(download pdf)

Rotorua social service groups can now access free technology advice through a local ‘E-Rider’ or community IT adviser.

E-Rider, Steve Chester, began work on this project in October 2007 under the umbrella of the Rotorua Community ICT Trust. With more than 15 years of IT experience he can offer support at many levels, from a single-computer office to a full network. The service is free to community organisations and has a particular emphasis on building their long-term capability. Paul Killerby, Rotorua Community ICT Trust chair, said the purpose of the E-Rider service was to help raise the potential of computers and the Internet for Rotorua communities. “The E-Rider pilot project is proving successful so the Trust is seeking to continue it for at least another year”, he said. “We were very grateful to have received start-up funding through the government’s Digital Strategy Community Partnership Fund, Lottery Communities, the Rotorua Trust and Rotorua District Council.”
Mr Killerby said the Rotorua ICT Trust works in close partnership with other local organisations including Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua Social Services Council and Webhealth.co.nz.

Other projects spearheaded by the ICT Trust include support for community web sites such as www.myrotorua.com and planning toward an ‘E-Engage Your Community Conference’ to be held in late 2008. The ICT Trust also initiated an electronic waste collection, or E-Day, in 2007, which is being repeated in October this year with support from Environment Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District Council. For further information about the ICT Trust, visit www.rotict.orconhosting.net.nz Steve Chester can be contacted through the Rotorua Social Services Council, or e-mail: steve.chester@waiariki.ac.nz or ph 027-713 3200.

While the teams no longer march through the main streets in Rotorua the Kurangaituku Netball Tournament is still a very significant one.

To commemorate 75 years a book detailing the tournament’s history has been written by the Rotorua and District Historical Society. Mary Thompson, tournament organiser said just six teams played in the first tournament in 1933. “Now there are so many teams involved we have to run it over three consecutive weekends.” Mrs Thompson said the tournament is so popular because it is a club-only competition as opposed to a representative one. “Most club members don’t get to take part in tournaments like this and it’s also an end-of-season wind-up for many clubs.”

The tournament commences on the last Friday and Saturday in August with the lower club teams (186 teams), the following weekend the seniors (132 teams) play and on the last weekend intermediate and secondary school teams (60) play. “It’s huge logistically to organise so many teams, umpires, scorers and so on and we rely on many volunteers to make it all happen.”
The Rotorua District Council has always supported the tournament and even commissioned carver, Pine Taiapa, to make the senior’s first trophy in 1933, which is now too valuable for the winning team to keep. As well as the book, the club is also organising a gala dinner to be held on the weekend of the senior tournament.

Providing some basic physical needs for financially disadvantaged children is the driving aim of the KidsCan Charitable Trust.

The Trust works alongside primary and intermediate low decile schools with programmes including Raincoats For Kids, Shoes For Kids and Food For Kids initiatives. Kate Sanderson, KidsCan grants administrator, said there are four Rotorua schools and nearly 900 children currently involved in the programme. “We respond to requests from the schools to provide one or all of the programmes in an effort to help disadvantaged children and put them on a level playing field with the other children, so they can fulfil their potential.” Generally, all children will receive an All Black’s Adidas raincoat which helps them keep warm and dry in the winter months. The Shoes and Food For Kids programmes are available for those children who have the greatest need. “There are always new schools joining the waiting list for the programmes,” she said. Funding from the Rotorua Trust will be used to offer the programmes to more children in Rotorua.” The KidsCan Trust is funded by donations, sponsorship and grants.

The full list of community groups and organisations to receive funding from the Rotorua Trust in its latest donations round follows:

For more information please contact:
Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust
Stuart Burns
Chief Executive
Telephone 07 347 6239
Web www.rotoruatrust.org.nz

Rotorua and District Historical Society
Bryon Somervell
Telephone 07 347 4991

Rotorua Community ICT Trust
Paul Killerby
Telephone 07 348 8333

KidsCan Trust
Carl Sunderland
Telephone 09 413 7659

Issued by:

imPRove it Public Relations Ltd
Telephone 07 348 1444
Mobile 027 430 8876
Email annette@improveit.co.nz
Web www.improveit.co.nz

	(download pdf)

A new project will target local people and help them to lead healthier lifestyles though better food choices and enhancing cooking skills.

The development of the “Community Foodies” project in Rotorua (based on a successful South Australian model) has been through community consultation and careful planning by Waiariki Institute of Technology, in partnership with Health Rotorua Primary Health Organisation (PHO). Eugene Berryman-Kamp, CEO / Tumu Whakaarae Health Rotorua PHO, said there have been numerous requests for support from many sectors in the community to learn basic cooking skills and to receive advice on shopping for nutritious foods with the challenge of an ever-increasing cost of living. “The community will be able to nominate people to take part in the project. They will learn about shopping and cooking nutritionally beneficial meals.” The trained “Foodie” will then be able to go back to their community group to share this information. “Critical to the sustainable success of the “Community Foodie” project is a two-year mentoring component, rather like a good apprenticeship,” he said. “It’s all about
up-skilling the community so everyone can source and prepare healthy meals. This is more than a health issue; it is a community one, and this is reflected by the variety of community organisations that are supporting the project financially.”

More than 20 young people will take to the stage at Rotorua’s Little Theatre to perform ‘Our Town’, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Thornton Wilder.

Director, Remo Malcolm, said the young people taking part in the performance are from the Shambles Drama Group. “Shambles enables Rotorua Little Theatre to encourage young people into theatre. They come from most schools across Rotorua and have been working very hard to get the play up and running.” Ms Malcolm said ‘Our Town’ is not a children’s play but rather one for everyone. “It is a three-act play about caring, loving and community. The play talks about the important things in life, quietly, humorously and directed to your soul; it is a timeless classic,” she said. ‘Our Town’ is set in the period from 1900 – 1913 in New Hampshire, although it was written in 1937 and first performed in 1938.

Performances will run from 14 -19 July, with a matinee on Wednesday and two performances on Saturday. Bookings can be made at Rotorua Arts Village Experience (RAVE).

The Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust intends to complete stage one of a new nature walk in the scenic reserve on the mountain after receiving funding from the Rotorua Trust.

Heather McKenzie, Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust secretary, said that although the route of the track is being cleared by volunteers, it is not possible to do everything by hand.

“We need funding for machinery so the Rotorua Trust will give us a dollar donation for every dollar we raise in the community, “she said. “While our main focus is on restoration work in the bush and in particular on pest control, we also hope the bush can be a place where people can enjoy and learn about nature. We are particularly keen to see schools use the walk as an educational resource.” The walk, which will be accessible off Paradise Valley Road, will comprise of two large loops and be about 3 kilometres long, and it will be available for use by the general public.

Community groups and organisations to receive funding from the Rotorua Trust in its latest donations round were:

For more information please contact:
Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust
Stuart Burns
Chief Executive
Telephone 07 347 6239
Web www.rotoruatrust.org.nz

Health Rotorua PHO
Eugene Berryman-Kamp
Telephone 07 921 5129

Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust
Heather McKenzie
Telephone 07 357 2674

Rotorua Little Theatre
Remo Malcolm
Telephone 07 348 9009

Issued by:

imPRove it Public Relations Ltd
Telephone 07 348 1444
Mobile 027 430 8876
Email annette@improveit.co.nz
Web www.improveit.co.nz

DOWNLOADS

Images of the Trustees and Logo

To save the desired image, hold the mouse over the image links below. Then, right mouse click and select "save target as".

All images are in hi resolution

Logo
		All logos including brand management

Brand Management

NOTE: Please read the Brand Management document to see how to use the Trust’s logos correctly.