Your Stories

Innovation is risky and takes courage.  It doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will.  Community Trust South invested over...

The Nattering Knitter has volunteers all over the world that knit peggy squares that are made into special Hug Rugs, which go to p...

We believed in this project right from the beginning, fully funding the first beacons in 1996 with a grant of $260,000.  It is est...

We were a founding funder of this exciting programme and have invested over $500k so far – to date the programme has produced 7 Ol...

We established the Sport Scholarship programme in 2001 for elite amateur athletes and officials to celebrate achievement, recognis...

Built in the early 2000’s Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff is the southern most marae in New Zealand.  It is unique with its beautiful ...

Clematis Cottage has been restored to its former glory and has been established as the Mataura Museum.  The cottage brings to life...

In 1996 when the region was experiencing an economic down turn, we created the Amenities Grants scheme.  Funding of $2 million was...

We appreciate the importance of preserving our region’s history.  Thousands of dollars have been poured into heritage projects thr...

Koha Kai aims to 'encourage a life of purpose' for people who are isolated by disability.  Since inception in 2015, we have been a...

From 60 exhibitors 35 years ago to 800 in 2018, the Southern Field Days is the biggest agricultural event in the South Island. We ...

Good things take time.  We were a faithful supporter of this ambitious project back in 2005, appreciating the vision for potential...

The Gore Kids Hub took collaboration to a whole new level.  Three individual organisations coming together striving for something ...

Norman Jones firmly believed in second chance education, and for almost 25 years Community Trust South has partnered with the Norm...

The Invercargill Garrison Band has been promoting and teaching brass music in the south for over 150 years.  The band received the...

Lives have been changed and students have hope and a plan for their future. Community Trust South has funded the NCEA4U programme ...

Jenny Mitchell is an award-winning Southland singer/songwriter. She is the inaugural recipient of our CREATE fund.  CREATE – An Ar...

Jim Geddes is a man of great mana and vision. We have been privileged to partner with Jim on numerous projects in Eastern Southlan...

Since 2006 we have provided funding support for the Roving Museum Officer role in Southland.  In this unique role, Roving Museum O...

Back Country Foods is an iconic New Zealand outdoor adventure food brand based in Invercargill and producing premier freeze-dried ...

We were approached to help save the golf club from losing their land. They were paying an annual lease which was beyond them. A co...

We support Community Worker roles in and around Western, Northern, Central Southland and Fiordland, acknowledging the pivotal role...

We have funded over $1 million to the Murihiku Health Scholarship programme endeavouring to fill gaps in the health workforce by p...

Preserving a Category 1 historic building is an achievement in itself, but when the building continues to function as a centre for...

Luke’s Mum Jo Horrell is a big fan of fluro vests for kids. We supported Road Safety Southland’s initiative in 2005 to provide a f...

The grant of over $4 million to Stadium Southland was one of the largest grants we ever made. More than just a facility, Stadium S...

Since 2005 we have been funding the C S Arts Charitable Trust. The weekly classes have helped to encourage and nurture the artisti...

The Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Cultural Trust lives and breathes their vision to uplift and celebrate Maori and Pasifika cultures...

We were one of the major investors in the Queenstown trails with grants totaling $1.5 million. This network of trails has evolved ...

We stepped into the unknown, approving over $3 million in 2001 towards the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Zero Fees scheme...

We have had the privilege of walking alongside Southland disAbility Enterprises as it has grown from a small operation to the mult...