What do we mean by need when it comes to our funding?

Nau mai, haere mai.

Welcome to our last edition of Rātā Connect for 2023. As we begin the countdown to Christmas at Rātā, we are also looking ahead to 2024 and how we will continue our mahi to help empower people to thrive.

We continue to see higher community needs due to economic, social, and environmental pressures. But what do we mean by need when it comes to our funding?

When assessing need, we look at parts of our community that experience disadvantage on an ongoing basis. And people who are experiencing short-term needs that may occur from time to time.

For example, people living with a disability, mental health challenges, people living in isolated rural communities, or facing barriers because of their ethnicity or sexuality.

By striving to remove barriers and support people when and where they need it - we know our funding can make a difference. You will find a more detailed explanation of what we mean by need – on our Funding landing page, and as always, we encourage you to contact one of our Community Investment Team via our Contact Page.

Our Purpose says - we strive for an equitable and sustainable society - it got me thinking what do we mean by ‘strive’ when supporting our community?

For the whānau at Rātā, it means we help those who need it now, and at the same time, we help build a better future where communities can thrive. With a solid investment portfolio, strategic and proactive grant activity, and community partnerships, Rātā can help achieve much more beyond the responsive grants we’re mostly known for. We think and act with an intergenerational mindset. You can count on us to keep striving to help create an equitable and sustainable future for you in 2024.

On behalf of the Board and Staff at Rātā – I wish you all and our communities Meri Kirihimete, kia haumaru te noho, e hoa mā – stay safe my friends.

“Iti noa ana he pito mata” – “A small seed can sustain many.”

Leighton Evans

Chief Executive