2026 funding round released

A record amount of nearly $400,000 has been granted by the Te Tai Pari Board in Waitara.
Following 35 applications, 29 grants have been awarded to organisations and individuals that are based in Waitara. The Te Tai Pari Board administers a fund that was established under the Waitara Lands Act. That fund has grown now to over $26,000,000.
The amount available for release is based off a specific calculation and the allocation for 2026 was $393,713, some $85,000 more than the 2025 distribution. Similar size increases are expected over the next few years, with annual grants likely to exceed $1,000,000.
“We were pleased with the quantity and quality of the applications,” Marion James, Chair of the Board said. “Over the past year we have endeavoured to raise the profile of Te Tai Pari, and this was reflected in the increased number of applications.”
Grants have been awarded to a wide-variety of organisations that are making a positive contribution to Waitara, James said.
Cultural groups received the largest portion of funding at a combined total of $172,1750, while sporting organisations (20%), community support groups (18%) and education institutions (14%) were also granted significant amounts.
The full list of grants awarded were:
BRASA Waitara Inc $15,000.00 Installation of heat pumps
Fraser Tuuta $2,000.00 Star Rugby League Academy programme
Gymnastics Waitara $7,500.00 Operational expenses (lease and maintenance costs)
He Rau Oranga Trust $12,000.00 Host five Markets (Co-ordinator, insurance, entertainment)
Kart Sport Taranaki $2,000.00 Raise height of track fence
Mahia Mai A Whai Tara Trust $12,000.00 Wages
Manukorihi Hapu Charitable Trust $62,000.00 Office upgrade
Manukorihi Pa Trustees $60,150.00 Build retaining wall
North Taranaki Sport and Recreation Incorporated $10,000.00 Wages, programme needs, new basketball hoop
Orapa Kindergarten $1,705.84 Digital devices, smart TV, iPad
Otaraua Hapu Management Committee Inc $50,000.00 Operating expenses and wages
St Josephs School Waitara $10,000.00 Year 7&8 sports camp in Matamata
Taranaki Country Music Festival $4,424.30 Equipment and traffic management for festival
Taranaki Dragons $5,500.00 Life jackets
Te Hokai Mua Trust $3,392.50 Venue hire costs for 59 programme nights
Toni Kingi $1,500.00 First year of Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki $14,000.00 Installation of a solar and battery system
Tysons Netball Club $5,000.00 Venue hire, replacement netballs, player backpacks
Waitara & Districts Community Childcare $14,000.00 Operating expenses
Waitara Central Kindergarten $10,000.00 Playball, Kapa haka, yoga, plus mural artwork
Waitara Central School $10,000.00 Kapa haka uniforms
Waitara Foodbank – Pataka Kai $7,307.95 Chest freezers (2), vacuum, water blaster, trailer/cage, mops/bucket, chilly bins (2)
Waitara High School $10,000.00 Travel and accommodation for sports teams to NZ events
Waitara Rugby Football League Club $15,000.00 External painting of clubrooms and insurance
Waitara Senior Citizens Association $15,000.00 Roof repairs
Waitara Soccer Club $7,500.00 Equipment, shirts, locks/keys and operational expenses
Waitara Squash Club Inc $6,732.41 Insurance
Waitara Taiohi Trust $15,000.00 Wages, programme delivery, operational expenses
Waitara Whanui Sports Inc $5,000.00 Uniform, equipment, venue hire, transport, affiliation fees