Just over $453k was approved in the recent Trust Tairāwhiti funding round, with Te Runanganui o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa as the largest recipient, receiving more than $98k to develop the Manutuke Hapori Hub.
Stage one developments at the hub focus on upgrading and installing essential infrastructure at the relocated building at the club site on Whakato Road, Manutuke. This will enable the coordinated delivery of health, education, civil defence, cultural and rangatahi services for the Manutuke community.
Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti will receive $95k to improve grassroots sporting facilities and community spaces across Tairāwhiti. Priority areas will be in the organisation’s ūkaipō areas, including Matakaoa, Ruatōrea, Waiapu, Tokomaru, Kaiti, Elgin, Te Karaka and Whatatutu. There will also be flexibility to support projects outside these areas that show indirect benefits to these communities.
Other funding recipients:
- Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust: $75k towards an inclusive playground at Alfred Cox Park, designed for people with mobility challenges.
- Rāngai Ltd: $50k for Techweek 2026, supporting a series of interactive, hands-on sessions for rangatahi.
- Eastern Institute of Technology: $35k to grow regional capability in higher education and training in computing, with a focus on AI and drone technology.
- Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust: $15k to support the repatriation of Te Pou o Hinematioro, including its return to Hauiti Marae and the associated exhibition at Tairāwhiti Museum.
- Huarahi Pai (fundholder for CoastFit 35): $15k towards the delivery of its community fitness programme in Ruatōria and Tikitiki.
- Gisborne Volunteer Coastguard Association: $10,750 to support the purchase of a forward-looking infrared thermal camera.
- Te Ataarangi ki Tokomaru Incorporated Society: $10k to support the delivery of a wānanga and kura reo taiao kaitiakitanga for communities in Tokomaru Bay, Te Puia Springs, Ūawa and Waipiro Bay.
- Te Kura o Tūranga: $10k to deliver four wānanga aimed at strengthening traditional practices of matataki (to challenge) across Tūranga Marae.
- Tairāwhiti Community Voice: $10k to support the annual cost to lease a building for their community programmes.
- Wesley Tongan Methodist Church: $8k towards its Youth Development Engagement programme for 27 rangatahi.
- Te Ora Hou Tairāwhiti: $6k to support the first stage of renovations to their youth hub facility at the Alfred Cox Skate Park.
- Waima Rugby Club: $4,650 to support essential costs that enable participation and continuity of the club’s activities.
Regional Events Fund recipient:
- Junior Sports Foundation: $9,927.50 to bring the much-loved Junior Community Rugby Festival back to Tairāwhiti. The event is open for all junior rugby clubs to enter, encouraging participation, enjoyment and community spirit through modified, inclusive games.
All successful applications aligned strongly with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora.