Applications are now open for the Creative Communities Scheme, helping turn your arts, music or cultural project into something the whole community can enjoy.
Whether it’s theatre, visual arts, weaving, dance, film or something entirely different, your project could be next in line for support. Waipā District Council has around $50,000 to distribute across the September 2026 and March 2027 funding rounds, thanks to Creative New Zealand. Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000.
Previous recipient Bodie Taylor, cultural advisor and community and arts lead at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, received funding to support the creation of three poupou carvings now on display at the sanctuary. These poupou honour over 20 years of native bird translocations and the iwi who gifted the birds through a process called 'tono'.
“The poupou acknowledge all the iwi groups, community groups, DOC support and specialists who have contributed to our sanctuary over the years. Without the tono process, we wouldn’t have the relationships and stories that come with our birds, or the intimate connections with the people and lands those birds came from,” Bodie said.
“The Creative Communities Scheme funding enabled us to bring Taj Te Winaka of Raukawa, a talented young carver, on board to create the poupou and gave him the opportunity to develop his skills and interact with visitors. They were able to ask Taj questions about the significance of the carvings while he worked onsite.”
To be eligible for funding, the project must meet at least one of the three criteria: youth engagement, access and participation in the arts, and/or diversity. Applications are assessed by a committee of local arts representatives, who allocate funding on behalf of Creative New Zealand.
Help bring more creativity to life in our community – apply now before this funding round closes on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Creative communities funding - Waipa District Council.
