Newsletter Autumn 2024
Tūpiki Trust investment showing a return
Excitement filled Hillary Outdoors’ Tongariro Centre on Friday 16 February, as Dave Bamford, Trustee of the NZAC Tūpiki Trust, cut the ribbon to open their new Climbing Facility, adding a new technical climbing wall and classroom spaces to their amenities. This state-of-the-art facility elevates what they can offer to the young people of Aotearoa by expanding the outdoor and adventure education programmes for schools.
The Tūpiki Trust, using funds donated by our founding chair John Nankervis, were thrilled to have been able to support the creation of this world-class facility as a way of honouring Nank’s legacy.
As most of you know, Nank was an inspirational mountaineer, tramper, explorer and skier, who climbed peaks worldwide. Nank became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to mountaineering and conservation, and sadly passed away in 2022. He was a key figure in the creation and direction of the Tūpiki Trust, with the dual purpose of fostering and supporting New Zealand climbing and the conservation of climbing areas.
The Tūpiki Trust contributed over a quarter of a million dollars towards this project creating a taonga which will inspire the next generation of climbers, a give long lasting return on the investment we made.
Nank believed that “youth are the future for a healthy Aotearoa”, and the team at Hillary Outdoors took the opportunity of the opening to celebrate this future, by having the next generation of climbers leading the way throughout the opening event. Once Dave had cut the ribbon, the Diploma students took charge, offering instruction, encouragement and belaying expertise to all the climbers there that day.
The new climbing wall and classrooms provide a safe and controlled place for students to build confidence, connections and leadership while learning new skills. The wall offers an alternative climbing option in bad weather and enables students to build competence before facing more challenging climbs. It also provides opportunities for school groups to build deeper connections by fostering trust and teamwork through climbing activities. Rangatahi can study the theory behind new climbing skills in the classrooms before putting those skills into practice on the climbing wall. Although this was one of the largest single investments the Tūpiki Trust has made to date, we can already see the payback, as enthusiastic young climbers are introduced to the sport we all love so much
Tūpiki backs another community success
Leaning Lodge Trust has completed building work on their new lodge and it’s open and ready for public use. Tūpiki Trust was pleased to be able to support this project with a $25,000 grant to complete the $205,000 fundraising efforts of the local outdoors community.
The lodge is located at 1220m on the flank of the Rock and Pillar Range, in behind Middlemarch, and provides a fine base for outdoor recreation amidst the tors, tussock and alpine landscape ranging up to 1450m. Design, fund raising, construction of the new lodge and toilet plus removal of the old hut and toilet took place during 2021-2024.
The new 10 bunk hut has a kitchen area, solar lighting, a web cam enabling on-line weather viewing and a weather station that will provide publicly available weather data.
Excellent work by the builder and many volunteers on site, sometimes in challenging weather, saw the last of the work completed in March. The Tūpiki Trust congratulates all involved in the project, particularlu project leader Phillip Lindsay and key contributor John Cocks.
The spacious interior of the new hut.
March 24 Grant Applications
Eighteen projects were submitted to the Tūpiki Trust in the March 24 grants round and these totaled over $1,500,000!
Board members have worked as quickly as possible to evaluate the applications to ensure that our donors’ funds are invested wisely in projects which will make a difference to climbing, or to the care of Aotearoa’s climbing areas.
Several of the more complex projects are undergoing due diligence as we talk to the applicants in more detail about their projects and we will make announcements about these on the Tūpiki Trust webpage once final decisions have been made.
But eight of the projects were more straight forward and we are pleased to be able to announce funding has been approved for the following applications.
Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) has been granted $8,000 to build a toilet at Whanganui Bay to support rock climbing in that area.
ACAT has also been given $6,000 for a re-bolting project at Pakeho.
Atara Films, together with Katabatic Creative Filming, was granted $10,000 to complete an innovative short film. Watch for the release of Nutcracker when its completed next year. Older skiers may realise this is not a ballet film.
Alpine Rescue Canterbury were granted $10,000 to support their team members with specialist clothing.
Mountain Safety Council received $20,000 for an All Weather Station on Mt Angelus, improving forecasting for those using this alpine area.
NZ Alpine Club were granted $15,000 to assist with funding of the ongoing development of www.climbnz - a tool which has become a key source of climbing information.
Hazel Phillips will receive $5,000 toward the publications of a Ruapehu backcountry history.
Project Tongariro is creating an important Digital archive of the Lands & Survey ranger history and we have backed that project with $10,000.
Homer Hut Pest Control Project
Southland Section of NZAC have for several years operated trap lines in Fiordland to control pests and protect the native biodiversity in the region and in 2022 Tūpiki Trust provided funding to support extension of the trap network in Homer Hut area.
Volunteers led by Stanley Mulvany have added our financial support to their dedicated efforts to place 100 traps in Gertrude Valley and upper Hollyford.
· 23 Goodnature A24 (10 with Lure Baskets and the rest APPs)
· 47 DOC200s (single) and DOC150’s (doubles)
· 30 Trapinators
The traps are regularly checked and maintained by volunteers from the Southland Section of NZAC, Southland Tramping Club and Fiordland Outdoor and Recreation Club.
Traps are occasionally damaged during extreme weather and some thefts have occurred. Please do not interfere with the traps and advise Stanley Mulvany if you observe unauthorized activity around these traps by contacting him on Mobile: 0210422640 and Email: stanleymulvany@gmail.com
Photo right - David Cary from Te Anau and Isla Marwick from Milford Sound Tourism joined Stanley recently to service all 143 traps (169 if doubles counted) around Homer and in the Bowen Valley.
Your support for the Tūpiki Trust
The NZAC Tūpiki Trust is able to make a difference thanks to the generosity of our donors and we welcome opportunities to talk to potential supporters about the options for making a donation, bequest, or sponsorship arrangement. Our founding principles recognise the need to care for any funds entrusted to us and the Board of Trustees are committed to sound financial management, accurate accounting and timely reporting of our investments. We are also committed to financial prudence and actively manage our operational costs so that they do not exceed 5% of the grants made in any year.
The Trust also offers donors the flexibility that meets your needs; whether as a one-off donation, a regular contribution or a bequest. We also welcome opportunities to discuss focused gifts – those tied to a specific current or future project. As the Trust is a registered charity, your donation or bequest may qualify you for a taxation rebate.
Making a donation. Simply visit our website at www.tupikitrust.org.nz and click on the “Donate” button and complete the form – which gives you an opportunity to tell us if you have a preference for where the money will be spent. But please be aware, bank transfer charges will deduct almost 6% from your donation – although a tax receipt will be sent to you for the entire amount donated.
If you would prefer to donate the full amount, you can make a deposit to the bank account shown on the “Donate” page and email your details and any special requests for the use of your gift to admin@tupikitrust.org.nz and we will email your receipt and a letter of acknowledgement to you.
Making a bequest. Bequests are most welcome and if you would like to include a provision in your will, we do suggest you discuss this with your solicitor or financial advisor who can suggest the type of bequest which would be meet your needs, as there are a number of options.
The general wording used in a will to give effect to a bequest is:
“I give free of all duties to The NZAC Tūpiki Trust [the sum of $(specify)] or [the residue of my estate] or [(specify)% of the residue of my estate] or [my (specify)] to be used and applied for the general purposes of the Trust”.
We realise that including a provision in your will can be complex, and the Trust may be able to offer financial assistance towards the cost of professional advice should that be needed. Please contact the Tūpiki Trust Administrator or one of the Trustees who will be able to discuss this with you.
Margaret Fyfe – Patron
Ross Cullen – Chair
Jim Petersen
Geoff Gabites
Dave Bamford
Lindsay Smith
Sam Newton
The NZAC Tūpiki Trust
P O Box 786,
Christchurch
03 377 7595