LTFT Trustees declare an annual distribution at the end of March each year, after detailed consideration of income and forestry reserves.

Income is distributed under a formula contained in the Trust Order based on the area of blocks and shares in blocks.

The Trust also makes annual grants to Hapu named in the Trust Order.

The Tangihanga Fund started on 1 April 2000. Its Trustees are LTFT Trustees. Through the Fund they provide grants to assist whanau with expenses for tangihanga for owners who have passed away.

When owners in Trust land blocks register with the Trust, cover is arranged for them. Even when an owner places shares in a Whanau Trust, we can still arrange cover.

Applications are promptly processed at the Trust's Turangi office. For any enquiries about the fund, registration and applications - contact us.

The Lake Taupo Charitable Trust (LTCT) administers funds for Maori community charitable purposes that benefit Lake Taupo Forest Trust beneficiaries. These purposes include:

• the promotion of health, social, cultural, and economic welfare
• provision of grants for education

All LTCT & Grants enquiries - contact us

As a means to enhance Ngati Tuwharetoa economic development, LTCT provides educational and training grants to those in fields of expertise that will benefit the Iwi.

In 2005 the Kaitiaki introduced a phase-out period for Scholarships.  That concluded scholarships in 2007; we continue to explore further options in this area.

Applications for 2009 are now available.  These may be obtained by contacting the office. Close-off date is Tuesday 30th June 2009.

Cultural Grants
LTCT provides assistance for Ngati Tuwharetoa cultural programmes that may benefit the beneficial owners and/or their descendants.

Te Roopu Taiopenga o Tuwharetoa

The Charitable Trust continues to provide this committee financial support.  This two day event has become more popular than ever amongst the schools and its communities.  Performing groups commit to practices early in the year to attend the festival.  This is one of the significant events for Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Ngati Tuwharetoa Whare Wananga / Te Matua tu Taua Wananga
LTCT support both wananga for the protection, promotion and learning of Ngati Tuwharetoa tikanga, wairua and kaupapa.

Sports Grants
LTCT administers sporting grants to the beneficial owners and their descendants who have achieved national and international representation in their various fields of sport.

Kaumatua Assistance Grants

In December 2007 the Kaitiaki implemented policy changes to this grant as follows:

Registered beneficial owners of the Lake Taupo Forest Trust aged 70 years old or over at the end of 28th February in that year;

Any beneficial owners turning 70 or newly registering after February 2009 will be entitled to apply in the 2010 calendar year.

Kuia & Koroua
LTCT provide funds toward a Hui held in the rohe provided invitations are all inclusive. Travel assistance is also available for individuals or groups that attend Hui of significance to Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Korowai Awhina o Nga Hapu Marae o Ngati Tuwharetoa
This was established in March 1998 to provide a collective improvement programme with a long-term aim of lifting all Tuwharetoa marae to agreed standards within ten years. These marae representatives continue to meet quarterly to communicate and address a variety of issues to help each other. LTCT provides an administrative service for this forum.

Korowai Hauora o Nga Hapu o Ngati Tuwharetoa
This initiative was recently launched in 2003 by representatives of Tuwharetoa marae. This is a collective programme with the long term aim of promoting health, and promoting communication about health issues, amongst Ngati Tuwharetoa. Again LTCT provide administrative services.

Presently; the Kaitiaki have suspended this project until a full review has been completed.  The Charitable Trust is considering restructuring this project due to the limited attendance at the scheduled Hui.  This will be communicated in the near future.