News

Inspire a child to read

Inspire a child to read

The Inspire a Child to Read programme run by Hedley’s Books during the Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading received a $16,000 grant. Around 700 students in years five and six across eight Masterton schools were given vouchers for a free book. They were also invited to meet four Kiwi writers. A te reo event was held at Te Kura Kaupapa with local writer Maxine Hemi.

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NZ Society of Genealogists – Wairarapa

NZ Society of Genealogists – Wairarapa

In September 2022, the Trust found a new  home for the local branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists (NZSG). The branch opens weekly and supports people to research family histories. It has an extensive library, microfiche records and a host of historical research aides. “The concessional rent has enabled us to keep our resources safe and available for use by our members and the public. Tracing the journey of our families - where they came from, how they got here and their journey within New...

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MTLT celebrates 150 years

MTLT celebrates 150 years

To mark 150 years of Masterton Trust Lands Trust, in July 2022, a special event was held at Aratoi for current and former Trustees and staff, kaumātua and iwi representatives, local dignitaries and community leaders. The formalities included speeches from then Trust chair Leanne Southey, who used the occasion to launch the Trust’s bold new vision for public art – announcing the first of a series of murals that would be created later that year on Trust-owned buildings in Masterton’s CBD....

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Masterton community to benefit from $1.5m

Masterton community to benefit from $1.5m

Community-owned Masterton Trust Lands Trust has announced an historic annual grants budget of 1.5 million for 2022/23. It coincides with the Trust’s 150th year. “My fellow trustees and I are thrilled the Trust has achieved a record-high grants budget to support our community in the year ahead. We look forward to the benefits the boost in funding will provide locally,” said Leanne Southey, Trust chair. The $1.5 million represents the largest amount of money the Trust has ever made available to...

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Whakaoriori Wellbeing Project – Fostering social competence

Whakaoriori Wellbeing Project – Fostering social competence

The Whakaoriori Wellbeing Project aims to foster social competence as young people transition from early childhood to primary school and from primary to secondary school. A total grant value of $600,000 has been committed for this project over the next two to three years. The project takes a long-term approach with participants involved in programmes that span at least 12-24 months. The first recipients of funding from this project are St Patrick's Primary School and Chanel College. Together...

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Art scholarship for top student to study animation

Art scholarship for top student to study animation

Former Kuranui College student Isabelle Davidson was awarded the 2021 Golden C’Art Scholarship from Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT) to support her studies towards a Bachelor of Animation at Yoobee Colleges in Wellington. Worth $1,000, the scholarship is awarded annually to a top performing Wairarapa student in a fine arts subject going on to study an arts-related course at a New Zealand tertiary institution. The recipient is selected through agreement by Wairarapa secondary school...

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Trust announces 2021 education grants

Trust announces 2021 education grants

A diverse lineup of locally-based community organisations and education providers have received funding for education programmes from the Masterton Trust Lands Trust, boosting opportunities and access to life-long learning. A total of $101,726 has been granted by the Trust to help 13 organisations in the Masterton district. The money will support programmes that strengthen Pasifika cultural identity through performing arts, improve mental health resilience through creative outlets, and empower...

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Masterton Trust Lands Trust launches the Whakaoriori Wellbeing Project

Masterton Trust Lands Trust launches the Whakaoriori Wellbeing Project

Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT/the Trust) is embarking on a bold and collaborative initiative to significantly improve the educational outcomes of students across the Masterton district. Through focusing on a single identified area where it believes it can have the greatest impact, and recognising the benefits of multi-year funding commitment and collaboration across the whole education sector, the Trust will support school initiatives to improve wellbeing and ‘social competency’. “The...

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Funding announced for Masterton education programmes and COVID-hit NFPs

Funding announced for Masterton education programmes and COVID-hit NFPs

An exciting array of education programmes across Masterton have just received funding from the Masterton Trust Lands Trust, boosting opportunities for learning for both young and old. From outdoor education, to digital technology, the arts and history, to sports and more, nearly $130,000 has been granted to 18 organisations from the newly established community education grants fund. This fund was established during the year to offer grants to community and education organisations involved in...

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Masterton Trust Lands Trust offers community education grants

Masterton Trust Lands Trust offers community education grants

Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT) is offering grants to community and education organisations involved in providing local education programmes and opportunities. The new community education fund is providing a total of $125,000 in grants, with grants available up to $15,000 each. “The community education grants are available to a wider range of organisations than we have previously provided funding to,” said MTLT Education Committee Chair Christine Brewster. “The aim of this approach is to...

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Golden C’Art Scholarship awarded to local student

Golden C’Art Scholarship awarded to local student

Former St Matthew’s Collegiate student Gemma Sims has been awarded this year’s Golden C’Art Scholarship from Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT) to help with her study towards a Bachelor of Design with Honours at Massey University in Wellington. Worth $1,000, the scholarship is awarded to a top performing Wairarapa student in a fine arts subject who is going on to study an arts-related course at a New Zealand tertiary institution. The recipient is selected through agreement by Wairarapa...

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MTLT provides new home for Wairarapa Woodworkers Guild

MTLT provides new home for Wairarapa Woodworkers Guild

There will be more opportunities for local people to develop woodworking skills after Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT) provided the Wairarapa Woodworkers Guild with a concessional rent grant and larger facility to operate from. The Guild has relocated from Carterton Men’s Shed into the MTLT-owned former trout hatchery building adjacent to Millennium Reserve. Guild president Nick Crozier said the building was ideal for the organisation, which has a growing membership. “It’s fantastic to have...

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Scholarship awarded to local hairdressing apprentice

Scholarship awarded to local hairdressing apprentice

The training and career aspirations of local hairdressing apprentice Kylie Harris have been given a boost after she was awarded a Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT) Tenant Apprentice Scholarship recently. Six scholarships are available annually to apprentices working for tenants of MTLT to assist them with industry training fees. Worth up to $1,000 each, the scholarships are part of the Trust’s education grants programme. Working at Michelle’s Hair Studio in Masterton, Ms Harris is in the...

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