Rydges Latimer Christchurch
The Combined Community Trusts’ biennial conference was hosted by the Rata Foundation (formally The Canterbury Community Trust) and was attended by over 200 staff, board trustees, chief executives and fund managers from throughout New Zealand.

The 12 combined community trusts of New Zealand are the custodians of over $2 billion of investments and collectively grant over $100 million to thousands of community organisations throughout New Zealand each year.

The theme of conference was “Seed”, drawing inspiration from the beautiful whakatouki (Maori proverb) that “Today’s Seeds are Tomorrow’s Forests”. We wanted to create an experience for delegates that embraced the ideas of renewal, innovation, growth and hope – elements reflected in the conference setting of Christchurch; a city rising again after the earthquakes.

Day one featured a pōwhiri at the spectacular Rehua Marae. Delegates were later led on a double-decker bus tour of the inner city to visit some of the key rebuild projects, before arriving at their final destination, the recently re-opened Christchurch Art Gallery, for their Welcome Reception.

The three days offered trustees and staff to get together, with the support of speakers and sponsors to network and disucss mutual and contemporary philanthropic issues. The programme was split into three core themes, philanthropy, governance and investment. There was 38 impressive speakers ranging from international keynotes speakers, to local leaders, such as Judge Andrew Becroft, Hana O’Regan, Nigel Latta, Arihia Bennet, Marcus Akuhata-Brown.

Amongst the conference, the social media was going wild, with disucssions on Twitter, Facebook, and the conference app, all part of the live diaglogue.

Amongst the busy conference programme of speakers and concurrent sessions, the Dr Seuss themed conference dinner at the Transitional "Cardboard" Cathedral, provided an opportunity to wear wacky costumes and indulge in some silliness!