Funding, scholarships and opportunities for Māori in one searchable place. Every listing is read from the funder's own page before it goes up. Closed rounds drop off by themselves. Annual rounds stay up so you know what to watch for.
Every listing is read against the funder's own page by a person, and each one shows the date. An automated check every fortnight flags funder pages that have changed, and those get re-read first. Next automated check: Monday 26 October.
New Plymouth District Council / Creative New Zealand
Funding for local arts projects that build community participation, cultural diversity or youth engagement in the arts.
New PlymouthAhureaHaporiRangatahi
Before you apply
The local advisory committee's stated priorities (a guide only, not an eligibility test) include projects that "carry forward mātauranga, uplift the next generation of creatives, and have a long-term vision." Creative Taranaki runs free drop-in sessions and one-on-one funding clinics ahead of each round. Apply through SmartyGrants. Decisions land within five working days of the committee meeting, 6–7 weeks after the round closes.
Who
Read on the council's page, quoted verbatim: the project must "take place within New Plymouth District and benefit local communities," and meet one of the national CCS criteria — participation, cultural diversity, or enabling young people under 18 to engage with the arts.
Grants assessed quarterly (or until funding is allocated) for projects that maintain or enhance quality of life in the Methven area.
MethvenHapori
Before you apply
Must comply with the council's Community Grants and Funding Policy. grants@adc.govt.nz.
Who
Read on the council's page, quoted verbatim: for "projects that maintain and/or enhance residents' quality of life in the Methven area," run by "non-profit groups and organisations."
Amount
Not published on the funder page — council funds a maximum of 50% of total project cost district-wide
Closes
Assessed four times a year. Round 2 of 2026/27 receives applications 28 July to 19 October 2026, assessed 9 November
Two $1,000 scholarships plus up to 10 weeks of paid council work experience, for school leavers 19 or under starting tertiary study in a council-relevant field.
Gore DistrictRangatahiMātaurangaWorkforce
Before you apply
Studies should be in a council-relevant area, with the option of paid work experience with the council during holiday breaks.
Who
Read on the council's page, quoted verbatim: open to "school leavers aged 19 years or under" who are "going on to study at a tertiary level," are "dedicated to studying," and have "a clear vision of the goals they want to achieve."
$10,000 one-year scholarship with Beca, plus a potential summer internship and mentorship, for a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei uri in the second or final year of an undergraduate degree relevant to Beca's fields.
“A domestic student (i.e., a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident); A registered member of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei; Must be completing your second or final year of your undergraduate degree in 2027, studying full-time; and Pursuing studies in a field relevant to Beca's areas of expertise.”
Whakapapa
Registered hapū member of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Study
Undergraduate
Amount
$10,000 for one year, plus potential summer internship and mentorship opportunities
Rangatahi-led participatory grants up to $30,000 for environmental projects across Northern and Central Kaipara, decided by a panel of six rangatahi.
Northern and Central KaiparaTaiaoRangatahiLeadershipMāori-led
Before you apply
A participatory grant-making fund led by a panel of six rangatahi representing different rohe across Northern and Central Kaipara, selected by the iwi leaders of Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua and Te Uri o Hau — the rangatahi themselves make the funding decisions rather than a funder committee. This round is supported jointly by Foundation North and Clare Foundation.
“He pihinga i te onemata, ka puāwai | A seedling that is planted in fertile soil will thrive.”
Vision, quoted: “To grow and uplift Kaipara rangatahi to carry mātauranga Māori and reconnect to their tūrangawaewae through whakapapa so whānau and te Taiao are nourished, sustained, and thrive for generations to come.”
This is a contestable fund, so eligible applications may exceed what can be funded. Projects must not start before a funding decision is made. Decisions are expected within 10 weeks of the closing date — the fund's own page gives "End November - Mid December 2026" for this round. Late applications may not be accepted, and applicants must disclose any other funding or resources contributing to the project.
Questions about the fund or a kaupapa: temahuriotetaiao@gmail.com. Technical/application support: 0800 272 878 or jana.wilson@foundationnorth.org.nz.
Who
"Your project must have charitable purpose." "Projects must be rangatahi-focused, supporting young people aged 16–25 years," "support environmental practices that restore, protect or improve our environment and/or have a positive impact on te Taiao," and "benefit communities and take place within the Northern and Central Kaipara region." At least one focus area must apply: revitalisation of te Taiao (native birds, plants, ngāngara, ngahere, moana, waterways, including clean drinking water and safe places to swim), building rangatahi leadership in te Taiao, growing understanding of mātauranga Māori to protect te Taiao, or connecting people and communities to te Taiao.
Amount
Applicants can apply for up to $30,000. $150,000 total is available this round.
$5,000 to $30,000 to protect, restore or enhance significant biodiversity and indigenous habitat on private land in South Taranaki.
South TaranakiTaiaoWhenua
Before you apply
Council funding is meant to be complementary rather than the primary source — priority goes to applicants who are seeking or have already secured other funding. Multi-year grants are considered but can be revoked at council's discretion. Non-SNA sites must already have, or commit to gaining within 12 months, legal protection such as a QEII covenant. 0800 111 323, Environment and Sustainability team.
Who
Read on the council's page, quoted verbatim: funds "protection, restoration and enhancement of areas of significant biodiversity, indigenous vegetation and/or significant habitats of indigenous fauna on private land in the District." Both individuals and organisations can apply.
Amount
$5,000 to $30,000 per grant, though smaller grants are considered case by case. Council contributes up to 50% of costs for a Significant Natural Area, or up to a third for other legally protected sites
The pūtea is out there. Finding it is the hard part.
Funding for Māori kaupapa sits with government agencies, councils, iwi and hapū trusts, universities, wānanga, community trusts and gaming societies. Each keeps its own page. Most are hard to find unless you already know they exist.
Straight to the source
Every listing links to the funder's page. Nothing here is copied from another directory.
Closed rounds disappear
Anything with a closing date comes off the day after it shuts. What you can see is still open.
Read by a person
Every listing is read against the funder's own page before it goes up. Each card shows the date that happened, so you can judge it yourself.
Enough detail to decide
Who can apply. Whakapapa and residency requirements. Amounts. Closing times. Enough to rule something out fast.
Not finding it here?
Other funding databases, plus past pānui and
articles, live in one place so this page can stay focused on the directory.
A short email when new pūtea goes up and when big rounds are about to
close. Usually one a fortnight. Occasionally something else that matters to the kaupapa.
