Leaving a personal legacy

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.

La'auli Sir Michael Jones
Ambassador
Auckland Foundation
27 August 2025

The ability to leave a legacy is so important. It certainly drives me. Back in 1987, when I was given the privilege of wearing the All Blacks jersey for the first time, someone gave it to me. My responsibility was to think about what state that jersey would be in when I pass it on to the next generation, or the next person to pick up that mantle. So, I really wanted to make sure that I stewarded it while I had it, and then when I passed it on, it was even better than when I received it. The idea of legacy really drives me, and that's why I love being an Ambassador for the work of the Auckland Foundation, who are also in the legacy building business and help New Zealanders discover what their legacy can be.

The work of community foundations, like the Auckland Foundation, is a really good fit for me. I care about this place, I’m Auckland born and bred and passionate and loving the city, and think the work of the Auckland Foundation aligns with who I am, connecting and inspiring philanthropic givers and facilitating legacy building and living giving.

I think community foundations are a wonderful vehicle and I've seen the fruits of that in very real, meaningful ways in a lot of communities, and not only the not-for-profits that I've been involved with. The enable collaboration and the support of the village, and love and compassion of fellow New Zealanders (and potentially those from overseas). Great things can happen in philanthropy in the spirit of collaboration and when the power of stewarding what is given is optimised.

One thing I've learned from the last 30 years of working in the not-for-profit sector is that Kiwis are so compassionate. As an example, we run food banks that operate with no government money, entirely from philanthropic giving, and because of the gift of giving and that demonstration of real love and compassion, lives are definitely changing. We see that every day and it’s a privilege to be involved with this work.

September is Wills Month and it’s great to see this conversation growing about the legacy that Kiwis can leave behind.