Community & Education

In this category are the community development and community building projects and initiatives that we have lent to over recent years. 

Some of these community initiatives are about living together in community in sustainable and low-impact ways, others are about working together as a community to provide employment for community members and revitalise local communities.  Other initiatives are about providing support, information and services to specific community groups to build strength in those communities.

We have also provided a number of education loans to individuals and schools over the years (with the latter being primarily Steiner Schools but with some loans to Montessori schools as well on occasion)

Tui - Community Lifestyle

Surendra van Susteren has been building his own home at Tui Community in Golden Bay for the past 5 years. That home is now nearing completion and he approached us late last year for a loan to enable him to repay a personal loan he had used to finance it. more »

Havalona Trust

more »

Lower Hutt Women’s Centre

The Lower Hutt Women’s Centre was established in 1987 with support from the Hutt City Council. more »

Waiohiki Community Charitable Trust

This Charitable Trust was established by members of the small Waiohiki community just south of Taradale in the Hawkes Bay to promote bi-cultural economic and community development. more »

Traditional Arts & Crafts

We approved a loan to Louise Evans in mid-2004 to study traditional arts and crafts at a college in Sweden. more »

Te Ra School

When Te Ra Steiner School wanted to move to significantly larger premises in Raumati South on the Kapiti Coast. more »

Waikato Waldorf School

The Waikato Waldorf School is a large and well-developed Steiner school on the outskirts of Hamilton. more »