Lake Taupō Forest Trust is committed to providing benefits and support to its owners and their uri through distributions, grants and other initiatives.
Each year, the Trustees review the Trust’s financial position, including forestry income, operating costs and reserve funds, before determining whether a distribution can be made to owners. Where distributions are approved, payments are calculated in accordance with the Trust Order, based on ownership interests in the respective land blocks.
Following the significant impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Trust’s forestry operations and revenue, distributions were paused in 2025 and remain on hold for 2026. The Trustees will continue to review the position annually, taking into consideration the Trust’s financial recovery and long-term sustainability.
While distributions remain paused, the Trust continues to provide financial support to owners and their uri through a range of grants and initiatives. These include education, kaumātua and tangihanga grants, alongside new and improved grants designed to extend support to more whānau at different stages of life.
To access these benefits, it is important that owners and their uri are registered with the Trust and that their information is kept up to date.
We understand that succession and registration processes are not always straightforward. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our Administration and Grants team at ownership@ltft.co.nz or 07 386 8839. We’re here to help point you in the right direction.
The Kōhanga Reo Capital Grant provides financial support to eligible kōhanga reo in the Tūrangi and Taupō rohe towards capital projects and improvements.
Eligibility
Te Kōhanga Reo located within the Tūrangi and Taupō rohe.
Grant amounts
$5,000 capital grant available to eligible kōhanga reo.
Applications
Applications are now open.
Please submit your application with details of the proposed project and associated costs.
Required documentation
Details of the proposed project.
Project costs.
If you need assistance, please contact our office on 07 386 8839 or email general@ltft.co.nz.
Click the Apply Now button below to complete the online application.
Lake Taupō Forest Trust offers education grants to support paid full-time study (0.8 – 1.0 EFTS) or paid part-time study (0.375 – 0.5 EFTS) for students enrolled at any NZ university, or any NZQA accredited learning institute such as colleges of education, polytechnics, institutes of technology, or other private training establishments (PTE).
Owners or beneficiaries of an owner studying in the following fields are encouraged to apply – environmental studies and te taiao, te reo Māori, finance, business management, law, science, engineering, forestry, information technology, GIS mapping, marketing, and health professions. The value of each grant is dependent on the total number of successful applications received each year.
Grants are now closed for 2026.
The Tertiary Forestry Scholarship is available for full-time study in a forestry management diploma or degree at either the University of Canterbury in Christchurch or Toi Ohomai Technical Institute in Rotorua. These recipients can be provided internships for the summer period.
The scholarship is valued at $10,000 for up to three recipients. For more information, please download the Forestry Scholarship Guidelines.
Applications open on 1st July and close on 31st August each year. Applications can be obtained from Forestry Course Directors at either the University of Canterbury or Toi Ohomai or through our office, please phone 07 386 8839.
The Kaumātua Grant is a one-off annual amount set by the Kaitiaki of the Lake Taupō Charitable Trust and is not retrospective. The value of this grant is $200.
The Kaumātua grant opens on 1st January each year. This is automatically paid to registered and eligible kaumātua. Please ensure you are fully registered with the Owner Services Team at 07 386 8839 or use the form below to update your details.
He Pūtea Aroha provides financial support towards tangihanga expenses following the passing of registered owners and their uri.
Eligibility
Registered owners of shares in Lake Taupō Forest Trust blocks, including those who have placed their shares into a Whānau Trust.
Uri who passed away on or after 1 July 2026. A qualifying uri is a person who has whakapapa to a current registered owner of shares in Lake Taupō Forest Trust.
Grant amounts
The amount available depends on whether the person who has passed away was a registered owner or uri, and their date of death.
$2,000 for registered owners who passed away before 1 January 2026.
$3,000 for registered owners who passed away on or after 1 January 2026.
$1,000 for eligible uri who passed away on or after 1 July 2026.
Applications
Please complete all sections of the form, including the details of the person who has passed away, your details as the applicant, and the bank account nominated to receive payment.
Required documentation
A copy of the death certificate.
A copy of the deceased person’s birth certificate.
A copy of the funeral director’s invoice.
Verified bank account details, such as a bank statement, stamped deposit slip or screenshot of online banking.
If you need assistance, please contact our office on 07 386 8839.
Click the Apply Now button below to complete the online application.
