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Tō Mātou Ara

Our Approach

E pātuki te manawa o te rātā, he oranga mō te iwi

The heartbeat of the rātā sustains the people

This whakataukī (proverb), gifted by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to the Rātā Foundation, links our purpose and our investment goals to people. Rātā invests in a way that is consistent with this whakataukī.

Empowered To Thrive

At Rātā Foundation, we aim to empower people and communities to thrive. 

How we work

Our long-term strategic objective is to invest in communities to enable a higher standard on community wellbeing. We intend to grow our investment portfolio so that we can increase our distribution of funding over the long-term. We will continue to build strong, authentic strategic partnerships that strengthen our pou – Housing, Health, Education and the Environment.

Community Wellbeing
We want people to get support when they need it, realise their potential through learning and cultural connection, and have opportunities to participate in sports and creative activities. We want to see a world where we care for the environment and climate so future generations can thrive.
Community Investment
We fund organisations across our takiwā to create an equitable and sustainable society. Our community investment programme wraps around the organisations and communities we walk alongside to enable and support equitable and sustainable social change
Financial Investment
We are an active asset owner with investment strategies to preserve and grow our pūtea. We do this through ethical, responsible, and sustainable management of our assets. The principle of tiakitanga underpins all our investment objectives and policies.
Strategic Pou
We enter strategic partnerships across our takiwā to create a more equitable and sustainable society. We have four Strategic Pou aimed at making a difference in Health, Housing, Education, and the Environment.
Our Rātā Way

We aim to support those who need help now while at the same time helping to build a better future where communities are empowered to thrive. With a solid investment portfolio, strategic and proactive community investment activity, and strong, authentic partnerships and relationships, Rātā thinks and acts with an intergenerational mind-set. It is our beliefs that guide and support both our community investment and our investment activity.

Our Grant Making Philosophy
Our grant-making philosophy informs how we will act and work as we strive to create an equitable and sustainable society under the korowai of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We believe in the rōpu/organisations we support and operate in a pono/high-trust model.
Whānaungatanga/relationships are key, and we are present in hapori/communities - kanohi ki te kanohi.
We are respectful, clear, and whakamana/empower organisations.
We strive to use an evidence base and be a learning organisation – Me ako tonu.
We take a lead from the rōpu/organisations we serve about their knowledge of their hapori/community.
We whakanui/elevate and tell the stories of the rōpu/organisations we support.
We strengthen and manaaki/support rōpu/organisations to deliver better outcomes for the hapori/community.
We don't achieve outcomes on our own – we enable and work in partnership - kotahitanga.
Our Investment Beliefs
Our history, purpose, and commitments as investors shape our values and beliefs. We focus on investing to preserve our resources and create a legacy for future generations. We have been influenced in our beliefs as responsible and good ethical investors by our community and our Māori partners and their generosity in growing our māramatanga (understanding) of Te Ao Māori.
Tiakitanga
Invest with an intergenerational mindset.
Whanaungatanga
Place relationships at the centre of our mahi.
Manaakitanga
Seek opportunities that create positive social impact and contribute to the well-being of communities.
Tikanga
Align investment decisions with the ethical and sustainable practices that respect our community and Māori values and customs.
Kotahitanga
Be open to partnering to support our partner’s financial investment strategies and find joint investment opportunities that fit our collective investment needs.
Related Content
Funding
Investments
Strategic Partnerships
Our Impact