Te Māhuri o te Taiao

“He pihinga i te onemata, ka puāwai | A seedling that is planted in fertile soil will thrive.”

• The fund opens: 16 September 2026
• The fund closes: 21 October 2026
• You will be notified about a decision by: End November - Mid December 2026

• Total funds available: $150,000

Please read all the application guides below for information about eligibility, funding available, supporting documents, and how to apply.

Using a computer? Find the guides on the right.
Using a mobile phone? Scroll down to view all guides.

“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.”

• Whakapapa
• Mana Motuhake
• Grounded in Local Knowledge
• Active in our Communities
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Auahatanga
• Ambition
• Supporting rangatahi to become rangatira

To be considered for funding, projects must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants can apply for up to $30,000 in funding.
• Your project must have charitable purpose (See Guide 3)
• Projects must be rangatahi-focused, supporting young people aged 16–25 years.
• Projects must support environmental practices that restore, protect or improve our environment and/or have a positive impact on te Taiao. 
• Projects must benefit communities and take place within the Northern and Central Kaipara region. (See map image below for boundaries)

To be considered for funding, your project must demonstrate that there is alignment with at least one of these focus areas: 

• Revitalisation of te Taiao such as native birds, plants, ngāngara, ngahere, moana, waterways, (including clean drinking water and safe places to swim) 
• Build & nurture local Rangatahi leadership in te Taiao 
• Increase understanding of mātauranga Māori to protect and preserve te Taiao.
• Connecting people and communities to our Taiao.  

• Projects must not start before funding decisions are made.
• Please plan your project timeline so you can start after funding has been confirmed.
• Late applications may not be accepted.
• We expect funding decisions to be made within 10 weeks of the application closing date.
• This is a contestable fund, so we may receive more eligible applications than we can fund.
• Tell us about any other funding or resource that will be contributing to the project.
• If your project changes after funding is approved, you may need to check with the panel before using the funding differently.
• If successful, you will need to agree to the funding conditions before payment is made.

Have questions about the fund or your kaupapa? Email temahuriotetaiao@gmail.com with your contact information and query.

Having technical issues? Reach out to our funding support team on 0800 272 878 or email - jana.wilson@foundationnorth.org.nz for further guidance.