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impact of YOUR SUPPORT

NOTES OF THANKS FROM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Thank You From scholarship acceptance to a career â€“ you make the world of difference for all our deserving scholarship recipients. Your sponsorship impacts students every single day. Your generosity provides experiences and opportunities that enrich their study outside of the classroom. From the moment a student joins the Keystone Trust programme, to the day they walk across the graduation stage, they feel you and your team cheering them on.

OLIVIA HEIGHTON - 2016 PROPERTY MARKETING COORDINATOR PRECINCT PROPERTIES

Thank you for selecting me back in 2015 to be a part of the Keystone family. Back then, I could have never imagined the positive extent this very special group has had on me, my university journey and now my career in the property industry.

Thank you for using your sponsorship to show Keystone Trust students you believe in them, their future, and the impact they will one day have on the world.

BEN GABOLINSCY 2016, QUANTITY SURVEYOR, HAWKINS

Keystone to me has been many different things at different times; it has been a loving supportive family and it has also been a harsh whip motivating me to get my assignments in on time.

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION Keystone lifts aspirations of a whole community Moalapau’u Maka, intermediate planner with Auckland Council, received a Keystone Trust Study Award in 2013 and believes the experience it gave her was second to none. “What is special about the Keystone Trust award to me is that it provided me with more than just financial support,” says Moala.

“I had no idea about urban planning nor about Keystone

“Through Keystone I was able to access internships, receive

Trust back in 2013. At that stage in my life, I had no solid

mentoring, provide mentoring, make awesome friends, have

career plan nor a path I possibly wanted to take in the

access to networking with other professionals in the industry.

future,” said Maxine.

I felt so supported by the Keystone team and this just made me want to work even harder in my studies.” However, perhaps the most significant impact that has come from Moala’s exposure to the Keystone Trust progamme is the lifting of aspirations of those in her family and Tongan community. It is with pride that we welcomed Moala’s

“It wasn’t until Moala opened the door to urban planning for me and I discovered what role planners play in a community that I saw my future-self in that position.” Maxine is the youngest in her immediate family, however she was raised alongside her younger cousins.

second cousin, Maxine Kaihau, who will be studying at the

“I am the second grandchild in my family to go to university,”

University of Auckland for a Bachelor of Urban Planning, onto

said Maxine.

the 2020 programme.

“It’s extremely important to me that I complete this journey in respect to my ancestors and elders, but also as an example for my younger siblings and community to follow – I want to make graduating from university the new “normal”. Moala was very excited when she heard Maxine was a recipient of a 2020 Keystone Trust Study Award “Not only will Maxine be working towards a career within the industry, but she will also receive the same support that I received from Keystone during my time in university. With Maxine receiving the award I feel that more people in our community will be aware of potential careers within the property industry and the opportunities that Keystone Trust has to offer, which is really encouraging.” ■

STRENGTH IN LASTING RELATIONSHIPS Stride is committed to supporting the property industry’s future Stride Property Group (previously known as DNZ) has been a proud sponsor of Keystone New Zealand Property Education Trust for more than a quarter of a century. Our partnership is built on shared values and a desire to build a better future for young New Zealanders. In 2017, Blake Cooper from Bream Bay College (decile 3) was

“The connection between Keystone Trust and Stride Property

selected as a Keystone Trust student and through one of our

is very beneficial for all students in the Trust. It provides a

networking events was introduced to Andrew Hay, General

great opportunity to learn about the property industry, in a

Manager Commercial & Industrial. From this meeting, Blake

positive and friendly environment. I’m very grateful for the

had an interview with Andrew, and was offered a part time

opportunity because it has helped me with both university

position at Stride Property while he completed his studies.

and working towards my career goals,” said Blake.

Two years later, Blake has graduated from The University of Auckland’s Bachelor of Property Degree and is still very proudly working at Stride Property as an Assistant Property Manager in the Commercial & Industrial team.

But it is not just a one-way relationship, says Philip Littlewood, CEO. “We believe in putting our support behind the industry and by partnering with Keystone Trust we can do just that. We learn a lot from the students we employ and from the social aspect, Keystone allows us networking opportunities to meet with industry leaders and peers in a non-competitive setting so we can build stronger networks and relationships.” Without the backing of Stride and all Keystone’s sponsor and stakeholder family, the Trust wouldn’t be able to provide these opportunities to our students, which enables them to become some of the most committed property and construction graduates in our industry. ■

THE POWER OF GIVING BACK Tamati Parker, Scholarship recipient 2002 Director - C3 Construction • Trustee - Keystone Trust “My days started at Lytton High School in Gisborne and looking back I had no clue what was to come. The most I knew about the construction sector was labouring for my Dad on a building site and I knew that wasn’t going to be for me. “Fortunately, I had a great careers advisor, Craig Wilkie, who saw more potential in me than I probably saw in myself. I remember Craig saying to me “set your sights higher and make yourself some goals” I had been trying to escape from my situation back home with my parents splitting up when I was young and four younger siblings to look out for. My Nan was sick, so as the eldest son, I was packed off to look after her. I was a bit of a survivor, I was also pretty independent back then, taking off to Raglan or Dunedin and sleeping on couches was a pretty normal weekend.

Unitec. I was always being told “You are capable of anything” and I found out I was. Keystone were right behind me all the

“Anyhow Craig’s words stuck, and to my surprise I graduated

way. Jumping to today I am director of C3 Construction, a firm

from school as one of their top students. With Craig’s input I

I established with two other business colleagues. We are a

had filled out my Keystone scholarship application and this is

growing construction company and I am now in a position

when everything changed.

to employ Keystone Trust alumni. We have just taken on a

“The next I knew I was in Auckland, for the first time in my life, going up to a fancy office in the Sun Alliance building and

young quantity surveyor into the team who was a student back in 2016.

meeting ten high-flyers, who were the Keystone selection

Earlier this year Tamati was approached by trustees Greg

panel. Mum had told me to always shake hands and I made

Pritchard and Mike Higgins to invite him to join the board of

sure I did. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, just super pumped at

trustees.

being there. When I returned to Gisborne, I got the call, I had the scholarship, Awesome!

“Looking back, I can see the difference Keystone Trust made to my life, they inspired me to reach those goals I

“This is where the Keystone support system kicked in, uni

had set with Craig. I look up to all the students that went

days started at Wintec in Hamilton. With a strength for

before me, and the people that I have met through these

numbers I fell into Quantity Surveying. Then with the support

networks are now some of my best mates. Its inspiring

of my mentors at Keystone came a move to Auckland,

to see how the organisation has grown and now, it’s my

working as cadet for Multiplex, and finishing my studies at

turn to give back.” ■

THE DOUBLE BENEFIT OF SUPPORTING KEYSTONE TRUST Warren and Mahoney became sponsors in 2016 and are one of four architectural firms who sponsor Keystone Trust. Over their time as a sponsor, Warren and Mahoney have

For Arch, it is the site visits which really excite him about the

been huge supporters hosting and attending numerous

involvement.

events, organised site visits and taken up the opportunity to mentor students.

“I enjoy the site visits. They’re in the sweet spot of what we do as a sponsor. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to show

When asked about how Warren and Mahoney view the

people what we do. To take students through a site under

relationship, Arch (Richard Archbold, Principal) discussed the

construction is a unique experience. It’s much more special

value of mentorship, cross discipline collaboration and the

for them than it is for us so it’s nice to be reminded of just

wide-ranging benefits of a Keystone sponsorship

how much it is through their eyes.”

“What is that investment? It’s access for people in our firm

He went on to add that site visits added significant value to

who have leadership potential to practice and deliver that

both his company and the students. “While we are doing

leadership through something like mentorship, for example.

the site visit as architects, it’s a great reminder to future

To get the double benefit of giving something back in a way

construction professionals that the process is one that

that develops your own people is a real win.”

involves all these different people and disciplines and that’s no clearer than when you’re standing on site.” “I think that’s a kind of hidden gem of what Keystone offers – for students to actually go through their studies in parallel with people from other disciplines is really powerful.” For Warren and Mahoney, the investment in supporting young people who wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to study at university or to thrive in a career they never thought possible, is what makes it all worthwhile. ■

HOW DOES THE TRUST WORK?

OUR STUDENTS TODAY Our student intake has grown from two in 1995 to 43 in 2020. Each year applications grow as we invite secondary

Every year, our sponsors support outstanding students with

school students from around New Zealand who meet our

financial and circumstantial need. Your financial assistance

eligibility criteria to apply for a Study Award. In addition, we

ensures we continue to create the future leaders of the

now work with tertiary institutions to target students to

property industry both nationally and globally.

apply for our KSP scholarships.

How does the Trust fund its activities?

Number of applications

59% Keystone Sponsors 31% Events – including the Rugby Lunch 8% Endowment fund income 2% Philanthropy

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Study Awards

119

103

KSP

104

207

144

167

221

In 2020, we awarded 11 Study Awards and 9 KSP scholarships. Our alumni have grown to 164 graduates who have built the professionalism of the industry both nationally

The Trust endowment fund was established in 1994.

and internationally.

With careful management and some private donations, this

Who are our students?

investment is growing. To support more students, we need to build this fund up which will enhance the funds provided

60% Male

40% Female

by our sponsors.

Endowment fund growth

Ethnicity ■ 52% NZ European ■ 25% Pasifika

2015

■ 9% Asian ■ 9% Māori ■ 4.5% Other

2016 2017 2018

Where are our students studying?

2019 $0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

$2,500,000

How does the Trust use these funds?

70%

to scholarships, student activities and travel, workshops, food, regular communications and visits, supporting, coaching and advising students, managing scholarship processes

30% event costs and sponsor engagement

What are our students studying?

AUT

ENGINEERING

UNITEC

ARCHITECURE

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

CONSTRUCTION

MASSEY UNIVERSITY

PROPERTY

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON

SURVEYING

UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

URBAN PLANNING

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

The stories in this year’s impact report are a powerful expression of how the Trust has changed a life – and sometimes, in the case of our legacy families, multiple lives. With the support of you, our sponsors and donors, the Trust was able to improve our students’ lives for the better, and thanks to you, we will continue to do so. This past year has seen many changes at the Trust, yet we continue to grow, and we are pleased to have such dedicated students growing with us. This report provides a brief snapshot of the Trust’s many activities over the course of the past year. In 2019, the Trust distributed $147,000 to students – this invaluable

Message of thanks from the Chairman, Greg Pritchard

assistance was made possible through your support. In telling the Trust’s story, the preceding pages look at how your gifts have been spent, demonstrate how you have directly helped the Trust and underscore how your faith in our students has helped them accomplish their goals. Every student story is worth hearing. The next time your experience with Keystone comes to mind, I encourage you to speak up and share your story. Share it with your friends, neighbours and colleagues, or share it with us directly at info@keystonetrust.org.nz or via social media. On behalf of the trustees and students, and our team, thank you again for your support, your dedication and your advocacy of the Trust throughout the year.

Greg Pritchard Chairman

OUR SPONSOR FAMILY KEY SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERS