Development | Grant
Ngāi Tahu Fund
Opens Jan 1, 2026.
Closes Mar 31, 2026.
Ngāi Tahu culture is unique and enduring. It encompasses our values and traditions, our language and whakapapa.
These are the elements that tell us where we have come from, how we lived, who we were and who we are today.
In 2005, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu established the Ngāi Tahu Fund to ensure whānau have the ability to access resources to strengthen Ngāi Tahu cultural excellence through sustainability, innovation and tenacity.
Find out more about the Fund’s background and past projects.
Registered tribal members and Ngāi Tahu associated groups can apply for funding for projects designed to meet specific cultural objectives, including building cultural knowledge, encouraging cultural practices and leadership.
The growth of tribal cultural capacity is essential to protect and preserve our culture for the future.
Reading the practical application guide is a mandatory first step before you apply. It contains the key outcomes, criteria, and background of the Fund and it’ll help you with the application.
Eligibility
Small Projects
- Registered with Ngāi Tahu Whakapapa
- Over 18 years old
Medium and Large Projects
- Legal entity with a Ngāi Tahu association
- Expressions of interest required, please contact the Grants team in advance of applying
- Multi-year funding considered for Large projects
Level of funding available
- Small Projects up to $5,000
- Medium Projects $5,000 to $30,000
- Large Projects $30,000 and over
Open/Close Dates
There are two funding rounds per year:
- 1 January to 30 March
- 1 July to 31 September
What you will need
- To apply on Te Kopa Ora - Ngāi Tahu Grants Portal using your Ngāi Tahu log in details
- This includes your six-digit whakapapa registration number and password to log in.
- If you do not have these details, please call our contact centre on 0800 524 8248 (0800 Kāi Tahu).
- If you do not recall the password, please click on the ‘Forgot your password?’ link here.
- If you are an organisation or legal entity, please contact us directly for information on how to log in to Te Kopa Ora.
Timeframes
The Ngāi Tahu Funds Committee meet in May and November to assess all applications from the respective round.
Approved projects will be funded at the end of May or November, depending on the round. Projects cannot start before this, as we do not fund work already completed
Registration with Ngāi Tahu
If you are not yet registered with Ngāi Tahu, we encourage you to begin the process. More information available here.
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248) or 03 974 0326
Before you start, download the Application Checklist below to help you prepare. It’ll make the application easier to complete.
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