Polish Community Trust BOP NZ Inc.

The Polish Community Trust, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, was officially incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 on 27 May 2013.

The purpose of the Trust is to

  • establish a Polish Language School, mainly for children but also for any interested adults in the region
  • spread awareness of and appreciation for our cultural heritage and history within the community
  • encourage the Polish community to contribute and be more deeply involved in New Zealand’s multicultural life
  • organise and promote cultural events to benefit the Polish Language School as well as the community

The Polish Community Trust is run by a group of people who have different affiliations with Poland. Some of us were born there, some are second-generation Poles from other countries, not necessarily from New Zealand.

However, all of us share the desire to maintain our Polish identities while at the same time being integrated into our New Zealand communities in the Bay of Plenty.

Our mission is to:

  1. Support and advance Polish language school for children and adults,
  2. Contribute to New Zealand multicultural heritage through showcasing Polish arts and traditions
  3. Preserve Polish traditions and culture in the Bay of Plenty.

To achieve our mission’s goals, each year we raise money through organising charity events. We also seek funds and donations from different organisations and the Polish Embassy.

The events organised by Trust:

  • 2020 – “Salon PL” an afternoon event organised by Margarete Kraemer presenting contemporary literature, music, art and dance to a packed room.
  • 2017 –“Tekla Klebetnica” concert – Polish group playing and singing fusion of traditional folklore with elements of gypsy, classical and jazz music in a folk crossover style.
  • 2016 – “An evening of classic jazz” Jazz concert by Artur Dudkiewicz & exhibition of Polish and NZ theatre posters. Also performing was a Girls’ College Jazz Band
  • 2015- “So far away and yet so close” Chopin concert performing Magdalena James, Korean and NZ born pianists & exhibition of photographs by  Krzysztof Pfeiffer and Artur Nosiadek.
  • 2014 –“Unveiling Chopin Plaque” – on 6 April 2014 the Polish Ambassador to New Zealand, Beata Stoczynska, unveiled the plaque at Baycourt Arts & Community Centre in Tauranga. It is dedicated to Polish Romantic-era composer Fryderyk Chopin. A short concert of Chopin music was played by Magdalena James.
  • Polish Community trust also funded several annual events for Polish school children – celebrating Easter, Christmas, and other Polish traditions at the school and at summer camp in 2018 in Papamoa.

Participation in:

  • Spring Slavic Festival 2019 –with performances by Polish children dance group and piano by Magdalena James. Two Polish food stalls delighted guests with delicious homemade cakes.
  • “Twelve Days of Christmas” 2016–participation with Polish food stall at “Christmas Market” organised by Multicultural Tauranga
  • “Meet the Wawel dragon” 2015 Polish evening in the Living in Harmony series organised by Multicultural Tauranga.
  • ‘Around the World in 80 dishes” 2014 participation with food display and sales of Polish crepes; an exhibition organised by  Multicultural Tauranga
  • Fundraisers: food stalls at Tauranga Multicultural festivals: every year since 2013
  • Food stalls at Markets