Hawke’s Bay Foundation was honoured to celebrate the growth of community philanthropy across Aotearoa NZ, together with Community Foundations of New Zealand Patron, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, at Government House recently.

In attendance representing our region were Hawke’s Bay Foundation supporters: Kim Thorp, Rachael Knight, Jeanette and Peter Kelly, HBF Executive Officer Amy Bowkett and HBF Chair Giles Pearson. Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro opened her address with a special mention.

“I wish to acknowledge Amy Bowkett, Executive Officer of the Hawkes Bay Foundation, and your husband Richard, who I understand to have lost your home in Cyclone Gabrielle. Our thoughts are with you and your community at this extraordinarily difficult time. It is a testament to your own commitment to the work of the Hawkes Bay Foundation that you are with us here this evening.

I’d like to specifically acknowledge the recent work you’ve done in response to the recent weather events through your emergency response fund.

Your core ethos of ‘effective funding’ has meant that those countless New Zealanders – seeing the devastation of the cyclone, and wishing to help – have been able to donate in a way that can be of greatest service, both in the short-term response, and the long-term.