Collaboration was the name of the game for the three Wairarapa district councils when they opened their doors to their respective communities in May to provide guidance on how to find sources of funding and create compelling funding applications.

“Each council hosted a Funders’ Forum in each of their respective districts, with national, regional and local funding organisations in attendance. They were there to connect our communities with funding opportunities suited to their needs, along with advice around building proposals and understanding application criteria to give them the best chance possible at funding success,” says Lina McManus, Funding Coordinator for South Wairarapa District Council.

The councils all administer funds on an annual basis from a range of internal and external sources. These include Council Community grants, the Creative New Zealand Creative Communities Scheme and waste minimisation funds. There is also funding available from community-specific groups in each district, such as the Greytown Lands Trust.

“We are extremely appreciative of the funding we administer to our communities each year, and we hold the weight of that responsibility seriously. We all want to ensure community investment is as impactful as possible,” says McManus.

The Funding Forums offered insights into specific funding providers as well as the chance to forge new connections when looking for funds. A special thank you to Eastern and Central Community Trust and Trust House for covering the expenses associated with these events.

Funding providers

Funding support for the community can come from a diverse range of government agencies, including the Department of Internal Affairs, community trusts such as Nuku Ora and foundations such as the Tindall Foundation, administered by REAP. Funding is also available from, among others, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and Hui E! Community Aotearoa, which offers writing help to community groups across the motu for funding applications.

To support the residents in our communities further on their funding journeys, we have attached our Funding Guide for Wairarapa organisations to this media release. This guide was produced collaboratively by all three councils and local funders.

Find out more and apply for funds now online at

swdc.govt.nz/community/grants
mstn.govt.nz/community/community-grants
cdc.govt.nz/funding