A city built on generosity

WILLS MONTH BLOG SERIES

In the lead up to September Wills Month we are sharing thought pieces from our network of member Foundations and supporters.

Tāmaki Makaurau is a city built on generosity

Melody Mobsby
CEO
Auckland Foundation
4 August 2025

You see it in parks and playgrounds shaped by community champions. In scholarships that carry young people through school and university. In cultural spaces that tell our stories. In trust funds quietly supporting foodbanks, counselling, education, and the arts – year after year.

You see it in the way Sir John Logan Campbell gifted Cornwall Park, creating one of the city’s most iconic green spaces to be held in trust ‘for all New Zealanders.’ Or how Arthur Myers transformed a central city gully into Myers Park, complete with one of the first free kindergartens in Aotearoa; all funded through personal bequest.

Behind much of what helps Tāmaki Makaurau thrive, you’ll find legacy giving.

These are gifts that don’t always make headlines but make a lasting difference. They come from people thinking not just about today, but about tomorrow – the city their grandchildren will grow up in, the opportunities they want to share with others, and the values they want to live on into the future.

Legacy giving is often a simple act such as a clause in a will, a conversation with whānau or a decision to set something aside for the benefit of others. But the impact is anything but small.

These gifts create long-term funding for causes that shape lives – education, environment, health, equity and inclusion. They’re also deeply personal. Every legacy gift tells a story of gratitude, commitment, and belief in community.

Auckland is growing and changing. So are the needs of our people and our place. Legacy giving offers an opportunity not just to respond, but to plan; to help organisations dream bigger, act bolder, and keep going long after project-based funding ends.

We’re at a generational turning point. In the years ahead, Aotearoa will experience the largest transfer of wealth in its history. Much of it will pass through Auckland. If even a small portion supports long-term giving, the effect could be transformational; a permanent resource for our region.

Imagine permanent funds supporting early learning, climate resilience, cultural expression, or community-led housing. Legacy giving provides stability, and with it, the freedom to innovate, take risks, and grow.

It also starts meaningful conversations: What do we value? What kind of future do we want for Auckland? How can we leave behind something that reflects who we are?

Legacy giving doesn’t require great wealth. It starts with intent; to care, to act, and to contribute to something beyond ourselves. The impact may unfold quietly, but it lasts. In a stronger community, a greener city, or a new opportunity made possible for someone else. Legacy giving helps shape the kind of city Tāmaki Makaurau can become.

Auckland Foundation is excited to be a part of this future, and to connect with generous donors in our region to shape their giving. If this sounds like you, please reach out to our team here.