In our community

With a 150-year history in our community, we are mindful of our place alongside our neighbours and environs. We have the means to support organisations and causes within our community and we do – through financial contributions, in-kind support and our community containers.

During the 2023/24 year, we supported 60 organisations, through 121 active sponsorships. The cruise sector of our business also supports community sponsorships, through a cruise levy.

Our sponsorships target:

- Our harbour community

- Water-based sports

- Water safety

- Our kaimahi

Flagship sponsorships

Te Rauone Beach renourishment

Value: $3 million

Joint programme with the Dunedin City Council to restore and develop the Te Rauone beach (Port Otago project) and reserve (DCC project).

Port Chalmers Volunteer Fire Brigade

Value: $100,000 (towards the $250,000 project)

First-response vehicle and garage. Sponsorship supported by our cruise partners.

Port Chalmers Maritime Museum & Historical Society

Assumed responsibility and ownership of the Port Chalmers Maritime Museum building in 2020. In October 2024, the museum was re-opened after full refurbishment and the addition of a laneway/gallery. We are also contributing $20,000 annually for 10 years, to attract young people with an interest in maritime history to join the society.

Community containers

About 40 Port Otago community containers are now nestled in and around our wider Otago community. During the 2023/24 year, eight containers were distributed. The recipients were: Southern Football, Mountain Bike Otago, West Harbour Pony Club, Harbour Rugby Club, Port Chalmers Golf Club, Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre and Food Equity and Education Dunedin.

Warren Lewis Fishing Jetty

Value: Built in 2019 at cost of $1m

We also upgraded the associated track and parking, and installed public toilets.

Swim school

Value: $25k annually, since 2020

We pay for West Harbour primary schools’ swim lessons, involving about 400 children.

Iona Church

Value: $50,000

To upgrade the church's gallery balustrade.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Value: $25,000 annually (2023-25)

The funding is primarily towards Orokonui’s education programme. We also work with the ecosanctuary to facilitate its offering of tours to cruise passengers. Our sponsorship included the installation of two webcams.

Wildlife Hospital Trust

Own and pay ongoing costs of the Trust's wildlife ambulance.

In the past year, we also:

- Helped our Otago Navy Cadets by sourcing new marine radios and providing training on their use.

- Supplied 40 young football players from the Harbourside Junior Football Club with warm hoodies for training and pre-game warm-ups.

- Supplied Dunedin Maritime SAR Water Rescue with new marine radios and jackets.