Trust Tairāwhiti has approved funding for eight organisations delivering initiatives that support community wellbeing across the region.
Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust was the largest recipient, receiving $99.4k to host a Poukai event in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa in November. Poukai, an important Kīngitanga tradition, strengthens relationships and unites communities through manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kotahitanga.
Hosting the event in Tairāwhiti will draw around 800 manuhiri to the region, offer whānau meaningful cultural experiences, enhance community ties, promote leadership and knowledge sharing across generations, and celebrate the region’s cultural identity.
Maraki Productions Limited will receive just over $31k for Whiti Te Rā, a rangatahi-led indigenous film festival in Tairāwhiti. Beginning with a three-day pilot in 2027, the festival aims to grow over three years, supporting rangatahi leadership, cultural expression, industry pathways and audience development.
Other recipients this month:
- Mātai Medical Research Institute: $30k towards its 2026/27 summer internship programme.
- Taniwha Connections: $23.3k towards the Tairāwhiti component of the Seeds of Ancestry Symposium, an indigenous-led collaboration addressing myrtle rust, biodiversity, mātauranga Māori and environmental knowledge.
- Radio Ngāti Porou Charitable Trust: $15k towards Te Maara Reo o Iranui Kura Reo 2026, an initiative focused on Te Reo Ake o Ngāti Porou, including dialect, tikanga, whakapapa, mōteatea, local history, kīwaha, kapa haka and whanaungatanga.
- Pahiitaua Incorporation: $14.8k to support the establishment of Hauawhio Nursery in Whareponga, a whānau-led native plant nursery.
- Gisborne Girls High School: $14.7k towards a professional marketing video promoting Tairāwhiti as a destination for domestic and international students.
- Lytton High School: $10k towards 20 mountain bikes, helmets, maintenance items and secure storage.
All successful applications aligned strongly with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora.