From restoring sports facilities to exploring new economic opportunities, grants from the recent Trust Tairāwhiti funding round support a diverse range of community initiatives, projects and feasibility studies.
The largest recipient of community funding this round was the Gisborne Youth Sports Charitable Trust (GYSCT). GYSCT will receive $15,000 to help restore the roof of the Gisborne Sports Centre after significant damage from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Roof leaks have disrupted the facility’s operations, impacting the Gisborne Gymnastics Club, Gisborne Judo Club, and Gisborne Trampolining Club. The centre is also used for birthday parties, school holiday programmes, kōhanga reo, schools and community groups. However, cyclone-related damage has limited access.
This funding will help ensure the centre can continue providing vital recreational and sporting opportunities for the community.
Other community funding recipients:
- Manutuke Volunteer Fire Brigade - $6,500 to support the trial of an extra emergency response vehicle following the success of a similar initiative in Te Karaka.
- Motor Neurone Disease NZ Charitable Trust - $3,955 to enable the Community Support Advisor to visit Tairāwhiti more frequently. Based in Kawerau, the advisor travels every 6-8 weeks to visit six local clients, their whānau and their carers to provide support in coping with the impact of MND.
- Exhibition and Research Symposium on Climate Change, Sport and Rangatahi - $5,000 supporting an exhibition and symposium showcasing rangatahi perspectives on Tairāwhiti in a changing climate through a sporting lens.
Feasibility funding recipients:
- Te Awapuni Moana Fund – $25,000 towards a pre-feasibility plan for the development of Awapuni Moana whenua. This initiative presents a significant economic and environmental opportunity, assessing water security, flood resilience, and Māori-led sustainable land use.
- Hakuwai Fishing LTD - $24,000 towards a business case for a potential shipping link between Gisborne and the Chatham Islands, which could boost trade, create jobs and enhance regional resilience.
The feasibility fund supports research into the viability of projects that foster economic growth in Tairāwhiti. It helps entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators develop feasibility studies or business cases to assess investment potential.
Find out more about 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.