Chairman’s Welcome

Welcome to our sixth annual report since our establishment in 2017.

A big focus for Hugo this year has been on housing, with significant donations to Mission Home Ground in Auckland, the St Vincent de Paul Pavitt Street Housing Project in Christchurch, and Hawthorndale Care Village in Invercargill. The Hugo House at Lake Hayes continues to be popular with many families and groups enjoying a holiday in Central Otago. Thank you to the many friends and contacts, notably the Cancer Society, who have referred people to the Hugo House, meaning the house is seldom empty.

From time to time, mother nature reminds us of our place here on earth. The start of 2023 saw heavy flooding in Northland and Auckland, followed closely by Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused widespread destruction to the upper half of the North Island. While we can’t control the weather, we can build strong and resilient communities that stand with one another during times of crisis. Across the regions, workers, volunteers, and charitable organisations have rallied to support each other to restore services and start the cleanup. The stress on the people most affected will mean considerable support from the government, and community organisations will be needed for some time. Hugo has donated to the Rural Support Trust, which we feel is well-placed to assist those affected in regional New Zealand. We will also look closely for other opportunities to help as they arise.

Since our establishment in 2017, we have maintained our capital base at $75m. The Trustees are grateful to The Hugh Green Family Trust and Owens Properties Ltd, who have paid all our administrative costs, allowing us to donate the total income our investments earn to the charities we support.

Finally – thank you to our founder, Maryanne Green, who established the Hugo Charitable Trust to continue the philanthropy of her father, Hugh Green. Thank you also to our CEO Aoibheann Monaghan, and the Trustees for another successful year of giving.

Mark Owens
Chair & Trustee