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The Bay of Plenty Community Trust
The Bay of Plenty Community Trust was formed in 1988 as Bay of Plenty Community Trust Incorporated. It functions as a philanthropic endowment that channels...
The Bay of Plenty Community Trust
The Bay of Plenty Community Trust was formed in 1988 as Bay of Plenty Community Trust Incorporated. It functions as a philanthropic endowment that channels returns from its investment portfolio into grants and loans for regional communities and environmental projects. The endowment originated from proceeds of the 1996 Trust Bank share sale. Alastair Rhodes serves as CEO while Rita Nabney chairs the board. The Trust deploys capital across real estate, renewable energy, and private equity. Asset classes include direct property investments via BayTrust Charities Limited, co-investments in aquaculture and forestry, and limited partner commitments to funds such as Purpose Capital Impact Fund and Pencarrow V. Confirmed positions include Whakatōhea Mussels, Lodestone Energy, and the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. Geographic focus centers on New Zealand with additional exposure to Australian infrastructure. Ticket sizes range from US$0.03 million to US$6.1 million. The organization employs 15 professionals and maintains memberships in Philanthropy New Zealand, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, and the Aotearoa Impact Investment Network. Alastair Rhodes chairs the Aotearoa Impact Investment Network. In March 2025 the Trust sponsored the EPIC Families event in Tauranga. Service providers include Melville Jessup Weaver for investment monitoring since 2012 and Ingham Mora as auditor since 2006. The Trust operates through a 100 percent owned subsidiary, BayTrust Charities Limited, established in 2020 specifically for property fund investments. This structure separates charitable grantmaking from commercial holdings while allowing direct ownership of operating businesses such as YouOwn and WNT Ventures.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1988
Location
Region
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
City
Tauranga
Corporate office
Level 1, 752 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand
Principals
Alastair Rhodes
CEO
Rita Nabney
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
Trustee and Investment Committee Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at The Bay of Plenty Community Trust?
Alastair Rhodes serves as CEO since 2015 and chairs the BOP Housing Equity Fund. Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell sits on the investment committee. Cambridge Associates provides external investment advice.
How does The Bay of Plenty Community Trust source proprietary deal flow?
The Trust participates in local syndicates such as Purpose Capital Impact Fund and maintains relationships with regional operators in housing and aquaculture. It also co-invests alongside Combined Community Trusts of New Zealand.
Does The Bay of Plenty Community Trust participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The Trust makes both limited partner commitments to funds including Pencarrow V and Purpose Capital Impact Fund and holds direct investments in property and operating companies through BayTrust Charities Limited.
What investment stages does The Bay of Plenty Community Trust typically target?
The Trust targets early-stage venture through WNT Ventures, growth equity, and mature private equity via Pencarrow V. It also allocates to real asset funds with multi-year horizons.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The endowment originated from the 1996 sale of Trust Bank shares. Annual grant distributions have reached US$5.185 million in recent periods.
Does The Bay of Plenty Community Trust maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
BayTrust Charities Limited, formed in 2020, holds commercial property investments separately from grantmaking activities. The Dillon Scholarship operates as a distinct education vehicle within the same umbrella.
What is The Bay of Plenty Community Trust's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The Trust co-invests in aquaculture and renewable energy through Purpose Capital Syndicate alongside other New Zealand investors. It also holds positions in Australian Infrastructure Capital Group.
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