http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz en-us Sun, 17 May 2026 22:14:28 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/161813/a-different-way-of-funding-a-partners-experience/ At the Len Reynolds Trust, we believe funding should be relational, not transactional. As part of our strategy, we are committed to challenging and transforming power dynamics in philanthropy, practising empathy in partnerships, and daring to be different in how we work.Recently, one of the organisations we support shared their experience of working with us. With their permission, we’re sharing their reflections below.“The experience was seamless.”“Right from the beginning, the Trust has... Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:32:15 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post161813 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/160789/move-along-laws-what-kind-of-communities-are-we-building/ The Government has announced new “move along” powers, allowing Police to direct people to leave public spaces in certain circumstances.At first glance, this may appear to be a practical response to visible poverty, rough sleeping, or public complaints. But when we look more closely, we must ask a deeper question:Are we addressing harm - or simply moving it out of sight?At the Len Reynolds Trust, our vision is a Waikato where all children and young people are secure, resilient and thriving. W... Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:14:01 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post160789 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/160594/lots-of-little-fires-a-funders-view-from-len-reynolds-trust/ Lots of Little Fires (LOLF) sits at the intersection of storytelling, systems change, and community leadership. From a funder’s vantage point, it is both a practical tool and a living example of the kind of kaupapa we choose to stand behind: locally grounded, led by people with lived experience, and quietly, but decisively, reshaping how decisions get made in our region.As Len Reynolds Trust (LRT), our relationship with LOLF has moved well beyond a traditional grant. When organisational change... Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:35:30 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post160594 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/158220/weaving-and-unweaving--reflections-from-15-years-of-weave/ A legacy report from a philanthropic collaboration in Aotearoa New Zealand1. IntroductionAfter more than 15 years of working together as a collective of family foundations, the Weave funders have agreed to bring this initiative to a close.We began (as the Working Together More Fund, later Weave) with a simple but ambitious idea: that by combining pūtea, relationships, and learning, we could back courageous community collaborations across Aotearoa and achieve more together than we could alone. O... Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:13:15 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post158220 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/158149/whiria-te-tangata-weaving-creativity-into-the-social-fabric-of-aotearoa/ In the ever-evolving work of social equity and environmental stewardship, it's easy to overlook the quiet power of creativity and those who carry it. But every once in a while, a movement emerges that challenges the status quo and invites us to think differently about whose labour we value, and how.... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:22:38 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post158149 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/157314/a-step-backwards-why-the-len-reynolds-trust-opposes-the-removal-of-te-tiriti-from-school-governance/ In recent weeks the New Zealand Government announced that it will remove the legal requirement for school boards to “give effect to” the Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the schooling system. This change merits serious reflection. As a philanthropic funder serving children, young people and the environment in the wider Waikato region, the Len Reynolds Trust is deeply concerned about what this alteration signifies and its potential consequences for equity, ngā tikanga Māori and our shared futu... Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:45:26 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post157314 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/156240/supporting-youth-disrupting-norms-a-brave-approach-to-philanthropy/ At the Len Reynolds Trust, our work is rooted in the belief that doing good requires courage - the courage to question, to listen deeply, and to do things differently. That belief was at the heart of a recent kōrero I was privileged to be part of: a webinar hosted by Philanthropy New Zealand, focused on funding rangatahi.The conversation brought together passionate funders and advocates for young people, including Dame Sue Bagshaw. It was a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we ... Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:38:27 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post156240 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/156238/learning-to-see-differently/ This kōrero was delivered as part of a panel session at the 2025 Community Waikato Conference, themed Navigating the Tough Times: Connecting for a Sustainable Future. The panel brought together leaders from across the sector who are doing things differently – challenging norms, embracing creativity, and leading with care and courage in complex times.I was invited to reflect on my own approach to leadership and share insights from my mahi that sits a little outside the ordinary. The session ai... Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:20:29 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post156238 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/155594/holding-the-line-philanthropys-role-in-strengthening-community/ The Social Cohesion Fund – Why We’re All InHere at the Len Reynolds Trust, we might be a small trust from “little old Kirikiriroa,” but we’re proud to be playing a big role in a kaupapa that matters now more than ever - strengthening social cohesion across Aotearoa. In fact, we’re currently the largest contributor to the Social Cohesion Fund, a national philanthropic collaboration hosted by The Gift Trust, designed to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time: increasing so... Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:15:03 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post155594 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/post/153752/when-a-lifeline-gets-tangled-in-red-tape/ On 5 October 2025 the government confirmed a new rule: if your parents earn more than about $65k, they’re expected to support you at 18–19 instead of you qualifying for Jobseeker, unless you can show they can’t reasonably help or you’re caring for a pēpi or estranged (from your parents). It’s due to kick in from November 2026, brought forward from the original July 2027 start date. The current cut-out is listed as $65,529 and will be adjusted each year. About 4300 rangatahi are expect... Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:53:56 +1300 http://www.lenreynoldstrust.co.nz/blog/#post153752