EVENTS

One of the most inspiring aspects of community-led philanthropy is witnessing what happens when a shared vision is met with people willing to say yes.

At the inaugural Impact100 Canterbury Grant Award Breakfast, held on 17 June at The George, Canterbury's philanthropic community came together to celebrate an important milestone. 

Hosted in partnership with JBWere, the morning culminated in the awarding of a transformational grant that will support local women, whānau and tamariki for years to come.
Founding members cast their votes following presentations from three outstanding finalists: Aviva, One Mother to Another, and Hoa Motuhake Sports Trust. Each presenting high-impact initiatives designed to strengthen communities across Canterbury. While only three organisations progressed to the final stage, the calibre of all 25 applications reflected the extraordinary work taking place throughout the region.

Impact100 Canterbury by the Numbers
• 75 local wāhine in attendance, alongside a number of valued male allies

• 34 pioneering founding members in 2025/26

• 25 grant applications received

• 4 dedicated committee representatives

• 3 outstanding finalist organisations

• 3 inspiring panellists

• 2 visionary co-founders

• 1 passionate ambassador

• 1 transformational grant of $27,000

Each finalist presented with remarkable passion, purpose and commitment, making the final vote no easy task. Impact100 Canterbury acknowledged the dedication shown by Aviva, One Mother to Another, and Hoa Motuhake Sports Trust, recognising the ongoing impact each organisation continues to have across the Canterbury community.

And the Grant Goes To...
Following member voting, Hoa Motuhake Sports Trust was awarded the inaugural $27,000 Impact100 Canterbury Major Grant. The funding will support 30 at-risk tamariki through mentoring and structured sports participation over the next two years.

Both Aviva and One Mother to Another also received grants of $2,500 to further support their important work within the community.

A Conversation That Inspired the Room
A highlight of the morning was a thoughtful panel discussion facilitated by Nicola Toki, associate partner at MSH Consulting and well known to many New Zealanders as the voice behind RNZ's Critter of the Week. Bringing warmth, humour and insight, Nicola guided an engaging conversation exploring the future of philanthropy and the strength of collective giving.

Joining her on the panel were Karen Hattaway, founder of Manu Restaurant, Gabrielle Boyd, HR Manager at Mike Greer Group, and Rebecca Inch, Project Coordinator at Seed the Change.
Karen reflected on the unique power women have to create meaningful change through philanthropy.

"With the world as crazy as it is, collective giving is so important right now. In New Zealand, as we see more of these specialist groups getting their funding cut, this is such a crucial time for women to stand together and do something for good. Women move mountains. I look over these wāhine toa here today and I think, 'Goodness me, you can feel the power and connection in the room, with new connections happening every moment. This is so beautiful.'"

The honesty, generosity and lived experience shared by each panellist resonated throughout the room, leaving attendees energised by what collective giving can achieve when communities unite behind a common purpose.

Supporting a Stronger Canterbury
Impact100 Canterbury also acknowledged the organisations helping make the initiative possible. Thanks were extended to major sponsor JBWere, The George for hosting the breakfast, Works and Seed the Change for sponsoring founding memberships, alongside the continued support of BNZ, Wilson & Dorset, The Crossing, Coffee Culture, and the Christchurch Archaeology Project.

The Beginning of Something Bigger
The inaugural grant round marks the beginning of what promises to become a significant philanthropic movement within Canterbury. 

Through the vision of Impact100 Canterbury, the generosity of its founding members, and the support of local businesses, dozens of Canterbury families will directly benefit from this year's funding.

As the organisation looks towards its next grant cycle, one thing is already clear: when a community comes together with purpose, collective giving has the power to create lasting change.

Cantabrian Magazine began the year in fitting style with an intimate culinary gathering at the Miele Experience Centre, where precision technology, exceptional food and thoughtful design came together for an evening that celebrated the art of entertaining well.

Hosted in the heart of the city, the evening welcomed CM guests into a space designed to be experienced rather than simply observed. The Miele Experience Centre is built around a simple idea: that the kitchen is the centre of the modern home, and when the tools are engineered to perform flawlessly, cooking becomes both creative and deeply enjoyable.

At the centre of the evening was chef Ciaran Cook, whose menu showcased seasonal ingredients and refined technique while demonstrating the precision capabilities of Miele appliances in action.

The evening began with creamy burrata paired with freshly made focaccia, warm and generous, immediately setting a relaxed and convivial tone. It was the kind of dish that invites guests to reach across the table, share, and begin the evening in conversation.

A highlight of the menu followed with sous-vide venison, prepared with remarkable accuracy thanks to Miele’s precision cooking technology. The venison arrived tender and deeply flavoured, accompanied by soaked garlic that added subtle sweetness and balance. It was a dish that perfectly illustrated how exact temperature control can elevate both texture and flavour.

Dessert brought the evening to a graceful close with a rhubarb finale that was bright, balanced and utterly memorable. Simple ingredients, executed beautifully, proving once again that thoughtful cooking often speaks louder than complexity.

Each course was served on the sculptural forms of Alchemist Table dinnerware by Temuka Pottery, grounding the evening in New Zealand craftsmanship and reinforcing the philosophy that beautiful objects enhance the rituals of daily life.

A special acknowledgement goes to Sue Pendergast, whose warmth, depth of knowledge and genuine passion for the brand elevated the evening. Informative and incredibly attentive, Sue ensured guests not only enjoyed the food but gained insight into the philosophy behind Miele’s world-renowned engineering.

The evening also carried a touch of Cantabrian magic. One lucky guest departed with their own piece from the Alchemist Table collection, a keepsake that will undoubtedly continue the story of the night around future tables.

For Cantabrian Magazine, the gathering represented more than a dinner. It was a reminder that exceptional living is often found in the details — thoughtful design, precise craftsmanship, and the simple pleasure of gathering people together around remarkable food.

For those curious to see it firsthand, the invitation remains open: step inside the Miele Experience Centre in Christchurch and experience the precision, design and innovation that make entertaining not only easier, but far more enjoyable.

Visit the Miele Experience Centre Christchurch 2 Cathedral Square, Christchurch, NZ, 8011

Thank you to our collaborators for this event:
Miele New Zealand
Temuka Pottery
Alchemist Table