Matariki wānanga, youth programs and school trips funded

Community boards in Te Hiku and Kaikohe-Hokianga approved funding for a new round of local projects with a focus on Matariki 2025, youth development, community growth and learning during their May meetings.

In Te Hiku, funding highlights include $5000 each to support: a Matariki wānanga at Wai Ora Marae in Ngātaki: costs towards providing a three-day community event of activities to celebrate Matariki in Ahipara; and the Hui Tāne 2025, a national Māori Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference. The Kaitāia Business Association was granted $5096 to upgrade the town’s CCTV system. Ahipara School received over $15,000 in total towards a new swing set and for 1200 students to attend a Strike Percussive performance, an interactive show that includes percussion instruments from around the world, held at Te Ahu.

Kaikohe-Hokianga’s board backed youth and cultural programmes, including $5983 for an after-school programme run by Tautoro Titans Club and $1844 for a Matariki wānanga focused on carving and waiata based around the Matariki story.

Funding was also allocated to Civil Defence readiness, cultural events, school activities and community infrastructure across both board areas.

A full breakdown of funding decisions by community boards in May can be found on our Far North community board decisions webpage.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board makes decisions on funding applications every second month, with the next funding round set for its June meeting.

Next community board meetings:

Te Hiku Community Board will meet on Tuesday 10 June.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board will meet on Thursday 12 June.

Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board will meet on Friday 13 June.

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Image:  Wai Ora Marae in Ngātaki