and whānau during pregnancy and the early years. The approach will amplify lived experience, prioritise Māori and Pacific worldviews, influence system change, and reduce fragmentation in the sector through shared data, coordinated advocacy, and practical solutions that support the organisations that walk alongside whānau. TTF appointed Paulien Fa'atafa to lead this work, drawing on her extensive expertise in health promotion and early years support.

TTF is actively contributing to national conversations on maternal mental wellbeing. We are working alongside community leaders to ensure community and lived experience perspectives inform future strategies and policy. Our goal is to strengthen early years support and advocate for systemic investment in community-led solutions that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation to improve outcomes for māmā, pēpi, and whānau.

Lake Ōmāpere's restoration 

Contributing to a major iwi-led initiative to restore Lake Ōmāpere

TTF is contributing to a major iwi-led initiative to restore Lake Ōmāpere, a significant taonga and critical water source in Te Tai Tokerau. The project - led by the Lake Ōmāpere Trust and also supported by the government - aims to clean up the lake, improve water quality and strengthen water supply infrastructure resilience. The work includes exploring opportunities for fertiliser production from dredged sediment alongside water off-take to support horticulture development in the Kaikohe region. The project will deliver nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration, riparian planting, and sediment remediation, unlocking employment opportunities for Māori-led social and economic development and revitalising cultural identity. This is a long-term kaupapa that represents a unique opportunity for mātauranga Māori, science, and commerce to work together for ecological and community wellbeing.

Refreshing & Upgrading

New in 2026

Launching a New Website

In the new financial year, we’ll launch our redesigned website – created to make finding information easier and faster for our communities. The new site will offer clear guidance on donation and application steps, showcase the impact of funded mahi, and share stories that reflect our values and founding vision. In celebration of 30 years, the site will feature an interactive timeline to help tell the story of The Tindall Foundation so far.

New in 2026

Launching a New System

We will also introduce Fluxx, our new donations management system. Fluxx will make the application process smoother and more efficient for applicants, enhance our internal workflows, and help us use data in meaningful ways to share impact and improve storytelling.

Tindall Whānau

The Next Generation

Three generations of the Tindall whānau are now involved in the Foundation, each contributing in ways that reflect their own perspectives and experiences, while continuing the legacy and values embedded when Stephen and Margaret began this journey.

In 2016, Stephen and Margaret’s five children – Liz, Rob, Ben, Jem, and Kate – established the Next Gen Fund to support rangatahi through the arts and creativity. They manage the fund independently, making their own decisions while carrying forward the generosity of their parents. Liz, Kate, and Rob also hold governance and management roles within the Foundation.

The third generation whānau are also invited to engage with the foundation, if they choose to, in ways that feel meaningful to them. The 2025 appointment of Amelia, Liz’s daughter and the first Gen 3 staff member marks a new chapter in this evolving journey.

“Te Matakupenga is by Māori, for Māori, for all. It’s about weaving together the strength of our communities to create collective impact. We are proud to walk alongside this kaupapa as it grows.”

– Kate Tindall Lum

Te Matakupenga

This year, our kaimahi and Next Gen Tindall whānau member Kate brought forward an opportunity for the Foundation to champion a nation-building kaupapa – Te Matakupenga – reflecting our intergenerational commitment to a more connected and cohesive Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Matakupenga is a movement designed to strengthen Māori leadership and capacity for the benefit of all in Aotearoa. It connects kaupapa Māori groups like mycelium does in a forest ecosystem “Mycelium is an underground network of fine, thread-like structures that connects ecosystems” creating a network of shared learning, collaboration, and collective impact.

At its heart, Te Matakupenga nurtures the people, relationships, and conditions that allow kaupapa Māori to endure – strengthening leadership across generations, deepening collective capability, and embedding Te Ao Māori ways of knowing and being into shared practice. This initiative addresses sector-wide challenges such as siloed efforts, resource limitations, and the need for cohesive planning.

The Tindall Foundation is supporting Te Matakupenga’s small but growing team of full-time, and part time kaimahi, supported by a wider network of volunteers who contribute to different workstreams in this start-up phase.

“Te Matakupenga is by Māori, for Māori, for all. It’s about weaving together the strength of our communities to create collective impact. We are proud to walk alongside this kaupapa as it grows.”

– Kate Tindall Lum

Introducing Kaimahi Kōrero

We’re excited to launch Kaimahi Kōrero – a new storytelling series that creates space for our people to share stories, in their own words and from their lived experiences. Whether it’s a moment of pride, a challenge, a reflection, or a kaupapa close to the heart, Kaimahi Kōrero will be the voices of those who help shape The Tindall Foundation – our staff, trustees, partners and friends.

Kicking off this series, Liz reflects on connecting with other family foundations and new relationships within philanthropy in Australia, while John shares his experience participating in this year’s Big Sleep Out with Lifewise NZ.

Kaimahi Kōrero - Liz Tindall Tetro 

Connecting With Other Family Foundations

Read about Liz's experience at the Philanthropy Australia Summit 2025 and creating new connections with family foundations.

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Kaimahi Kōrero - John McCarthy

Reflections from the Big Sleep Out

Read about John’s experience at this year’s Big Sleep Out, the Lifewise event raising awareness and funds to tackle homelessness in NZ.

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As we wrap up our 2025 Year in Review, we would like to acknowledge our incredible trustees and staff team whose dedication, passion, creativity, and commitment to serving communities in Aotearoa make all of this possible. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

A huge thank you to:

Our Trustees

Jennifer Casey, Margaret Tindall, Robbie Tindall, Rukumoana Schaafhausen, Stephen Tindall

Our Management Staff

Amelia Taite, Ashlee McCormick, Cyril Howard, Jennifer Reid, John McCarthy, Kate Tindall Lum, Libby Wichman, Liz Tindall Tetro, Martina O’Driscoll, Sharlene Atai

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