Community-led projects that benefit Māori are set to receive a significant financial boost through Auckland Council’s Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants programme 2023/2024.
Thirteen projects have been allocated a slice of $318,863, with the funding approved by the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee last week
The Council says six of the projects will either directly benefit Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau or offer education about Te Ao Māori, and together will receive 50% of the funding – a significant increase from the last funding round, where four Māori organisations or organisations were allocated a total of 32% of the funding.
Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, Councillor Richard Hills says the organisations that will receive funding will have a positive impact on their communities.
“Residents across Auckland will benefit from these grants which have gone to regionally significant groups, services, events and activities,” said Cr Hills.
“The diverse range of organisations which have been allocated funding will help support thriving communities.”
Recipients of this year’s funding round include a community outreach programme working with rangatahi; a spoken word poetry workshop programme specifically developed for Māori and a community connection programme for older Aucklanders with dementia or disability.
Auckland Council’s Acting General Manager Connected Communities, Darryl Soljan said he was thrilled with the high number of applicants for the funding round.
“The Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities grant received a total of 95 applications – the highest number since 2015,” he said.
“We’re pleased with the high calibre of applications and would like to thank each and every person who gave their time and effort to apply.
“Auckland Council has obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Embracing Te Tiriti as the basis for an intercultural Tāmaki Makaurau contributes to our shared identity and sense of belonging.
“We are delighted to be able to help each of the 13 successful applicants and we are particularly pleased that we are able to help a number of organisations that benefit Māori in Auckland.”
“The large number of applicants we received this funding round highlights the need for grassroots organisations to be able to apply for and access funding through third parties, and Auckland Council is proud to invest in these initiatives that share our commitment and drive for thriving communities across Auckland.”
The organisations to receive funding are:
| Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants 2023/24 recipients | ||
| Organisation | Activity | Funding Allocation |
| NZ Council of Victim Support Groups Inc. | Supporting victims of crime, suicide, and traumatic events | $30,000 |
| Creative Abilities & Associates Limited | Inclusive Lift: Empowering disabled Aucklanders to access community facilities for recreational and therapeutic well-being | $37,683 |
| Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa | Music mentoring and wellbeing programmes for young people in Auckland | $30,000 |
| Action Education Incorporated | Ngā Toi o Rongo Tāmaki 2024 – a spoken word poetry workshop programme specifically developed for Māori | $15,500 |
| Connect the Dots | Community connection for older Aucklanders and people with dementia or disability through creative arts projects | $30,000 |
| Volunteering Auckland | Expanding community outreach and engagement, supporting leaders of volunteering, increasing inclusive volunteering opportunities | $20,000 |
| Refugees As Survivors NZ Trust | Community Pillars training project, phase 5, 2024 | $10,000 |
| Recreate NZ | Recreate Youth Space accessibility upgrade | $13,390 |
| Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People Incorporated | Te Tiriti for everyone | $22,925 |
| Belong Aotearoa | Vibrant Communities – working with existing and emerging leaders in the migrant and former refugee community to build capacity and support a holistic approach to complex issues such as mental health and wellbeing | $29,500 |
| The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust | Transformative music therapy programmes delivered across Tāmaki Makaurau | $20,000 |
| Feelings for Life Charitable Trust | Kaiako Hauora Programme Pilot –prioritising the personal well-being of those working with tamariki in schools | $29,865 |
| Te Karanga Charitable Trust | Community Outreach programme working with rangatahi facing exclusion, isolation and adversity | $30,000 |
| TOTAL FUNDING | $318,863 | |
Applications for the next round of the 2022-2032 Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants programme are expected to open in November 2024.
