Central Lakes Trust (CLT) is a charitable trust that grants funds for charitable purposes within the Central Lakes district. The district comprises the area of its original benefactor; Otago Central Electric Power Trust, spanning most of both Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes.

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CLT is one of the largest philanthropic trusts per capita in the Southern Hemisphere. Its purpose is to ensure it can be available over time to help support charitable projects throughout Central Lakes; to enhance the community and the lives of the people within.

Since inception in November 2000 CLT has grown its asset base from the $155 million settled by the Otago Central Electric Power Trust to assets totalling $459 million, as at FYE 31 March 2023. 

CLT is the proud owner of Pioneer Energy, which comprises approximately 39% of its assets, while the remainder is made up of a diversified portfolio of investments including a range of national and international investments, in three asset classes:

  • Growth assets (Australasian shares, global shares, property and private equity);

  • Alternative assets (primarily global infrastructure investments);

  • Income assets (NZ bonds, cash and housing loans);

together valued at $459 million at the 31 March 2023.

CLT has a percentage of funds invested in social impact investments; which in addition to a rate of return offer significant benefit to the community. CLT continues to proactively seek these opportunities.

CLT’s mission is to enhance assets and enrich lives to fulfil our vision to make the community a better place.

We strive to be an innovative, solution-focused organisation, proactively addressing the changing charitable needs of our region in collaboration with our stakeholders and our communities.

We endeavour to ensure we are well positioned to maintain our fund in perpetuity and respond to future challenges. We are committed to making smart decisions that will protect and grow our investments, as well as continuing to play a pivotal role in the long-term future of our communities.

We have distributed more than $137.7 million (FYE 31 March 2023) in grants into a wide range of charitable community projects and services throughout the Central Lakes area.

As a Charitable Trust, unlike community trusts, CLT can only fund organisations who are registered with Charities Services, Educational providers, Regional and Territorial Authorities, and the programme or project must have a charitable purpose. The extent of community benefit determines the funding level.