The Old Packhouse Market project is owned and governed by the Far North Resilient Communities Charitable Trust (FNRCCT), a registered charitable trust established to protect community assets and support long-term social, economic, and environmental resilience in the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ownership and governance
FNRCCT holds responsibility for the Old Packhouse Market as a community asset. This includes stewardship of the land, buildings, and overarching project vision, ensuring they are protected for community benefit now and into the future.
The Trust acts as guardian rather than proprietor, with a clear mandate to prioritise long-term community value over short-term gain.
Role of trustees
Trustees of FNRCCT are responsible for:
- Setting strategic direction and safeguarding the charitable purpose of the project
- Ensuring sound governance, legal compliance, and financial oversight
- Acting in the best interests of the community and future generations
- Maintaining independence, integrity, and collective responsibility in decision-making
Trustees do not manage day-to-day operations. Their role is to govern, not to run the project.
Transparency and accountability
FNRCCT is committed to a high standard of transparency and accountability. This includes:
- Clear reporting to funders, partners, and the community
- Open communication about major milestones and decisions
- Careful stewardship of funds raised through donations, grants, and other sources
- Compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements
We recognise that trust is earned through openness, consistency, and follow-through.
Separation of governance and operations
Where operational activities are undertaken (such as market operations, events, or project delivery), these are managed separately from governance oversight.
This separation supports:
- Clear accountability
- Reduced risk
- Stronger decision-making
- Good practice expectations of funders and regulators
Community stewardship
At its heart, the Old Packhouse Market is a shared community asset.
FNRCCT’s approach is grounded in stewardship; caring for place, people, and purpose, and in recognising that this project exists not just for today, but for generations to come.