Since it was established in 2008, the Plunket Foundation has invested in programs that support Plunket’s work with communities, with a focus on equity to ensure no child is left behind, and to keep our children safe and healthy.
There are children in New Zealand suffering from unacceptable health inequities. From Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), to rheumatic fever, and obesity.
Scientific research shows the greatest social good is achieved by investing in a child’s earliest years. From brain development to learning physical skills, to secure attachments that help children learn to love and trust others, to speech development - all happen in these first 1000 days.
As Plunket sees over 85% of all newborn babies in Aotearoa, we are is perfectly placed to make a difference in the type of care a child receives in those early years. That’s why the Plunket Foundation needs your help.
Funding
The Plunket Foundation receives funding through generous donations and gifts in wills. The role of the Foundation is to carefully look after and grow the endowment fund to support and enable projects for whānau āwhina Plunket that will improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealand children and families.
The Foundation has funded services and programmes such as Whirihia.
Whirihia is an ante-natal programme that enables Plunket to establish a trusting relationship early with whānau and connects them to the wider wraparound support services we provide.
Our fundraising activities
Plunket Foundation National Lottery
The Plunket Foundation Charitable Trust is holding its 2021 National Lottery in partnership with the Association of Boys Schools New Zealand and Whānau Āwhina Plunket.
Download your ticket order form
Check out the great prizes
Every $10 ticket gives you the chance to win from $250,000 in prizes – such as a Hyundai Ionic Elite electric car, a Haines Hunter SF485 sports fishing boat, e-bikes from Specialized and luxury travel packages to iconic New Zealand destinations. Generous sponsors have donated most of the prizes, so more of the proceeds will help New Zealand’s tamariki.
Funds raised will directly support Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s community services work with those children and families most in need.
Plunket Foundation 1000 Club
The Plunket Foundation 1000 Club is a group of committed supporters who play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of New Zealand’s disadvantaged children, especially in the areas of improving health outcomes for tamariki and whānau.
Membership requires a contribution of $10,000, which is payable over five years. Members have a dedicated relationship manager who can be contacted at any time.
The Foundation Trustees ‘walk the talk’ and are also contributing foundation members.
How you can help
If you’re interested in the Plunket Foundation’s work or the projects that it has helped fund please get in touch by emailing us at: philanthropy@plunket.org.nz
A gift, no matter the size, is a huge investment in the future of our tamariki, their whānau and our communities.
Together, we can give every child the very best start in life.
Plunket Foundation Trustees
The Plunket Foundation Board of Trustees is a voluntary group of dedicated individuals who give their time to oversee the work of our charity.
Professor Richie Poulton, CNZM, FRSNZ leads the famous Dunedin study, which is one of the most detailed studies ever of the human life-course. Richie maintains numerous national government and NGO advisory roles within New Zealand, including a role as the inaugural Chief Science Advisor to the Minister of Child Poverty Reduction (Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern).
Richie regularly provides international consultations on how to optimise child and youth development and promote population wellbeing. A self-confessed rugby and cricket fanatic, he enjoys following sport in his spare time. He is married to Sandhya and has one daughter Priyanka, who is studying at the University of Otago. Riche still has his Plunket book from 55+ years ago!
Raphael Yan (B.Com/LLB) is the Co-Founder of Artemis Capital Limited, a family office based in Auckland which manages public and private debt and equity investments. Raphael acts as a director or alternate director for several private companies and this office also manages a charitable trust portfolio. Prior to forming Artemis Capital, Raphael was a Vice President at Salomon Brothers/ Citigroup based in Hong Kong where he advised Australasian Corporate and Sovereign Debt Issuers.
During his time in the international capital markets, Raphael was a member of the HK Stock Exchange and the U.S. National Association of Securities Dealers. Raphael and his wife Eugénie have three children and have been beneficiaries of the services of Plunket NZ. Raphael and Eugenie are immensely grateful for the medical and social services provided to New Zealand parents and the fundamental importance of these to our changing community.
Henri Eliot is the Founder and CEO of Board Dynamics, author of the best-selling governance book ‘Board Shorts’ and part-time adjunct lecturer at the University of Auckland Global Studies Program. Henri is currently Chairman of Balle Bros Group, Dodson Motorsport and Plunket Foundation Trustee.
Henri received his LLB (Hons) from the University of London, his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from McGill University, his MBA from Richmond University, Master of Legal Studies from the University of Auckland and a master’s Level PgD in Entrepreneurship from the University of Cambridge. Henri is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and Associate Member of Arbitrators & Mediators Institute of New Zealand. Henri trained as a mediator at Harvard Law School.
Carol Becker (ONZM) has been involved with Plunket since 1987. Carol's initial role was at a local level, as sub-branch president and treasurer. In 1997 she was elected to the Plunket national board and became vice president in 2003. After four years as vice president she was elected to the role of president at the centenary conference in Dunedin. She served in this role until November 2011.
During Carol’s time as president, Plunket went through a governance review, which resulted in many positive changes. The increased relevance in society and the inclusion of independent board members were the two most important changes. After retiring as president, she worked full-time in an accounting office with her husband Russell and eldest son Kurt. They are owner operators of a rural transport and farming business. Carol and Russell have recently become first-time grandparents. They look forward to the same support for their daughter and grandson from Plunket that Carol enjoyed as a new mum.