Tens of thousands of people flock every January to celebrate the new year at Funfest, Auckland’s only annual summer event with free entry, free parking, free rides and free prizes. The massive four-day festivity kicks off with an invitational day for children with special needs and their families and also hosts a family expo for well-being, health, education and careers. It has steadily grown since it was held at the event centre in 2017. It has welcomed more than 44,000 guests in 2021, its highest number of visitors to date.
 

The Manukau Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a community orchestra based in South Auckland that presents four concerts annually to patrons from across Auckland at the Due Drop Events Centre.

Established in 1993 with support from the Manukau City Council and the Manukau community, MSO has grown from a small 22-piece ensemble to its present-day fully-fledged symphony, with around 80 musicians on stage at each performance at the BNZ Theatre.

Based on El Sistema, a worldwide initiative, Sistema Aotearoa is a social development programme that builds a sense of community, self-respect, and mutual support in children. Its free, intensive, ensemble-based music lessons inspire children to realize their full potential as students and citizens through orchestral music-making and the pursuit of musical excellence.

It holds its annual performance at the Sir Woolf Fisher Arena.

The Kitchen Project is a three-way partnership between Panuku Development Auckland, Auckland Unlimited and Healthy Families aimed at helping entrepreneurs and businesses establish themselves, grow and thrive,

With the assistance of Angela Dalton (Manurewa Local Board), its South Auckland Programme was established and the Trust has sponsored a dedicated space at the Due Drop Events Centre for its kitchen since 2019. 

The Great Auckland Duck Race brings together the community at Vector Wero for free family fun whilst fundraising for Harold The Giraffe and Life Education Trust Counties Manukau.

Schools and businesses cheer for their duck racing down the rapids whilst also enjoying live music, entertainment, food stalls and games. Created by the Rotary Club of Manurewa-Rotary, the event attracts families from the area for a quacking fun day out!

The Momentum Hub Student Leadership Programme aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of next generation leaders from the South Auckland Community. Students develop foundation knowledge in leadership, and will acquire the ability to operate at an advanced level. 

It gives them the opportunity to improve their performance through knowledge, understanding and self-awareness

The Auckland Youth Voice is the peak body for youth participation groups in Auckland. It is a regional organisation and its members represent a diverse range of young people and youth voice groups committed to increasing youth and civic participation locally, regionally and nationally.

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The Trust sponsored the inaugural AYV Youth Awards 2020 in December 2020 and hosted 100 young people representing 13 AYV Groups at the Fisher and Paykel Foyer.