Just over $74,000 in community grants were approved in the Trust Tairāwhiti July funding round to enhance education, sports and accessibility initiatives in the Gisborne region. 

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tapere-Nui-A-Whatonga was the biggest recipient, receiving $37,500 for a much-needed school van. 

Located in Rangitukia, 160km from Gisborne, transportation costs challenge the small rural kura. 

The new van will give students improved access to broader community networks, including marae, kohanga reo, other kura and the local church. 

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union is receiving a $13,278 grant to support the growth of women’s and Māori rugby in Tairāwhiti. 

There are two components to this funding: the Tūranga Wāhine seven-week competition featuring four local club teams; the Tūranga Tāne men’s team who will host home games against Wairoa and Hawkes Bay in the lead-up to the Te Upoko o te Ika Māori rugby invitational tournament in Wellington. 

Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti is receiving $10,000 to support the delivery of tailored sports and recreational activities in Tairāwhiti for people living with disabilities and their extended whānau. 

Raparapaririki Charitable Trust has been granted $8000 to deliver three community-wide te reo Māori workshops to strengthen the reo tamariki are exposed to in their homes and the puna reo environment. 

Wainui Playcentre is receiving $5437 for shade sails.  

All successful funding applicants demonstrated outcomes that align with the trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora. 

A new funding round is open now.