Keystone and sponsor Barker & Associates have much in common.
Both were established in the 1990s. Both have a founding commitment to enabling young minds to be at their best in order to finesse their future. And now Barkers has cemented those ties by renewing a link from the past.
The specialist planning consultancy has once more become a Keystone sponsor. It had previously had a sponsorship role, and is delighted to resume that connection now, says director Gerard Thompson.
Nick Roberts, Managing Director, David Badham, Partner, Rachel Morgan, Director and Kark Cook, Director
“When [general manager] Amanda Stanes reached out to us recently, there was no real hesitation,” says Gerard. As he explains: “Keystone is at the grassroots of the involvement of future professionals across the property industry, of which planning plays an integral part. We like that connection.”
Barker & Associates – established in 1997 – now has practices across the country and works with other companies that also have lengthy Keystone links, including Stride (formerly DNZ). Founding trustee Paul Duffy was CEO of Stride and it is an inaugural Keystone sponsorship partner.
The original decision to become a sponsor was largely inspired by property developer Richard Didsbury, co-founder of Kiwi Property. (The company is responsible for building some significant shopping malls, including Sylvia Park precinct. Former Kiwi Property chief executive Chris Gudgeon was a Keystone Trust board member.) “We had a connection with Richard,” says Gerard. “He was a significant early client of ours and he was very persuasive in his efforts to get us to become a Keystone sponsor.”
Within its Auckland office, Barker & Associates enjoys providing trust scholars with internship placements. Among them is current student Isobel (Izzy) Green who will complete a Bachelor of Urban Design at the University of Auckland next year.
Te Katira Ruakere,-Norris, Izzy Green (Keystone Trust RCP scholarship recipient 2024), Natalie Duke and Lee Hewer – all third and fourth year urban planning students and interns
In her application for a Keystone scholarship, Izzy explained that she chose this four-year degree because she wanted to be able to make strategic decisions at a local level that could be sustained for the next generation.
“ Planners drive the most critical choices for communities, and to be able to
participate in helping create change is a core value for me,” she wrote.
That’s a perfect fit all round. Says Gerard: “In a really practical sense, we need to find new graduates every year, and through Keystone, we see the opportunity to meet new students part-way through their studies.”
And for Keystone, it’s a delight to see Barkers return to the Trust’s sponsor whanau, says Amanda Stanes. “We have missed having their insights to share with the students – especially during these times of economic and social turmoil when having knowledge and access to wonderful urban design ideals will help them see a future that is sustainable and possible.
“We want our students to learn from the best in the industry so it is fantastic to have [managing director] Nick Roberts, [director] Karl Cook and Gerard and the team on board.”
On a personal level, Gerard says that one thing he likes about Keystone is the fact that it provides so much more than a simple cash contribution for each student. The mentoring, pastoral care, networking and work experience opportunities elevate the scholarships beyond a simple cash transaction. “It’s a good way to use resources.”
He also admires the enduring nature of the trust, now entering its fourth decade. “It’s just going from strength to strength. The longevity makes it feel like there’s some momentum to it.” Likewise the Barkers’ connection. “We see this as an enduring thing. There’s a sense of doing your bit and chipping in and it’s something we’re very proud to be associated with.”
