
Creating transformational change for our communities.
Our mission is to build healthy, thriving and resilient communities across Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui the Greater Wellington region. Read about our impact and the wonderful mahi happening in our communities below.
A whānau and women-centred approach to health.
Established in 1991 after the Cartwright Inquiry, Mana Wāhine Incorporated has a kaupapa to empower and support women to make informed choices about their health.
In 2023, Mana Wāhine launched their own website to encourage women to take charge of their health and showcase their services in a powerful, meaningful and vivid way.
A happy day out for people with dementia.
Home4All’s innovative programme aims to restore a level of independence, create moments of joy and happiness and bring a sense of pride to people in the preliminary stages of dementia.
All visitors are encouraged to use their skillsets, rediscover their passions and spend time doing things they love in a safe, social and welcoming environment.
Harnessing the power of people to deliver positive conservation outcomes.
Established in 2021, Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance (colloquially referred to as WaiP2K) has a mission to bring people together from Mount Bruce to Cape Palliser and mobilise volunteers to get involved in a range of local conservation projects.
Providing mental health support through creative engagement.
First located out of Cuba Street, Pablo’s Art Studio’s story started in 1993 as a creative response to the demand for better community support for marginalised communities. For over 30-years, Pablos has offered support to hundreds of Wellingtonians, using art therapy to provide emotional support and an identity-affirming safe space. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support a community outreach programme to palliative care patients at Mary Potter Hospice in Porirua.
Inclusive, uplifting community outreach.
Wellington-based, Ekta’s story started in 2017 when a small group of volunteers started to work alongside newly settled migrants from India. The aim was to educate them on all-things New Zealand and to provide opportunities for connection and inclusion. In 2020, as New Zealand locked down and many faced additional financial struggles and unemployment, Ekta ventured into building a food bank to support many in our communities.
Enhancing learning opportunities and wellbeing through animal therapy.
Ted's Space is an initiative providing emotional support and pet therapy to positively enhance students' learning opportunities and engagement with their school, health and wellbeing. In early 2023, Nikau was delighted to provide a grant to support service delivery to help neurodiverse and neurotypical students to navigate life's challenges, gain confidence and build life skills.
An innovative solution to address waste and embrace community.
Acknowledging the high volume of usable items that make their way to landfill, Porirua-based Freeforall makes sure that items find a good home with people who need them the most. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support Freeforall’s growth, providing a grant to support the General Manager’s salary.
Creating healthier and safer futures for youth
Aiming to address the root cause of offending and make positive changes in the lives of young people, Te Kāhu Tiu Trust's community rehabilitation programmes connect young offenders to the land and address trauma from the inside out.
Responsive support for our city’s most vulnerable.
As it has for over 120-years, Compassion Soup Kitchen, which is based on Wellington’s Tory Street, is offering responsive, wrap-around support to people experiencing food insecurity. To ensure they could keep their six-day-a-week meal service running smoothly, they requested funding to upgrade their IT equipment; a project with which Nikau Foundation was delighted to assist.
Kāpiti athletes off to the Special Olympics World Games.
For Kāpiti-based athletes, Cole Bailey and Louis Edwards, football is not just a sport; it is an opportunity to connect and feel a sense of belonging. After years of hard work and training, the two young men are heading to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin to complete as part of the New Zealand Football Team.
Encouraging meaningful connection with nature.
Growing Places Charitable Trust has a mission to connect the community, bring nature into public spaces and create positive ecological outcomes. Its KETE - Kids Enhancing Tawa Ecosystems programme engages students in environmental projects, sowing the seed for a lifelong love of nature.
Supporting kōhine to live their best lives.
The Shift Foundation's story started when Founder, Fran McEwen, became aware of the many benefits of physical recreation for improved mental health. First piloted with the Wellington City Council, The Shift Foundation’s programmes aim to holistically improve young women’s wellbeing.
Promoting social change through the arts .
Founded 20 years ago by Artistic Director Nina Nawalowalo ONZM and Executive Producer Tom McCrory, The Conch Charitable Trust has created a platform for the telling of Pacific stories across the globe, presenting theatrical works at over 40 international festivals. In 2022, Nikau Foundation supported The Conch’s beautifully poignant production of A Boy Called Piano.
Providing inclusive opportunities for fun and exploration.
Founded in 2004, the Autism Intervention Trust has a mission to enable success for every child by supporting families with an autistic child in practical and positive ways. The Autism Intervention Trust sought funding to cover operational expenses to run their weekly gym classes, providing inclusive opportunities for fun and exploration.
Strengthening the story of a Wellington institution.
Now in its 95th year, Wellington Free Ambulance is one of our region’s most well-known for-purpose organisations. With a goal to strengthen their storytelling, Wellington Free Ambulance undertook a GoodMeasure Report with local organisation, ImpactLab. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support.
A permanent home for an important community hub.
With more and more individuals and families in need of a bit of extra help, it was important that Kāpiti Foodbank was able to find a permanent home. Thanks to hands-on help from the community and funding, this important hub was officially opened in September 2022.
Supporting older generations to navigate the digital world.
Acknowledging a lack of services dedicated to upskilling older generations to use technology, Digital Seniors launched its services in 2018. Delivered from community hubs, in homes and online, these one-on-one services help older people to feel comfortable using a range of technology such as Zoom, online banking and apps.
Inclusive opportunities to engage in the arts.
Wellington-based theatre group, Silver Noodle Soup was established to provide performance and professional development opportunities for people who are neurodiverse or who are experiencing disability of some kind.
Inspiring kaitiakitanga for marine life and Aotearoa’s coastline.
With a dedicated volunteer base of over 4500, Project Jonah is making waves with marine mammal rescue and kaitiaki for our coastline. Since 1974, they have become world leaders and innovators in marine mammal rescue science.
Transformational funding for a Wellington institution.
Almost 50 years since being established by Peter Button OBE QGM, Life Flight has completed over 40,000 missions nationwide, helping the community access the urgent medical care they need when there are minutes to spare. Nikau Foundation was delighted to help Life Flight purchase a new trailer, enabling safer and more efficient take-offs from their Lyall Bay HQ.