OUR STORY

Connext is a charitable trust based in Gisborne with the purpose of leading and governing projects of regional significance with a focus on education and wellbeing of young people.

The Connext Trustees are local leaders representing the council, iwi, health, sport, education and business to support projects which will improve the health and wellbeing of Tairawhiti’s young people.

The Connext Trust is chaired by Andrew Cranston (Gisborne District Council), Paul Sadler (Gisborne Primary Principal's Association), Neil Smoker (Westpac), David Scott (Hauora Tairawhiti), Brent Sheldrake (Sport New Zealand) and Moera Brown (Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa).

The vision and the purpose of the Trust is to empower our young people to create healthier futures through education and activity. The Board and its manager will use their combined knowledge, expertise and connections to get projects with this purpose up and running to deliver tangible benefits for our community.

Connext acts as a vehicle for funding distribution. The Trust has robust, independent and transparent governance in place which provides sound leadership and direct access to key players in our community which will, in turn, give funders the confidence to invest.