Applications Now Open – Ki te Ara Whakamua Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 18-Sep-2026

The Ki te Ara Whakamua Māori Community Action Fund provides grants to whānau and Māori community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand to develop culturally grounded initiatives that reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm. Funding of up to $10,000 for whānau-led initiatives and $25,000 for community-led initiatives is available to support Māori-led solutions that strengthen whānau wellbeing, resilience, leadership, knowledge, and community participation. What Is the Ki te Ara Whakamua Māori Community Action Fund? Ki te Ara Whakamua is a contestable Māori community funding programme designed to support Māori-led approaches to reducing alcohol and other drug harm. The fund recognises that Māori communities can develop effective solutions when initiatives are grounded in Māori knowledge, lived experience, cultural values, whānau leadership, and local community priorities. The programme aims to support practical initiatives that help whānau thrive while strengthening local capability to prevent and respond to AOD-related harm. Why Does the Fund Matter? Alcohol and other drug harm can affect individuals, whānau, and wider communities in complex ways. The fund supports community-led responses that recognise the importance of culturally appropriate approaches rather than relying solely on standard models of AOD support. The programme builds on previous funding rounds that have supported innovative Māori-led initiatives across Aotearoa. What Are the Main Objectives? The fund is structured around several Māori concepts and approaches that guide supported activities.

Rangatiratanga: Growing Local Leaders

The programme supports rangatiratanga, or Māori leadership and self-determination, by helping communities develop local champions who can lead AOD harm reduction activities.

Projects may strengthen:

Community leadership. Local capability. Whānau leadership. Peer support. Community ownership of solutions.

Mātauranga: Building Knowledge and Skills

Mātauranga refers to knowledge and understanding. Funded initiatives can help communities build awareness, knowledge, and practical skills related to alcohol and other drug harm. This can include activities that enable whānau to better understand risks, prevention, wellbeing, and available approaches to support.

Wānanga: Co-Creating and Sharing Solutions

Wānanga supports learning, discussion, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge.

Projects can bring people together to:

Discuss local AOD challenges. Share experiences. Develop solutions collectively. Learn from community knowledge. Share successful approaches with others.

Rangahau: Drawing on Māori Experience and Evidence

Rangahau involves research, inquiry, and learning. The fund encourages applicants to draw on Māori experience, community knowledge, and available evidence when developing their initiatives. What Funding Is Available? The programme has two funding streams. Whānau-Led Initiatives Whānau-led initiatives can apply for up to $10,000 per application. This stream is intended for recognised whānau or hapū groups developing community-based responses to alcohol and other drug harm. Community-Led Initiatives Māori-led community groups and providers can apply for up to $25,000 per application. This stream can support broader community initiatives designed and delivered through Māori leadership. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The fund is open to eligible whānau, hapū, Māori community groups, and Māori-led providers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Applicants must fall into one of the eligible categories. Recognised Whānau or Hapū Groups Whānau or hapū groups may apply if they: Are a recognised whānau or hapū group. Have a registered bank account. Can meet the programme’s application and funding requirements. Māori-Led Community Groups and Providers Māori-led community groups or providers must: Be Māori-led. Be established as a legal entity or registered charity in New Zealand. Meet the fund’s relevant application requirements. What Types of Initiatives Can the Fund Support? The fund is intended for initiatives that contribute to reducing alcohol and other drug harm and improving whānau outcomes. Potential activities should demonstrate a clear connection to the programme’s objectives, such as: Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed initiative responds to a genuine need within their whānau or community. How to Develop a Strong Project A strong proposal should clearly connect the community need, proposed activity, Māori-led approach, and expected outcomes.

Applicants should consider:

What AOD-related issue is affecting the community? Who will benefit from the initiative? Why is a Māori-led approach appropriate? What activities will be delivered? How will whānau participate? What changes are expected? How will the initiative strengthen local capability? How will the project contribute to healthier and more resilient whānau? How to Apply

Step 1: Identify the Appropriate Funding Stream

Determine whether the initiative is best suited to the whānau-led or community-led stream. Whānau-led applicants can seek up to $10,000, while eligible community-led applicants can seek up to $25,000.

Step 2: Define the Local AOD Challenge

Clearly identify the alcohol and other drug harm issue the project intends to address. Use local knowledge, whānau experiences, community feedback, and relevant evidence where appropriate.

Step 3: Develop a Māori-Led Solution

Explain how the project will be led by Māori and how it reflects Māori values, knowledge, experience, and community priorities. The proposal should demonstrate genuine community ownership rather than simply adapting an externally designed programme.

Step 4: Establish Clear Activities

Describe exactly what will happen during the project. For example, activities could involve community learning, leadership development, awareness initiatives, collaborative wānanga, or other locally appropriate approaches.

Step 5: Define Expected Outcomes

Explain how