Trustee - Maerewhenua Trust

About the Maerewhenua Trust

The Maerewhenua Trust is a registered Charitable Trust founded in 1986. Its purpose is to encourage young people into the great outdoors so that they become passionate advocates for it. The Trust owns seven commercial properties and income from these properties is used to support the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC) and the Boys Brigade.

The Trust Board needs to function first and foremost as a governing body dealing primarily in matters of policy. In particular, the Board’s role is to:

• review the composition of the property portfolio.

• appoint, task and audit an executive property manager.

• appoint an auditor.

• review annual accounts and establish an annual budget.

• disburse grants.

Of these above roles, the first two are the most critical.

The Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC) appoints one of four Trustees to the Maerewhenua Trust on an annual basis. Being a Trustee is a great way to contribute to the work of FMC and supporting young people into the great outdoors.

Further information about the Trust can be found here and its rules are here.

Who we are looking for

FMC is looking to appoint one Trustee to the Maerewhenua Trust for a one year term starting in May 2026. This is an unpaid volunteer role.

While this is an annual appointment, FMC is conscious that stability of Board membership is important to the Trust and reappointment for further terms is likely for the right candidate.   

Trustees must:

• be suitably skilled, dedicated, and capable of effectively governing the Trust towards its mission.

• preferably live in Christchurch where the property portfolio is located.

• be a member of an FMC member club or association, or an individual supporter and be  familiar with FMC’s purpose and kaupapa.  

• have the experience, courage and wisdom required in the use of leveraged funds (mortgages) to increase the real wealth of the trust fund at a rate in excess of that of inflation.

• have the intuition and skill required to recognise, appoint and retain the right person to manage the property portfolio.

• be available to attend two meetings in Christchurch each year (May and November) and undertake associated actions

• provide regular updates to the FMC Executive

From time to time the Trust will be in a position to acquire a new property. This will require a specialised skill set that may require the involvement of a Trustee and/or property manager and/or real estate agent. It could therefore be beneficial to the Trust if a Trustee has, or knows people with, some familiarity with property management relevant to commercial buildings.

Please apply by email to sophie.tucker@fmc.org.nz by 23 January 2026.

Your application must include a cover letter outlining your suitability for the position, a short CV or profile, and two references one of which must be from an FMC member club.

For an optional confidential discussion before you apply you are welcome to contact FMC Executive Officer Sophie Tucker at sophie.tucker@fmc.org.nz or on 021 597709.