# Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust is an Endowment / Foundation based in Rotorua, New Zealand.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Rotorua, New Zealand
- **Region:** Oceania
- **Address:** Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
- **Founded:** 1994
- **Assets under management:** 100.3 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** rotoruatrust.org.nz
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.rotoruatrust.org.nz

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust was established in 1994. Stewart Edward served as its founding chairperson. The trust's capital traces to the energy sector and remains ring-fenced for the Rotorua district. The trust deploys capital across real estate holdings, community loans, and early-stage venture commitments. It holds direct interests in the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund alongside BayTrust, TECT, and Trust Horizon. Confirmed positions include 1358 Eruera Street, Pukaki Centre, and the Rotorua Trust Art Collection at the Rotorua Museum. Geographic focus remains New Zealand, with all activity concentrated in the Bay of Plenty region. The trust employs a small team led by Chief Executive Jackie McCullough. It maintains membership in Philanthropy New Zealand and the Rotorua Business Chamber. In 2025 Stewart Edward stepped down as chairperson after more than three decades. The trust also operates the Perpetual Capital Fund and a community loan portfolio. Governance rests with a board of trustees drawn from local iwi and council relationships, including Ngāti Whakaue and Rotorua Lakes Council. This produces a closed-loop sourcing model tied to district infrastructure priorities rather than open-market mandates.

## Sectors

- Real Estate
- Philanthropy

## People

- Stewart Edward — Chairperson
- Mike Keefe — Deputy Chairperson
- Jackie McCullough — Chief Executive Officer
- Catherine Cooney — Trustee
- Fisher Wang — Trustee

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust?

Stewart Edward served as chairperson until 2025. Jackie McCullough acts as chief executive. The board includes trustees from Ngāti Whakaue and Rotorua Lakes Council.

### How does Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust source proprietary deal flow?

The trust works through repeated co-funding with BayTrust, TECT, and Trust Horizon on the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. Local council and iwi partnerships generate additional opportunities.

### Does Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

It holds both direct real-estate assets and interests in the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. No external fund commitments beyond that vehicle are recorded.

### What is Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

It co-invests with BayTrust, TECT, and Trust Horizon in the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. No other external manager relationships are disclosed.

## Related profiles

- [SinoPac Venture Capital](https://altss.com/profile/sinopac-venture-capital)
- [The Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/the-maurice-wohl-charitable-foundation)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/rotorua-energy-charitable-trust

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