Ian Crabtree Trust
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Ian's Life
Ian Maxwell Crabtree (1928 – 2002)
Ian Crabtree packed a lot of life into his 74 years. He had an enormous capacity for friendship and a lively interest in people.
He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and was involved in many organisations and societies. He also
went to a wide range of public lectures that reflected his interests in religion, social policy, science, literature, and art.
Although never marrying and having children of his own, he was a much-loved uncle of his nieces and nephews and took a
great interest in young people: their hopes, struggles, and achievements.
Ian was born in Morrinsville in Waikato and spent his early years in Hamilton with his parents and two younger sisters.
When he was nine, the family moved to Auckland and he later attended Auckland Grammar School.
Committed to his career
As an engineer with a lifelong interest in safety and training in the electricity industry, Ian is credited with saving many lives
through his electrical safety initiatives.
He studied at the Auckland University College and the National School of Engineering, Canterbury, graduating in 1951 with a
BE (Elect.). In 1956-57 he was awarded a Confederation of British Industries Scholarship, allowing him to get work experience
in the United Kingdom. He traveled by ship, earning a return voyage by working as an onboard engineer.
His valuable contribution to the power industry was recognised in 2001 when the Electricity Engineers’ Association of New
Zealand awarded him their meritorious service award, following his 50 years of professional work.
A man of deep faith
Ian was a member of the Wesley Methodist Church in Wellington’s Taranaki Street from the 1950s, but his Christian
involvement was not confined to the Methodist denomination: he was a familiar face in other inner-city churches, too.
The Sea of Faith and the Ephesus Group were significant communities for him, in which he met with others equally committed
to finding relevant, contemporary expressions of Christianity. He brought a lively and rigorous inquiry to his religious
expression and served on many church boards and committees.
At Ian’s funeral, Methodist minister Rev Dr. Jim Stuart said, “I shall remember him as the kind of Christian who embodied the
best of being a Methodist: a warm heart, an inquisitive mind, an open and inclusive spirit, a seeker of truth, and an endearing
sense of humour”.
Ian gave greatly to his community
Ian had a wide range of interests and concerns in his local community: he was a member of Rotary for many years, served as
treasurer for the Marriage Guidance Council in the 1960s was a member of the Karori Historical Society in the suburb where
he lived, and his voluntary work at Zealandia reflected his deep love of nature and tramping.
Travel
Work took Ian to many interesting places. He didn’t take holidays for the sake of having them but looked for educational
opportunities combined with travel – including summer academies organised by English universities, or study tours such as
one with Sir Lloyd Geering to the Middle East.
The arts
Ian was involved in various organisations associated with the arts. He sang in the Wesley Church Choir as well as the Orpheus
Choir of Wellington, New Zealand’s premier symphonic choir.
When Ian became ill in 2001 it motivated him to press on with a personal project that he was saving for his retirement – a
monograph on his uncle Maxwell Billens Rudd, a gifted and promising poet who died in his 20s. Here are two of Maxwell’s
poems featured in Ian’s book, All Things Bright and Beautiful*.
BLOSSOM
Blossom of the orchard hung
In the early Summer weather,
O so soft, and O so soft,
Like a cloud and like a feather,
Thou art not so fragile – fair
As my love – a sigh might waft her
Through the lovely Summer air –
Call her, blossom, hist her – after,
She will answer with her rare
Laughter, blossom, laughter.
In the early Summer weather,
O so soft, and O so soft,
Like a cloud and like a feather,
Thou art not so fragile – fair
As my love – a sigh might waft her
Through the lovely Summer air –
Call her, blossom, hist her – after,
She will answer with her rare
Laughter, blossom, laughter.
24 December 1923, Auckland
As published in Right Review, No. 5, January 1938, [16]
As published in Right Review, No. 5, January 1938, [16]
MIRI
Little Miri’s lips are red
Like pohutukawa flowers,
Blossoms twin and blossoms wed,
Laughing through the laughing hours.
Like pohutukawa flowers,
Blossoms twin and blossoms wed,
Laughing through the laughing hours.
When pohutukawa bloom
Mantles early, ‘tis a sign
Winter seeks an early tomb,
Summer will be long and fine.
Mantles early, ‘tis a sign
Winter seeks an early tomb,
Summer will be long and fine.
Where is Winter? Who shall strike
Bells for his bereaved hours?
Miri’s little lips are like
Red pohutukawa flowers!
Bells for his bereaved hours?
Miri’s little lips are like
Red pohutukawa flowers!
Date unknown
As published in Right Review, No. 4, September 1937, [11]
As published in Right Review, No. 4, September 1937, [11]
* All Things Bright and Beautiful: The life of Maxwell Billens Rudd
A brief account by Ian Maxwell Crabtree
© Helen Laurenson 2003
A brief account by Ian Maxwell Crabtree
© Helen Laurenson 2003
Copies available from:
6B Atherton Rd
Epsom
Auckland 1023
6B Atherton Rd
Epsom
Auckland 1023
Secondary Students
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Which schools receive grants?
Students from these schools, as identified by Ian, are eligible for funding. Learn more about each school by clicking on its
name to visit its website:
Aotea College
Bishop Viard College
Mana College
Newlands College
Onslow College
Porirua College
Rongotai College
St Mary’s College
St Patrick’s College
Tawa College
Wellington College
Wellington East Girls’ College
Wellington Girls’ College
Wellington High School
Bishop Viard College
Mana College
Newlands College
Onslow College
Porirua College
Rongotai College
St Mary’s College
St Patrick’s College
Tawa College
Wellington College
Wellington East Girls’ College
Wellington Girls’ College
Wellington High School
Discover more about grant applications.
About the Trust
The Ian Crabtree Trust makes financial grants to disadvantaged students at state secondary schools in Wellington and Porirua,
and to the Mary Potter Hospice to support the terminally ill.
View from the gold-mining tunnel at Zealandia, with access and interpretation for visitors funded by Ian.
At heart, Ian was a philanthropist – someone who shows their concern for humankind through charitable work and generous donations of money.
So in his will, Ian directed that a large share of his assets should go into a trust to benefit charities, and on his death in 2002 the Ian Crabtree Trust was established.
This Trust is the legal means by which Ian’s assets could be invested and administered. In a trust, no one can access the funds except for the people who operate it, called the trustees. Ian handpicked two people he knew and respected as his inaugural trustees, David Hurley and John Simpson, entrusting them to invest the funds of money and distribute the surpluses according to the philanthropic wishes he set out in his will.
From the outset, they set themselves the task of maintaining the real value of Ian's trust fund, as well as making significant distributions in the form of grants to the groups he identified in his will. These groups were disadvantaged secondary school students in Wellington and Porirua and the hospice movement.
In 2013, John Simpson retired from the Trust and the power of appointment of new Trustees passed to the Rotary Club of Wellington North, of which Ian was a member for eleven years before he died. Two members of this club have now joined David Hurley as Trustees.
Meet the Trustees
David Hurley
A relative of Ian’s by marriage, David Hurley is a current mediator, and a former lawyer and trustee of various charities including the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand, J R McKenzie Trust, International Year of the Child Telethon Trust, and the Mary Potter Hospice. He is particularly taken with Ian’s commitment to vulnerable people both at the start and end of life and says it has been a heartwarming privilege to see this generosity repaid from the appreciation of recipients.
David King
As a retired Chartered Accountant, David has considerable experience in the operation and administration of trusts. His 30 years in Rotary both in New Zealand and overseas created many practical opportunities to assist others. As a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Wellington North, David knew fellow member Ian Crabtree and appreciates the benefits that his legacy creates for others.
Graeme Waters
A former diplomat, Graeme has served as High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to the Philippines, and in a number of other Asian and Pacific posts. He is currently international adviser to Auckland Zoo. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Wellington North for over a decade, and is involved in its Reading in Schools project. Having also served on the selection panel for the Rotary Scholarship Trust, Graeme values the opportunity to further foster Ian Crabtree's legacy.
Photograph by Trustee David Hurley
Grants
As well as to the hospice movement, the Ian Crabtree Trust makes grants to students of state secondary schools in Wellington
as far north as Porirua.
Which students are eligible for grants?
Students who meet the eligibility criteria can approach their school administrators to apply for a grant on their behalf. Schools
may also take the initiative of applying for grants for students they know to be disadvantaged.
The eligibility criteria are:
• the student must be currently enrolled at a state secondary school in the Wellington or Porirua area (see the list of schools);
• the student must be financially disadvantaged; and
• the grant must be used for educational or personal development purposes.
• the student must be financially disadvantaged; and
• the grant must be used for educational or personal development purposes.
Apply by email or letter
Breakfast club at Porirua College
We welcome applications for grants from principals, counsellors, welfare officers, and administrators of schools. Please apply by email or letter on school letterhead setting out the reasons for your grant request, and detailing the student’s eligibility and the amount of financial assistance required.
Grant applications should be made to:
The Trustees
Ian Crabtree Trust
c/o Hercus King & Co
Chartered Accountants
PO Box 13069
Johnsonville
WELLINGTON 6037
Ian Crabtree Trust
c/o Hercus King & Co
Chartered Accountants
PO Box 13069
Johnsonville
WELLINGTON 6037
Email: info@iancrabtreetrust.org.nz
The grant process
The Trustees consider individual applications as they are received, and approved grants are paid directly to the relevant school for distribution to the students involved. We appreciate knowing about the benefits grants have made, and welcome feedback from the applicants or students.
Feel free to contact us if you need more information.
Mary Potter Hospice
The Mary Potter Hospice took excellent care of Ian at the end of his life. In turn, his Trust continues to care for their work by granting money to this charitable organisation.
The Hospice provides specialist care to people regardless of their age, religion, or ethnic origin who are living with a terminal illness. Its focus is the individual and not their illness, so highly qualified doctors, nurses, counsellors and therapists work closely with patients and their families in their own homes, as well as at an inpatient unit in Wellington, a palliative care base in Porirua and a day facility in Kapiti.
Special projects funded by the Ian Crabtree Trust
The Ian Crabtree Trust has made substantial grants to the Mary Potter Hospice for general purposes and to fund special projects. These have included the purchase and upgrade of cars for use by staff in their work, as well as the critical replacement of the telephone system between the sites, and a significant contribution to a new roof urgently installed at the Wellington hospice.
Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington had a leaking roof. When it rained it poured – inside! In the thoroughfares and offices, buckets were needed everywhere to catch the water. Twenty years old, the Hospice’s roof was in need of an urgent makeover to stop the rain.
Working with generous contractors who kept their costs to an absolute minimum, it was agreed that the best solution was to build a new roof over the top of the existing one so the Hospice could remain open while the work was done. Faced with a nearly half-million-dollar bill for the project, it was donations like the significant grant from the Ian Crabtree Trust that allowed the work to be successfully carried out in 2009, and for the Mary Potter Hospice to continue to provide its valuable services, free of charge, for the people of Wellington.
Discover more about Mary Potter Hospice at www.marypotter.org.nz
Other Charities
There were two other charities with which Ian was deeply involved and remembered in his will, reflecting his concern for the vulnerabilities he saw in the world.
Rotary
Ian was a long-serving member of the Rotary Club of Wellington North. The club established the Rotary Scholarship Trust in 1992 to “assist with the cost of tertiary education, vocational training or development of life skills, of people suffering from financial hardship”, but it was not until Ian's million-dollar bequest that the Trust was able to start making annual grants. Feedback from recipients shows their delight in being able to study with reduced financial stress.
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million business and community leaders who meet weekly at local clubs that are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Rotarians develop community service projects that address critical issues such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programmes for youth, education, and international exchanges. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self”.
Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience
Another charity to benefit from Ian’s generosity is Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban eco-sanctuary. The 225-hectare valley in Karori has a two-metre high predator-proof fence that provides a conservation safe haven for over 40 threatened plant and animal species, as well as an interactive exhibition presenting 80 million years of natural history.
Thousands of people visit each year.
Rare species of birds such as kiwi, kaka, Hihi (stitchbird), Tīeke (saddleback) and reptiles like tuatara live wild just 10 minutes from central Wellington, where native forest with rātā, rimu and tōtara is regenerating naturally. Zealandia truly captured Ian’s imagination. He was a regular volunteer and donor and bequeathed money to it in his will.
The Trustees wanted his bequest to be used for a tangible project, and they agreed to Zealandia’s suggestion of providing access to and information about the early gold mining attempts in the area. His generosity is recognised at the entrance of a mine site with a memorial plaque from the Karori Historical Society, another of Ian’s interests.
Discover more about Zealandia at www.visitzealandia.com
Photograph by Trustee David Hurley
Contact Us
The Trustees
Ian Crabtree Trust
c/o Hercus King & Co
Chartered Accountants
PO Box 13069
Johnsonville
WELLINGTON 6037
Ian Crabtree Trust
c/o Hercus King & Co
Chartered Accountants
PO Box 13069
Johnsonville
WELLINGTON 6037
Uncle Ian with Anna, Sarah and Matthew Laurenson at the rock
pools, Milford Beach, c.1970
The Lower Lake at Zealandia, as seen from the Trust-funded access track to the Morning Star Mine