Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill
Trust Horizon is a charitable trust with over $200 million in assets that currently can only give money to energy-related causes in the Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, and Kaingaroa area. Because there are only so many energy projects to fund, the trust has been sitting on a growing pile of money it cannot spend. This bill changes the rules so the trust can fund any charitable cause that benefits people in that area. It also lets the trust update its own rules in future with High Court approval, instead of needing a new law each time.
What this affects
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A trust with over $200 million in assets will be able to give money to a much wider range of community causes in its district, instead of being limited to energy projects.
The Trust now has more than $200 million in assets
'Charitable Purposes' means any object or purpose that is charitable in accordance with the laws of New Zealand... provided that such application benefits (directly or indirectly) members of the community within the District
the annual total amount of grants approved by the Trust has remained largely static over the last 30 years, even during periods of population growth
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Social Services and Community Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 8 April 2026.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.