Fund Founders
Our partners are extremely important and help us accomplish our goals.
If you are interested in partnering with the Fund in some way, either as an investor, a provider of land or houses (council, iwi, CHP, developer, builder etc), a JV partner, or a community housing provider, please check out our Partner with Us page.
Sponsor & Founding Shareholder
Bay of Plenty Community Trust (BayTrust) was incorporated to provide charitable, cultural, philanthropic, recreational and other benefits to Bay of Plenty communities with our Kaupapa to accelerate bold meaningful change, assisting BOP communities and the environment to flourish.
The Trust’s region extends from Katikati to Tūrangi to Te Kaha and includes the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua and Taupō districts. The Trust’s Kaupapa also ensures that we deeply incorporate our commitments to Te Tiriti Waitangi and being climate responsible into everything we do.
To help achieve its purpose the Trusts invest its $250m of assets in a range of diversified investments designed to sustainably deliver returns over the long term, whilst reserving for inflation and population growth and then distribute these returns in the most impactful way as possible throughout the Trust’s region.
In keeping with these objectives, BayTrust have committed $10 million to the BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder.
Founding Shareholder
A Whakatane-based Charitable Trust, Trust Horizon represents the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Kawerau, and Kaingaroa Village areas within the Bay of Plenty.
Trust Horizon is committed to investing in projects that bring transformational change to the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Driving the region forward, and bringing prosperity and pride to its people.
In keeping with these objectives, Trust Horizon has committed $5 million to the BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder.
Founding Shareholder
As a community-focused trust, TECT provide support for local initiatives, facilities and events that bring vibrancy, connectedness, growth and economic benefits to the region. The transformational funding process brings life to grassroots organisations and large-scale multi-million-dollar projects alike.
It was 30 years ago that the sale of a power company sparked the formation of TECT. Today there would be few people in our region who haven’t been positively impacted by the funding decisions of the trust.
TECT support innovation in our community so that together we build a region that is the envy of all others. Now at approximately $1 billion, the TECT fund is one of the largest in the country, significantly contributing to the creation of a region from which, not only current residents will benefit, but future generations.
The Western Bay’s growing needs in terms of infrastructure, both physically and socially, are only going to increase, which is where TECT plays an increasingly critical role.
TECT have therefore committed $10 million to the BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder.
Founding Shareholder
The Rotorua Trust is a community-focused, not-for profit organisation that exists to create a better Rotorua for all.
Established in 1994 to serve the community of Rotorua, the Trust was formed out of the sale of Rotorua Electricity Ltd, with initial capital of $32 million, which, through careful management, has grown to over $150 million, with more than $124 million invested back into the Rotorua community since the Trust’s inception.
Rotorua Trust works with a wide range of community organisations, which collectively have a positive impact on nearly every Rotorua resident, and seeks to create partnerships and work collaboratively to help build the capability and resilience of groups throughout the Rotorua community.
In keeping with these objectives, Rotorua Trust has committed $5 million BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder.
Founding Shareholder
Tauranga City Council has identified addressing housing needs as a key priority for the city. Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city, home to an estimated 161,000 people, and forecast to continue to grow over coming years. Its rapid growth and constrained urban form have contributed to high housing prices, making housing unaffordable for many. Investing in the BOP Housing Equity Fund is an opportunity to deliver housing for those who need it most.
Council has funded its investment into the BOP Housing Equity Fund using proceeds from the sale of its elder housing villages (note: the majority of the villages were purchased by central government for continued use as public housing). Investing these sale proceeds into the Fund means the proceeds provide ongoing housing benefits for Tauranga, and gives Council the opportunity to partner with experienced impact investors from across the region, including its local partners BayTrust and TECT.
Council made its decision to invest following public consultation, and has committed $20 million to the BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder.
Founding Shareholder
New Zealand Green Investment Finance is a green investment bank established with the purpose of accelerating investment to enable Aotearoa New Zealand’s low carbon future.
NZGIF’s goal is to help New Zealand transition to a low carbon economy through effective climate finance. We invest in a range of sectors in a number of ways. But, in general terms, our finance is designed to help companies decarbonise their own operations, or to develop new technologies or processes that will help others decarbonise.
NZGIF has committed $10 million to the BOP Housing Equity Fund as a Founding Shareholder, targeted at housing projects meeting defined standards in respect to embodied carbon and ongoing GHG emissions.
Investment Manager
New Ground Capital has pioneered institutional Build to Rent (BTR) housing investments in NZ – providing modern, professionally managed homes and attractive long term investment opportunities for institutional investors.
Since 2014, New Ground has built a track record as an investment manager, developer, development manager and property manager across a wide spectrum of rental housing and affordable housing projects throughout the country.
We’re also proud to have co-founded the country’s first committed capital impact venture capital fund in 2017, establishing the innovative Homes For Tamariki fund in 2022 and being appointed to manage the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund in 2023.
Our purpose is to make a difference – and to collaborate with others who share our ambition.
Impact Advisor
Brightlight is an investment management firm committed to delivering world-class solutions for values-led investors.
The firm builds portfolios and products across the responsible, ethical, and impact investment spectrum to positively transform lives with NZ$800 million in assets under management and advice. Holding a firm belief that capital markets have the power to unlock economic value while also achieving deep social and environmental impact, Brightlight leverages investment skills, global reach, and sector knowledge to offer tailored solutions for investors seeking to promote a more just world.
