More than $181,990 in community grants were approved in the Trust Tairāwhiti June funding round. These grants will support recovery initiatives, preserve cultural heritage and advance regional sports, entertainment, health and educational programmes.
Federated Farmers Gisborne/Wairoa (FFGW) has been granted $37,500 to aid the FFGW Cyclone Recovery fund. The funds will be used to source fencing equipment to be distributed as support packages to help farmers rebuild from cyclone damage.
For every $2,000 to $3,000 raised by the group, another farming family will receive vital assistance. FFGW's goal is to support 50 to 100 farming properties with a tailored package of fencing supplies based on property size and the extent of damage. This support will enable farmers to fence about 500-1000m to protect their livestock.
Te Reo Irirangi o Tūranganui a Kiwa will receive $35,000 to support Radio Ngāti Porou (RNP) and Tūranga FM in broadcasting live coverage of the knighthood ceremony of Sir Selwyn Parata. This collaboration between RNP and Tūranga FM will ensure the broadcast is accessible to all Māori media, iwi radio stations and mainstream media outlets, ultimately reaching national and international audiences.
To preserve this broadcast as a historical and educational taonga, RNP and Tūranga FM will engage professional services to edit and archive the footage. Whānau and friends of Sir Selwyn will join iwi leaders, dignitaries and politicians in Ruatoria on 22 June to honour the decades of contributions Sir Selwyn has made to te ao Māori.
Albatross Adventure Marathons will receive $15,000 for the annual First Light Marathon. Athletes from New Zealand and abroad will come together in Te Tairāwhiti to participate in the full marathon, half marathon, or six-kilometre fun run, enjoying the region's breathtaking coastal scenery.
Other grant recipients include:
- Gisborne Centre Stage (GCS) – $14,340 towards production costs for the We Will Rock You stage show. This distribution will support GCS with the cost of a large digital screen.
- Tongan Methodist Church – $10,000 to support the three programmes in their annual event calendar. These programmes include the Tongan Youth Camp, Tongan Language Week and a Children’s Celebration Event.
- Poverty Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association – $10,000 towards delivering the 2024 Gisborne A & P show.
- Auckland District Kidney Society Incorporated – $10,000 to support delivering their wellness programme to Tairāwhiti residents. The programme is a free home-based service for people with kidney disease to help maintain wellness through physical activities that fit individuals’ needs.
- Citizens Advice Bureau – $10,000 towards the lease costs of their building. This will ensure that they can continue to provide invaluable support to the Tairāwhiti community, helping locals navigate their rights and responsibilities and achieve positive social outcomes.
- Gisborne U3A Incorporated – $1,650 to support the implementation of cyber security workshops for retired citizens in Te Tairāwhiti.
Feasibility fund recipient:
- Tolaga Bay Inn Charitable Trust – $16,000 towards a feasibility study to understand the opportunity to buy, restore, and indigenise the Tolaga Bay Inn, preserving its historical and cultural significance while keeping it locally and Māori-owned. The Inn operates as a community hub and is focused on supporting economic development on the East Coast.
The Feasibility Fund aims to support comprehensive analysis and research to assess the viability and potential success of projects focused on benefitting our communities and economy. Here’s more information on feasibility funding:
All projects and initiatives were assessed against the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, to ensure they will lead to meaningful outcomes for Tairāwhiti.
A new funding round is open now
Photo credit: Albatros Adventure Marathons™️