DOC Community Fund — Pūtea Tautiaki Hapori

A multi-million-dollar biennial fund for threatened species, ecosystem and cultural heritage projects, requiring iwi/hapū/whānau engagement unless mana whenua led.

Closes

The 2026 round is closed (121 applications received, requesting over $69 million); check DOC for the next round's dates

Who can apply

Community-led groups — whānau, hapū, iwi, community conservation groups, not-for-profit organisations or umbrella groups — for threatened species and ecosystem projects, or cultural heritage projects. Engagement with iwi/hapū/whānau is mandatory unless the project is mana whenua led. Minimum request $150,000, with a minimum 50% co-funding contribution required. Projects run one to three years.

Amount

The 2026 round awarded $9.2 million across 20 groups, from a $7.2 million threatened-species/ecosystem stream and a $2 million cultural heritage stream

Funding route

Grant

Applicants

Marae & hapū, Community groups, Iwi & Māori organisations, Organisations & providers

Before you apply

The $150,000 minimum request is a high bar for smaller marae or hapū groups — worth pairing with smaller funds (Lottery Community Facilities, council grants) rather than treating as a first port of call.

Official source →

Checked 17 September 2026

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Details change without notice. Check the funder's own page before you apply. Tōku Waka does not administer, assess or award this funding.