TG Macarthy Trust grants $3 million to strengthen greater Wellington communities

Media release
16 December 2025

One of New Zealand’s largest charitable trusts has awarded $3 million to 700 education and community groups across the greater Wellington region, funding projects that range from soup kitchens to sensory pods.

Founded in 1912 by Wellington brewer Thomas George Macarthy, the TG Macarthy Trust – managed by Public Trust – supports initiatives that improve education, health and wellbeing, with a focus on equity for Māori, Pasifika, and vulnerable communities.

Public Trust’s Andrew Bhimy says Macarthy’s legacy continues to make a real difference. This year, the Trust supported 206 schools, 57 play centres, 149 kindergartens, 73 kōhanga reo, 9 Pasifika early childhood education centres, 28 toy libraries and 176 charities across Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Horowhenua and Whanganui.

“There’s so much need in our communities, and so much incredible work being done to meet it. Public Trust has been privileged to administer the T G Macarthy Trust for more than a century. The fact that a soup kitchen Macarthy supported in his lifetime is among this year’s recipients shows how his legacy connects past and present.”

Highlights from the 2025 contestable funding round include:

•$130,000 to the Wellington Sikh Sangat Trust to build a community kitchen in Porirua, the single largest grant awarded this year. By joining forces with other charitable funders, the T G Macarthy Trust helped secure additional financial support needed to make this undertaking a reality.

•$109,000 to Youth Inspire to support young people in the Hutt Valley. Funding will enable the organisation to expand its premises and purchase a new vehicle for driving lessons – helping teens gain skills and confidence for the road ahead.

•$100,000 to Ngatokowaru Marae Committee to support its Papakāinga Plus project in Levin, housing for active retirees to live at the marae and contribute as kaitiaki.

•$30,000 to Hōhepa Wellington for a multi-sensory pod. This space will help people with intellectual disabilities, providing access to an important therapeutic and wellbeing resource for families on the Kāpiti Coast.

•$36,000 to the Suzanne Aubert Compassion Centre in Wellington for a fire security upgrade for its soup kitchen. Macarthy personally supported this charity.

•$10,000 to Waimarino Budget Service to support essential budgeting services for families hit hard by recent job losses.

Looking ahead, the Trust will introduce more frequent grant rounds from 2026, enabling faster support for emerging priorities. These changes will open up more collaboration and co funding opportunities, says Andrew Bhimy, and build on the Trust’s commitment to funding initiatives that strengthen communities and promote equity, education and learning, and support for those in greatest need.

“Communities face challenges that can arise quickly, and we want to ensure our granting keeps pace. Moving to more frequent rounds means we can provide timely support where it’s needed most,” he says.

Applications for the next funding round will open in June next year, with information shared on Public Trust’s website: TG Macarthy Trust

ENDS

Interviews, video and images are available on request.

Contact: Georgie Hills, Head of Communications, phone 0212593016, [email protected].

About Public Trust
When most people think of making a will, they often think of Public Trust. Public Trust is an autonomous Crown entity and New Zealand’s largest provider of trustee and estate administration services. We’re here for New Zealanders at every age and stage of life. We support families taking care of a loved ones’ last wishes and parents appointing a guardian for their young children. We’re also one of New Zealand’s largest charitable trust administrators.