Somerset Ashburton Trust
History in the Making
In 2007, BRCT (formerly the ALT Board) established the Somerset Ashburton Trust (SAT), a charitable trust designed to support significant grants for the community now and in the future.
BRCT oversees SAT through the appointment of its Trustees, and SAT is the owner of Somerset House.
While BRCT itself is not a registered charity, this allows it to support a wider range of community projects and initiatives. BRCT remains the main entity, holding most of the group’s assets, with Somerset House being an exception.
Investing Beyond our Backyard to Grow Local Impact
In 2024, Somerset Ashburton Trust (SAT), a charitable trust within BRCT, entered into an agreement with Mackersy Property to purchase a newly built commercial property in Invercargill. Currently under construction, the building will house a prominent national tenant, with completion and handover expected in mid-2026.
This development represents a major milestone in SAT’s long-term investment strategy. By diversifying beyond our local area and securing stable, long-term revenue streams, we’re building sustainable growth that will directly boost our granting capacity. The return from projects like this helps ensure more funding flows back into local initiatives, supporting the people, organisations, and ideas that make Mid Canterbury thrive.
This is the first of many progress updates we’ll share on this exciting project, and we can’t wait to show you the finished building. It’s already looking spectacular from the air. If you’re flying into Invercargill anytime soon, grab a left-hand window seat for the best view.
October 2025
Another Milestone Moment
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄:
• First floor has now been poured
• Roof structure is on
• Internal framing is going in
With each visit, this development becomes more real: a long-term investment designed to strengthen our ability to support community projects right here in Mid Canterbury.
We’ll keep you posted as the momentum builds.
December 2025