Six disability-led projects across Tāmaki Makaurau are set to share in $200,000 Auckland Council funding to help communities better prepare for a changing climate.
The funding comes from Council’s ‘Disability-Led Climate Adaptation Pilot’ and Foundation North in a first-of-its-kind initiative that puts disabled people at the centre of climate decision-making.
The Council says people with disabilities are often disproportionately affected by climate disruption. This pilot flips the script by recognising their valuable perspective, expertise and leadership in shaping practical, community-based solutions.
“This process is a really important opportunity for Auckland Council to collaborate with disability communities across Tāmaki Makaurau at the outset of this initiative,” said Whau Ward Councillor, Sarah Paterson-Hamlin.
“We are grateful to Foundation North for supporting the funding and to Spectrum Foundation who will be a partner in supporting the implementation of the projects.”
Developed with the disability-led Grant Advisory Panel and two implementation partners, Juliana Carvalho and Community Think, the pilot brought together disabled people, organisations and climate experts to explore how communities can adapt. Participants took part in workshops, mentoring and a public Pitch Day, where ideas were presented and assessed.
“What makes this pilot truly unique is that disabled people led every step – designing the process, shaping the criteria, supporting applicants, and ultimately determining which projects received funding,” said Grant Advisory Panel member, Paul Brown.
Connie Lee from Foundation North says the process was as important as the outcomes.
“It was incredibly powerful to see the community come together to support one another, and to develop climate adaptation ideas created for, by, and with the community,” says Ms Lee.
Nine proposals were submitted, covering areas that included emergency preparedness, food security, accessibility and cultural resilience. Six were selected for funding after a strong response from the disability community.
Successful projects include:
- Auckland Deaf Society delivering climate adaptation workshops in New Zealand Sign Language;
- My Life My Voice developing an accessible adaptation planning app for disabled people and whānau;
- Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa (TAMA) producing Māori-led climate and preparedness films;
- CCS Disability Action running gardening and food resilience workshops;
- Wilson School with Te Hōnonga a Iwi leading student-driven food growing and restoration projects;
- People First New Zealand and XR Rogers delivering a disability-led forum and Easy Read climate resources.
Alongside funding, the pilot programme has helped build confidence, skills and connections in the disability community. Many participants were new to climate adaptation but developed strong, community-led proposals through the process of their involvement, the Council said.
The initiative is part of Auckland Council’s Resilient Tāmaki Makaurau programme, supporting communities to work together and thrive in a changing climate, while exploring a participatory grant-making approach that puts funding decisions in community hands.
The six projects will begin in August 2026 and will run for up to two years, supported by Spectrum Foundation.
For more information about grant recipients visit Auckland Climate Action.
