Invercargill Licensing Trust

The Invercargill Licensing Trust is a licensing trust in the city of Invercargill in New Zealand. It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and cultural groups, and welfare bodies. Along with its Charitable Trust and Sports Foundation it provides donations and sponsorships of approximately $3 million annually to nearly 500 organisations.

ILT Foundation

The Invercargill Licensing Trust and the ILT Foundation are major funders of community projects in Invercargill. The ILT Foundation provides donations and grants totalling around $10 million a year to over 500 organisations.

These range from major developments such as Stadium Southland and the ILT Velodrome, to helping grass-roots projects such as supplying interactive electronic whiteboards for local schools or a new learners’ swimming pool at Splash Palace, Invercargill's public swimming baths.

Several years ago, the Trust, working with all Invercargill school principals, established a goal to pursue initiatives that would lead to Invercargill schools being recognised as leaders in education in New Zealand. A number have since been implemented, supported by Trust funding:

Interactive Whiteboard Project (IWB) Since 2005 the Trust has funded and installed 355 IWBs in Invercargill classrooms at a cost of $4.5 million, revolutionising teaching methods and setting the city apart.

Gifted and Talented Kids Programme The Trust have fully funded the establishment of an Excellence and Innovation Centre for all Invercargill primary school children. The Centre has a dual function of teaching gifted and talented children, as well as hosting classes so that pupils can experience the most up-to-date technology.

Teachers Professional Development Since 2005 the Trust has provided $2.5million for teachers to access innovative learning opportunities both within New Zealand and internationally, including attracting world class speakers to Invercargill.

Tertiary Education Scholarships 185 Scholarships have been funded to Invercargill secondary school students at $2000 a year for a three-year period.

Learn to Swim Classes Annually, the Trust funds free swimming lessons, including transport to and from, for children aged between 5 and 12.

History

The concept of licensing trusts in New Zealand was first introduced by the Invercargill Licensing Trust Act 1944, and was developed by the recommendations of the Report of the Royal Commission on Licensing 1946.

References

• History of the Invercargill Licensing Trust (Invercargill, 1955)
• Clive Lind,Pubs, Pints and People: 50 Years of the Invercargill Licensing Trust, 1994 Invercargill

External links

• Invercargill Licensing Trust
• Unofficial Survey of Invercargill Licensing Trust operations by the People of Invercargill