Trust Tairāwhiti has approved more than $250k in community funding this month, supporting 14 initiatives across the region.
Two major national events are the largest recipients this round, each receiving $65k.
GRIT Motorsport Limited will receive $65k to support the D1NZ National Drifting Championship in Gisborne early next year. The event will showcase high-level motorsport and attract competitors and spectators from across the motu and abroad, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy.
Touch New Zealand will also receive $65k towards the delivery of the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Touch Championship in Gisborne next year. The open-entry national event will bring together rangatahi from kura across Aotearoa, with more than 80 teams, 1,600 participants, 100 referees and over 1,000 spectators expected.
Other recipients include:
- Tairāwhiti Environment Centre - $37k to support the 2026 Future Whenua Summit and a regional stocktake of catchment groups, strengthening environmental leadership and promoting regenerative land management.
- Te Wharau School - $26.8k to support the delivery of Talanoa Ako: Empowering Pacific Whānau in Education, a pilot programme designed to build stronger engagement between Pacific families and the education system in Tairāwhiti.
- Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou - $15k towards the 2026 inter-marae sports festival (Pā Wars) and the Hikurangi Maunga Dawn Ceremony.
- TKKM o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou - $15k towards hosting the Tupurahi Junior Kī-o-Rahi Nationals 2025 at Whakarua Park, Ruatōria.
- St Mary’s Memorial Church, Tikitiki - $15k towards its centenary commemoration in February 2026, marking 100 years since the church’s dedication.
- Ngāti Porou Surf Life Saving Club - $15k to support the purchase of a surf craft, a vital resource for delivering Te Ara Tangaroa. This initiative focuses on water safety, Ngāti Poroutanga and pathways into ocean-based sports.
- Toi Māori – Māori Arts NZ - $10k to support the 10th Te Ātinga Indigenous Artists Gathering, to be held in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa in January 2026.
- Outward Bound Trust - $10k to support rangatahi from Tairāwhiti secondary schools to attend the Outward Bound Regional Schools Programme in 2026.
- Ngatapa Sheep Dog Trial Club - $9.7k towards upgrades and repairs at the clubhouse, making it safer, more functional and fit-for-purpose.
- Raparapaririki Charitable Trust - $6.6k towards the installation of a 5,000L reserve water tank at Te Puna Reo o Raparapaririki, providing a reliable backup water supply during outages or emergencies.
- Ngata Memorial College - $5.8k towards the installation of three shade sails over the school’s primary playground.
- School Start First Impressions - $4.3k to support the expansion of its programme into Tairāwhiti, providing school starter packs and uniform contributions for tamariki in need to have a positive start to school.
All applications aligned strongly with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora.