Biodiversity, Community Group and Creativity Grants awarded

Published on 28 April 2025

title.jpg

Waitaki District Council has released the grant awards for the Waitaki Biodiversity Fund, the Community Group Grant and the Creative Community Funding for the first round of 2025.

Councillor Rebecca Ryan, Grant and Awards Sub-Committee Chair, says “We were thrilled to receive so many quality applications across all three funds. It’s a great example of how much passion and pride people have for their communities in Waitaki – and for the environment – and heartening to see so many different people and groups stepping up to make a difference. It’s always a challenge making funding decisions when there are so many worthy initiatives – but we’ve done our best to support a wide range of projects that we hope will have real impact across the district.”

Max Crowe, Waitaki District Council’s Biodiversity Advisor says: "The two projects being funded this round aim to protect the Yellow-eyed Penguin population at Tavora Reserve through pest control, and build on the planting and restoration work taking place on the Pleasant River and Estuary as part of the ORC-led Toitū Te Hakapupu Project - thanks to the applicants for seeking to undertake this important work”

The next funding round for these grants reopens;

• Community Group Grants - Monday 28 July - closes Friday 4 September 2025.

• Waitaki Biodiversity Fund – Monday 5 May – closes Monday 25 August 2025.

• Creative Communities Scheme – Monday 18 August – closes Monday 6 October 2025.

Further information can be found on the following page: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/About-Waitaki/Living-here/Supporting-ourcommunity/Community-Grants-and-Awards

Waitaki Biodiversity Fund

 

Meeting held on the 8 April 2025

 

Application Project Granted 
 Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust

 

 To install traps to target pest control at the Tavora Reserve.

 

 $3074
 Christopher Kensington

 

 Pleasant River Estuary Fencing

 

 $5000

Community Group Grant

Applicant Project Granted
 The Brain Injury Association (Otago) Inc. To enable the service, support and education to grow in the region $1000
 Otematata Bowling Club New colour steel roof $1500
 The Y Central South Island Y-Whanau self-referral parenting programme $2000
North Otago Netball Centre Inc First Aid Kits for courts and representative teams travelling to tournaments  $1500
 Omarama Golf Club Inc. Tree planting programme $600
Maheno Public Hall Society Inc Trestle tables for Hall and for hire $1000
Maheno Netball Club Juniors New netballs and ball pump

$600

 CCS Action Disability Waitaki Inc Purchase a heater for office $320
Special Olympics North Otago Trust To send a team and coaches to the National Summer Games $2000
 Oamaru Spartans Tug-o-war team equipment  
 Scotts Own Sea Scouts Repairs to sailing boats $1233
 Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust Community cam resources  $792
Maheno School School Library refurbishment $1000
North Otago Recreational Turf Trust To replace lighting with LED Lights at the Hockey Turf $7500
Hamraki Rag Printing costs to produce the Hamraki Rag $1500
North Otago Hockey Association U13 representative Ball Kits $600
Waitaki Valley Community Society Kurow Public Toilet Mural $6000
East Otago Musical Theatre Production costs for "Mamma Mia' $3000
Southern Zone Rugby League  South Island 16s &18s Youth Tournament $3000
Oamaru Performing Arts Society Inc Annual Festival of Talent and Competitions $1500
Hakataramea Sustainability Collective Community Native Nursery Biodiversity Project $1500
Oamaru Tap Dancing Association  Tap Dancing Competitions $1000

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Communities

Creative Community Group – Meeting held on the 8 April 2025

 

Applicant Project Granted
 Catherine Irons Classical jazz, world concert $1600
Rachel de Vries An interactive play area with Lego/Duplo/Technic at the 2025 Steampunk Event $900
Alicia Hall Children's workshops using wool as art. $720
Nicols Blacksmith Historic Trust Children's Have-A-Go Blacksmithing sessions $600
Oamaru Tap Dancing Association Tap Dancing competitions. $1100
Among the Stars at Camp Iona An astrophotography camp for local astronomers $1900
North Otago Art Society Inc Class Tutors for workshops $850
Steampunk NZ Inc Society A series of mini workshops to be held during the Steampunk Festival. $600
Oamaru Performing Arts Society Inc Annual weekend of competitions $1600
Judith Stanely Kelp exhibition and workshops $2100
Papakaio School Papakaio School Arts Week - Students to take part in workshops on visual arts $2771

ENDS

 

Tagged as: