Trust Tairāwhiti has approved more than $316k in its October funding round, supporting 16 organisations and initiatives across the region.
Gizzy Kai Rescue (GKR) is the largest recipient, receiving $90k to redistribute surplus kai from local supermarkets, growers and producers to community organisations, helping reduce food insecurity and food waste.
Supported by around 40 volunteers, one paid staff member and 13 food suppliers, GKR distributes nearly 250 food parcels each week, helping local whānau in need while diverting edible food from landfill.
Other community fund recipients:
- Cancer Society of NZ Gisborne East Coast Centre Trust: $23.5k for a vehicle to help its Supportive Care Coordinator reach people with cancer in rural and isolated communities.
- Toimata Foundation: $20k for Te Tira Taiao environmental and cultural learning activities in Waipiro Bay and Te Puia Springs.
- Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust: $20k to return the Rongowhakaata taonga Tāwhaki from Munich to Tairāwhiti.
- Poverty Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association: $15k towards the 2026 Poverty Bay A&P Show.
- Gisborne District Council: $15k to support the delivery of ‘It’s a Gizzy Christmas,’ a free Christmas event and parade.
- Gisborne District Council: $15k for activities and entertainment at Fire in the Sky 2027.
- The Nest Collective NZ Charitable Trust: $15k to provide free essential baby items to whānau experiencing hardship.
- Sunshine Service Incorporated: $10k towards door-to-door transport for older people and those with limited mobility.
- Wesley Methodist Church: $5k for Le Tausala Siva Samoa, a weekly cultural programme for young Pacific women.
Regional events fund recipients:
- Surf City Rod & Custom Club Incorporated: $15k for the 2027 Rod Run in Gisborne from 22 to 25 January 2027, attracting hot-rod enthusiasts and visitors from across New Zealand.
- New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women Incorporated: $10k for visitor-attraction activities associated with the Together We Rise: Women in Business Conference, to be held in Gisborne from 1 to 2 May 2027.
- Wrights Vineyard and Winery: $6k to support out-of-region marketing for the Vino and Vibes Festival on 31 January 2027.
- Gisborne Area Jumping and Show Hunter Incorporated: $4.4k to support venue hire for the Larsen Sawmilling Gisborne Equestrian Championships, including the Young Rider Trans-Tasman Challenge, from 15-17 January 2027.
Feasibility fund recipients:
- Gisborne Pirates Rugby Football Club Incorporated: $40k for a feasibility study into a financially sustainable, community-focused multi-sport hub in Kaiti.
- Heritage Tairāwhiti Incorporated: $12.9k for a feasibility study into the conservation, governance and future community use of the Matawhero Historic Church.
All successful applications aligned strongly with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora.
Read more about our Community, Regional Events and Feasibility Fund guidelines.