PHT partners with Nikau Foundation to launch a new Housing Fund
- Terry Fenn
- Nov 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 19
Kia ora hapori!
It was terrific to get such a great turnout from our Paekākāriki community last Tuesday (11th November 2025) at the Village Hall to celebrate the launch of the Paekākāriki Housing Fund. What a buzz there was in the village hall and what a milestone for our Trust!
(Photo credit: Bob Zurr)
We’ve been working for some time to establish this partnership between the Pāekākāriki Housing Trust and the Nikau Foundation and we reckon this is a rich opportunity for building future financial resilience for the Trust’s work. What it means is that while we’re still seeking funds for current projects, we’re also building capital through donations and bequests into a fund that Nikau will grow for us (they have specialist investment advisors who manage the fund, then once mature we get to use the interest to support the Trust’s mahi). Nikau has a great reputation regionally and nationally - people can read all about Nikau and about our new Housing Fund here.
It was generous of the Nikau Foundation to host the village community with drinks and food. Nikau also brought along several of their local members who are active in Nikau’s Kapiti committee. Also present were our Kapiti Mayor and Deputy Mayor, local Community Board and many others with connections with, or curiosity about the Housing Trust. Terry Fenn, a PHT trustee, spoke about why she’d joined the Trust and how important community is for kaupapa such as ours, then Em Lewis, Nikau CEO, spoke about Nikau’s wider work and how they ensure community support translates into financial support. Tina Pope (our PHT Co-Chair) spoke last, outlining not only where the Trust has been but also sharing some exciting new initiatives on the horizon for 2026, including the Additional Dwellings project. The Trust has received some Government funding to set this up. Watch this space for updates on this new project.
(Photo credit: Bob Zurr)
(Photo credit: Bob Zurr)
Special thanks to Josie at Finn’s for the catering – Finn’s is one of the local businesses who support our Trust. A big shout out to the team at Nikau too – Maddie, Hilaire and Em. We’re looking forward to spreading our reach in this new partnership. To our Paekākāriki community – we’re here to work with you and invite you to be part of our ongoing story to keep this amazing community connected, diverse and well-housed.
Ngā mihi nui!
