The GIFT Story

From inception, to transition

The currents & tides that have shaped GIFT

“It [Mauri] is that force that interpenetrates all things to bind and knit them together and as the various elements diversify, mauri acts as the bonding element creating unity in diversity.”

QUOTE: ROYAL, TE A. C. (ED.). THE WOVEN UNIVERSE: SELECTED WRITINGS OF REV. MĀORI MARSDEN. OTAKI: ESTATE OF REV. MĀORI MARSDEN, 2003.

Elements in decline

The ailing health of Tīkapa Moana Te Moananui-ā-Toi – her moana, land, animals, plants and people – was increasingly being highlighted when Foundation North launched its Gulf Innovation Fund Together (G.I.F.T) initiative in August 2016. Outdated marine legislation, siloed and entitled thinking, economic interests outweighing environmental interests, and human exploitation of nature have all combined to cause this decline, over many decades.

Mauri at the centre

Research and kōrero with Iwi/Māori and other stakeholders supported the idea of a bold, sustained and innovative approach, and those designing the new fund saw an opportunity to place the Māori concept of Mauri at the centre.

A separately branded GIFT fund, with an initial $5m over five years, enabled a small team within Foundation North to develop a fluid, nimble and collaborative funding mechanism to seed experimental initiatives, projects shown to have potential and larger scale kaupapa looking to effect systemic change. GIFT-funded projects also received capacity and evaluation support from the Centre for Social Impact.

Shifting GIFT’s emphasis

In its early years, GIFT attracted requests from applicants normally excluded from the Foundation’s usual funding criteria: individuals, small companies and academic researchers. GIFT’s influence and network grew, partnerships were formed and external funding was leveraged.

Around Year Three, a shift in emphasis occurred. The GIFT team adapted its ways of working to be more culturally responsive and initiatives led by Tangata Whenua became a priority. Mātauranga Māori practices and approaches were recognised, valued and implemented, and the GIFT network’s understanding of mauri was deepened through wānanga with Te Kaa. At the same time, GIFT explored different ways to use a systems lens to identify the factors holding the Gulf’s restoration back.

Into transition

After five years, GIFT is binding its learning and practice together to inform Foundation North and other philanthropic organisations. While GIFT as a standalone fund will end in 2022, Foundation North remains committed to Tīkapa Moana Te Moananui-ā-Toi and her people through its other funding streams

Lasting connections

NĀU TE ROUROU,
NĀKU TE ROUROU,
KĀ ORA AI TE IWI

WITH YOUR GIFT,
WITH MY GIFT,
PEOPLE WILL PROSPER

Kotahitanga has been a key theme of GIFT, with grantees:

  • Listening to and amplifying the voice of native species and ecosystems to inform regeneration
  • Challenging outdated practices and systems that exclude or undermine Indigenous knowledge and self determination
  • Promoting leadership and learning for future generations
  • Engaging and collaborating with warmth and respect.

GIFT celebrates the many people who give their time, Mātauranga and aroha to support a great diversity of mahi that together will have positive intergenerational impact on te taiao and her people.

Up Next:

GIFT Funding