Robyn scott’s annual general meeting speech

Delivered by Robyn Scott, Acting CEO of Philanthropy New Zealand at the 2025 AGM at the Philanthropy Conference on Thursday 5th March 2026.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. 

It is a privilege to stand here today—one I do not take lightly. Being invited back into this space, and into this role, is something I hold with deep gratitude. I also want to acknowledge openly that the recent past has been a little bumpy. Transitions often are. But today is not about looking back with defensiveness or regret. It is about looking back with purpose. 

There is a whakataukī that has been guiding my thinking: Ka mua, ka muri—we walk backwards into the future. We face the past so that it can inform, guide, and shape what comes next. 

And so, before we talk about the future of Philanthropy New Zealand, I want to honour where we have come from. 

Honouring Our Origins 

Philanthropy New Zealand was formed in 1980. Our very first objective was clear and bold: to advance and protect the common interests of private and corporate philanthropy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside that sat a second intention: to foster cooperation between philanthropic trusts and individual and corporate donors throughout the country. 

Those founding aspirations—unity, cooperation, shared purpose—were not accidental. They were deliberate. They were visionary. And they remain profoundly relevant today. 

In my short time back in this role, I’ve heard a lot about what divides our different “tribes”—our structures, our histories, our philosophies, our language. But when I look around this room, I see something far more important: we are all here because we want a thriving Aotearoa. That is our common ground. That is our shared purpose. 

Whether we call ourselves philanthropists, grantmakers, funders, givers, or something else entirely—those are semantics. They should not hold us back. They should not distract us. They should not define us. 

If we walk backwards into the future, as the whakataukī reminds us, then let us walk back to the place where our unity mattered more than our differences. Let us remember why Philanthropy NZ was created in the first place. 

Our Context Today 

We are operating in a world that feels increasingly volatile. Global uncertainties—economic instability, geopolitical tensions, climate disasters, rapid technological disruption—shape the environment in which we work. 

Here in Aotearoa, philanthropy is evolving in response to rising community needs and shifting expectations. We remain one of the most generous nations in the world. Platforms like Givealittle processed more than $33 million in donations in FY2024, a testament to the generosity embedded in our culture. Community foundations are growing as people seek to support local, grassroots, intergenerational impact. 

We are also on the cusp of the largest wealth transfer in our history—an estimated $1.6 trillion by 2050. Yet bequests currently make up only 1.3% of charitable income. That gap represents not a challenge, but an extraordinary opportunity. 

At the same time, funders and community organisations are grappling with rising inequality, a housing crisis, climate impacts, and stretched social services. These pressures are pushing us toward more equity-focused, systems-change approaches—toward collaboration, co-design, and centring the voices of those most affected. 

Globally, the philanthropic environment is shifting too. The 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index shows improvements in ease of operation and tax incentives. Funders are embracing impact investment, AI-assisted grantmaking, and new models of collective action. 

This is a dynamic, maturing sector—anchored in generosity, driven by local solutions, and adapting to meet the challenges of our time.   There are many diverse actors in the sector – there is much we can do by overcoming our natural reticence to collaborate and to see differences – let’s try to build alliances!  

Philanthropy NZ’s Role 

Our strategic purpose is simple and powerful: to celebrate and grow effective giving. 

That means championing effective practice. Growing giving. Promoting transparency. Sharing knowledge and decision-making. Supporting both large-scale philanthropy and collective giving. And ensuring that generosity remains central to a thriving civil society. It mean working with and walking alongside others that also share the intents we have.   

Working together—while walking alongside tangata whenua—we can build foundations for a future that is thriving, fair, and inclusive. A future we can be proud to hand to the next generation. 

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond 

The year ahead is a pivotal one for Philanthropy New Zealand. 

In 2026, we are  listening deeply—to the diverse voices, priorities, and ambitions of our members and partners. As the peak body for philanthropy and grantmaking, we must lead with integrity and courage. We must help the sector not just feel comfortable, but become better and bolder in how we give, who we include, and what we achieve. 

This is why 2026 will be the year of our Strategy Refresh, building on the 2025 member survey and our established direction. Your ideas, your aspirations, your challenges, and your hopes will help shape the future of this organisation. 

And in March 2026, here at our national conference—“Reimagining Our Future: People, Place, Purpose”—we are invited  to consider what philanthropy must become in a rapidly changing Aotearoa. The whakataukī guiding the conference, Kia pariparinga te tai ka monenehu te kura—when the tide is pristine and clear, its shimmering beauty becomes revealed—reminds us that clarity creates possibility. When we clear away the noise, the divisions, the semantics, the beauty of our collective purpose becomes visible again. 

A Call to Unity and Renewal 

I stand here with humility, gratitude, and anticipation.  I’m also an Honorary member of Philanthropy NZ – I’m pretty invested in seeing this flourish. Philanthropy NZ was established by leaders of immense vision—Sir Roy McKenzie, Sir John Todd, John Sutherland, and the Public Trust. They understood that generosity is not just an act; it is an ecosystem. It requires connection, collaboration, and courage. 

There is another whakataukī that feels fitting today: Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi—as the old net withers, the new net goes fishing. 

This is not about discarding the past. It is about renewing it. Strengthening it. Reimagining it. Together. 

If we dig deep, if we plan boldly, if we focus on what unites us rather than what divides us, then the future of Philanthropy NZ—and the future of giving in Aotearoa—will be bright, resilient, and transformative. 

We walk backwards into the future. And we walk there together. 

Ngā mihi nui.