In 2025, DB was yet again proud to support Community Builders NZ Trust, a community connection hub and garden based in the heart of the South Auckland community of Ōtara, near to where our largest brewery, Waitematā, and head office is located.

The Trust’s Ōtara Kai Village reaches individuals and families experiencing food insecurity through its pātaka kai community pantry and encourages self and community growth and empowerment by offering tools and opportunities for local enterprise to flourish.

Its Ōtara Mara Kai community garden provides fresh kai for the community and teaches locals how to grow their own food. 

While DB’s support has always included both a financial donation and volunteer hours from our people, in 2025, we were delighted to offer a place on our leadership development programme to Trust CEO Terangi Parima. She joined a group of Star Hospitality senior managers, who welcomed her and valued the added benefit of a local, community lens.

Terangi’s words capture the value she got from the 3-day programme: “I feel more confident in my ability to lead with intention, to create trust and to connect in ways that strengthen our team culture.

“There were so many practical tools and frameworks shared, but even more valuable for me was the self-awareness I walked away with.

“Personally, and especially as a young leader, I came into this feeling excited but a bit hesitant. I was nervous – unsure if I’d fit in, unsure if I had anything meaningful to contribute and wondering if I could be fully myself in that space.

“But I chose to show up anyway, and I’m so glad I did. What I walked away with was far more than I expected.”