Applications open for Media Travel Grants (New Zealand)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Media Travel Grants support New Zealand-based journalists to undertake independent reporting trips to Asia for up to three weeks. The grants can cover most work-related travel costs, including return economy airfares, accommodation, insurance, visas, airport taxes, and other approved expenses. The programme aims to strengthen New Zealand media coverage of Asia and improve public understanding of economic, political, social, and strategic developments across the region. Asia New Zealand Foundation Media Travel Grants – Overview The Media Travel Grants are administered through the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Asia Media Centre. The programme enables New Zealand-based journalists to travel to Asia, conduct first-hand research, interview relevant sources, and develop stories for New Zealand media. The grants are intended to improve the breadth and depth of reporting about Asia in New Zealand, particularly by supporting journalism that explores important changes in the region and their implications for New Zealand. Key Details

- Grant: Asia New Zealand Foundation Media Travel Grants

- Funder: Asia New Zealand Foundation

- Administered by: Asia Media Centre

- Location: New Zealand journalists reporting from Asia

- Travel Duration: Up to 3 weeks

- Purpose: Independent journalism and reporting from Asia

- Eligible Applicants: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents working as journalists

- Eligible Journalists: Journalists employed by New Zealand news organisations and New Zealand-based freelancers

- Eligible Costs: Airfares, accommodation, insurance, visas, airport taxes, and other work-related expenses

- Priority: Applicants with a proven journalism record and potential to reach a substantial audience

- Assessment: Competitive panel including external newsroom representatives

- Decision Timeframe: Approximately 3 weeks after application

- Post-Grant Requirement: 800–1,000-word article, experience and expenditure report, and sharing of experience in New Zealand

What Are the Grants Designed to Achieve? The programme aims to strengthen New Zealanders’ understanding of Asia by enabling journalists to report directly from countries across the region.

The grants seek to:

- Increase the breadth of Asia-related reporting in New Zealand. - Improve the depth and quality of coverage of Asian issues. - Support first-hand journalism and research. - Help journalists investigate economic developments in Asia. - Explore political and social changes across the region. - Examine strategic developments and their implications for New Zealand. - Increase public understanding of Asia. - Support journalism that reaches a substantial New Zealand audience. What Types of Stories Can Be Supported? The programme is suitable for journalism projects that investigate significant developments in Asia and explain their relevance to New Zealand audiences.

Proposed stories may focus on:

- Economic changes. - Political developments. - Social issues. - Strategic and regional developments. - Emerging trends affecting Asian societies. - Issues with implications for New Zealand. - Relationships between Asian countries and New Zealand. - Other Asia-related topics that can increase public understanding of the region. The strongest proposals should have a clear reporting purpose and demonstrate why first-hand research in Asia is necessary. What Costs Can the Grant Cover? The grant can be used to cover most work-related costs associated with an approved reporting trip.

Eligible costs may include:

- Return economy airfares. - Accommodation. - Travel insurance. - Visa costs. - Airport taxes. - Other reasonable work-related expenses. The Foundation may not be able to fund the full cost of every proposed project, so applicants should prepare a realistic budget and clearly identify the total amount required. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

They must:

- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. - Currently work as a journalist for a New Zealand news organisation, or work as a freelance journalist based in New Zealand. - Intend to continue living in New Zealand for at least one year after completing the project. - Propose an independent reporting project in Asia. - Demonstrate how the project will increase New Zealanders’ understanding of Asia. Additional Requirements for Employed Journalists Journalists working for a New Zealand news organisation should provide a letter of support from their employer. The letter should demonstrate organisational support for the proposed reporting trip and help establish the intended publishing or broadcasting pathway. Additional Requirements for Freelance Journalists Freelance journalists should provide correspondence demonstrating that their proposed work will be published or broadcast by a news organisation. This helps demonstrate that the proposed reporting has a clear pathway to reach New Zealand audiences. What Makes a Strong Application? Applicants are expected to provide a well-defined story plan.

A strong proposal should include:

- The main story or reporting concept. - Proposed features or stories. - Key interviewees or sources. - Intended publication or broadcast outlets. - Supporting letters from editors or producers. - Proposed travel itinerary. - Detailed costs and budget. - Explanation of why first-hand reporting is important. - Expected benefit to New Zealand audiences. Preference is given to applicants with a proven journalism track record and those who can demonstrate that their reporting will reach a substantial audience. How the Media Travel Grant Works Step 1 – Develop a Reporting Idea Identify an Asia-related issue that requires first-hand research and reporting. The proposed story should have clear relevance to New Zealand audiences. Step 2 – Develop the Story Plan Prepare a detailed plan covering the proposed features, reporting objectives, interviewees, locations, and intend