Toi Ohomai Donates Christmas Party Funds to KŌ Kollective Trust

Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Leon Fourie hands over cheque to Ōpōtiki’s KŌ Kollective Trust.

Tuesday, 02 Feb 2021

Empowering people to be the best they can be is the core of Ōpōtiki’s KŌ Kollective Trust. 

The trust has just received a $4,500 boost thanks to the staff at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, which will enable the trust to reach more people in the community. 
 
KŌ Kollective is a social movement that continues the previous mahi of grandmothers and mothers – enabling and empowering people to dream, activate and actualise their full potential.

Most recently they have become involved with local kura to affect change from within by developing a leadership programme for senior students that is also aimed at reducing truancy.

Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Dr. Leon Fourie said the money was raised from ticket sales to the Institute’s Christmas Party which was held in December. The money was officially handed over to KŌ Kollective at a function at the Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus last week. 

“We chose to donate the proceeds from our Christmas Party to KŌ Kollective because we believe in the great mahi they do across Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne and beyond,” Dr. Fourie said.

“Toi Ohomai is proud to support the wider Bay of Plenty and South Waikato areas and this is part of our commitment to strengthen those communities.

“We believe in the mahi KŌ Kollective strives to achieve. They are a true community organisation which is trying to improve the outcomes for youth in our rohe. This makes them a great partner for Toi Ohomai as we work towards a shared vision for our communities.” 

KŌ Kollective Trust Executive Chair Shannon Hanrahan said the money provided by Toi Ohomai would assist in expanding the reach and scope of its community korero engagement work across the Ōpōtiki district.

“We are thankful to all the staff at Toi Ohomai for the heartfelt donation. This financial support helps us greatly towards our goal of meeting with every whānau in our community to begin a journey to dream a collective vision for the future of Ōpōtiki.”

“Identifying, activating, and growing the untapped potential of our greatest assets – the people of Ōpōtiki – is a key focus for KŌ Kollective Trust. We look forward to working with Toi Ohomai to assist local Ōpōtiki people on their journey to reach their best and fullest potential.”