Rotorua Trust elections start at the end of this month. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua Trust will welcome three new trustees following the not-for-profit’s elections at the weekend.
Raj Kumar, Ngahi Bidois and Tamati Coffey will join the re-elected Fisher Wang, Mike Keefe and Catherine Cooney.
Previous chairman Stewart Edward and Gregg Brown stepped down ahead of these elections, with Merepeka Raukawa-Tait missing out.
Preliminary voting return figures suggested 11,436 votes were cast, which was about 22.7% of the 50,428 voting documents issued, although that figure would change once detailed final results emerged.
Wang topped the poll, just as he did for the recent Rotorua Lakes Council general ward election. Kumar was second, with Keefe third, Cooney fourth and Bidois fifth.
Coffey took the final spot, marking a return to Rotorua Trust, having served as deputy chairman for two terms from 2016 to 2022.
“I’m very humbled to be back around the table,” Coffey said.
“There’s some good experience and heads around that table and I look forward to working with them all.”
A total of 22 candidates stood for election with voting open from October 21.
A new chairman would be chosen in due course, after previous incumbent Edward reached the mandatory maximum three-term period.
Wang said on Facebook he was “honoured” to be re-elected, saying it was a privilege to “carry the baton” from the departing trustees.
“I can’t wait to continue the work and ensure investments in perpetuity continue to benefit our community for generations to come,” he said.
“I very much appreciate those who placed a tick beside my name,” he said.
Kumar learned of his latest election victory, having been elected to Bay of Plenty Regional Council last month, shortly after clearing customs following a recent trip to Japan.
He hoped to ensure Rotorua Trust did not overly focus on bigger, established entities.
“I want us to look after the community, especially the ones who’ve always had setbacks,” he said.
“We should focus on smaller organisations that struggle and lack structure or support.”
Bidois said he was “honoured” by the opportunity.
“The work Rotorua Trust does cannot be measured just in dollars,” Bidois said.
“The real value is in the difference it’s made to our community and to our place and our people.”
Keefe said it was a “real privilege” to be re-elected.
“We are trying to increase the health and wellbeing of our community, which can be done in many ways and is all inclusive - that is where our true focus really is.”
Cooney said she was “absolutely delighted” to be awarded another term.
“The work we do with all the wide variety of community organisations and each of those entities is having a really positive impact on our city.”
Rotorua Trust chief executive Blair Gilbert said it was “fantastic” to see so many nominations this year and congratulated the winners.
“We are excited for the future and the opportunities ahead for Rotorua,” Blair said.
Established in 1994 from the sale of Rotorua Electricity Ltd, the Rotorua Trust invests its capital to generate income, which is then distributed to support projects and organisations within the region.
Its investment assets were valued at $171.2m as of March 31, with a return of 5.4% over the previous 12 months.
The trust handed out 245 grants in the 2024-25 financial year, totalling $4.53m, to projects and organisations promoting arts, culture, sport, health, environmental issues, education and community strength.
The trust has also supported major projects such as the Energy Events Centre, Sir Howard Morrison Centre and the restoration of Rotorua Museum.
The trust employs a small management team of four, including a chief executive.
Annual remuneration is set between about $23,000 for a trustee to about $38,000 for the chairperson.
Rotorua Trust – 2025 final election results
Above elected to Rotorua Trust
Mathew Nash is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. He has previously written for SunLive, been a regular contributor to RNZ and was a football reporter in the UK for eight years.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.