More than $189k in funding was approved in the August funding round from Trust Tairāwhiti.
Tairāwhiti Technology Trust (TaiTech) were the largest funding recipient this month, receiving $50k from the Communities Fund to support its work in upskilling pakeke with basic digital literacy needed to participate in today’s online society.
Based at the Kaiti Hub, TaiTech helps the community gain the required skills to bridge the digital divide, amplify community voices, promote digital equity and encourage cyber-safe communities.
Other community funding recipients this month
- Gisborne Volunteer Coastguard Association - $33k to buy a new trailer, improving vessel access and on-water time during missions.
- The Nest Collective - $15k towards essential items for the pepi packs they create and distribute to families in need, including thermometers, merino sleeping bags and reusable nappies.
- Walker Media Limited (one-day symposium) - $15k to support a kaupapa-driven rangatahi event at Whakarua Park, Ruatōria. It aims to empower rangatahi Māori in Ngāti Porou through the creative arts by bringing together leading Māori creatives to engage with over 300 rangatahi from kura across the region.
- Poverty Bay Agricultural & Pastoral Association - $15k to support the annual A&P show in October. This year marks 150 years since the association’s establishment. The milestone will be celebrated across the showgrounds this year with special events to honour 150 years of the association.
- Gisborne District Council - $15k for the annual Fire in the Sky event on the waterfront of the Tūranganui River. This family-friendly event attracts thousands of locals and visitors annually to welcome the new year with an evening of live entertainment, kai and a world-class fireworks display.
- Walker Media Limited (Māori Millionaire) - $11.5k towards bringing Kahukura Boynton, founder of Māori Millionaire, to Tairāwhiti for a two-day speaking event. Kahukura is a high-impact female business owner, influencer, entrepreneur and content creator. This kaupapa aims to uplift rangatahi, celebrate Māori-led enterprise and strengthen whanaungatanga across kura, marae and business communities in Ruatōria and Gisborne.
- People First NZ - $10k to run workshops for the Tairāwhiti disabled community, supporting people with learning disabilities, their whānau, supporters and organisations to amplify their voices and share inclusive information.
- Auckland District Kidney Society Incorporated - $10k to enable a Community Health Educator from the Kidney Society to deliver care across Tairāwhiti.
Regional Events Fund recipient
- Working Late Limited - $15k towards marketing costs for the final Long Line Classic event this Labour weekend. The group aims to ensure a vibrant and sold-out final event by boosting marketing efforts and operational support. Marketing efforts will encourage attendees to stay in the region longer over the long weekend and emphasise the importance of supporting local businesses, creatives and culture.
The Regional Events Fund supports events that help attract and promote Tairāwhiti as a visitor destination.
Regional Event Fund guidelines
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.