Impact100 Wakatipu winners

Southern Lakes Sanctuary and the Whakatipu Rowing Club are the recipients of the two $100,500 Impact100 Wakatipu grants this year.

Southern Lakes Sanctuary will use the funds to protect the takahe which are planned to be released into the Rees Valley in early 2025, following the success of the release of 28 birds into the Greenstone Valley in 2023.

The funds will be used to build the 'Impact100 turk' (outback hut) and to help with ongoing monitoring and pest eradication work.

Whakatipu Rowing Club is replacing its current space and creating a new community asset on the shore of Lake Hayes. The new building will include community meeting rooms, showers and bathrooms, training facilities and boat storage for the club and other water sports.

The vision for this building is that it will become home for those who use the lake, and those who are working hard to restore the water quality of Lake Hayes.

"With our 2024 funds, this brings us to a total of $897,500 donated in five years with eight local charities receiving major grants, and a further 13 receiving $65,000 in smaller donations," chair Clare Irons told Impact100 Wakatipu members.

"These are big numbers, achieving big things, and all thanks to you. Your donations create ripples of impact through our community, from conservation to preservation, and from community wellness to food rescue."

The winners were announced last week, to an audience of 150 women and a handful of men.

Irons is also calling for donations to the three other finalists, Glenorchy Trails Trust, ADL and Citizens Advice Centre Queenstown.

Next year, Impact100 Wakatipu will pass the $1 million mark. Full registrations and donations will be open from 1 January until 30 April, 2025, for anyone who wants to get involved.