Our Purpose
The Trust’s purpose is to attract and develop talent in the hospitality sector, targeting people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate or advance in this exciting and rewarding industry.
Background
Given the newness of the Trust's Board and the impending sale of one of the Trust's key assets, it's timely to revisit what the fundamental purpose of the Trust should be, for now. By way of background, both the Trust Deed and the Charities Act leave this wide open, stating that the organisation can use and apply Trust funds for charitable purposes* as the Trustees determine from time to time i.e. Trustees have absolute discretion (note that the Trust is not obliged to pay the whole of income in any one year, but can accumulate funds and use at a later time).
* Charitable purpose basically means anything beneficial to the community
Which Sector & Why
While not obliged to support hospitality, given the Trust's capital originates from the hospitality sector and given a history of association with this sector, we have decided to continue to undertake good works in the hospitality industry, for the time being. This decision is reinforced by the importance of the sector to New Zealand by way of economic contribution, regional growth, employment opportunity etc. Due to the flow on effect of Covid and extreme weather events however, the sector has been under significant pressure of recent times. A real and compelling opportunity therefore exists for the Trust to make a difference, by continuing to support this sector in ways consistent with the Trust’s fundamental purpose.
Where's there a need
Given the challenges mentioned above, accessing people with the motivation, ambition, vision and skills to develop a career in the hospitality industry has become increasingly problematic. For now, this is where the Trust believes it can have the biggest impact, potentially in partnership with others where it optimises the impact the Trust can have.