Tararua District Creative Communities Scheme
The Creative Communities New Zealand funding scheme supports and encourages local communities to create and present diverse opportunities for accessing and participating in arts activities in their area, or for a defined community of interest.
The scheme supports a wide range of arts projects under the following art forms - craft/object arts, dance, inter-arts, literature, Māori arts, multi-art forms (including film, music, Pacific arts, theatre, and visual arts.
Under the scheme, “the arts” is defined as “all forms of creative and interpretative expression”
Current Round(s):
| Opens | Closes | Decisions due by |
| 1 September 2025 | 30 September 2025 | Late-October 2025 |
| 1 March 2026 | 31 March 2026 | Late-April 2026 |
Who can apply?
- An application can be from an individual or from a group.
- Individual applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
- If you’ve previously received funding under the Creative Communities Scheme, either as an individual or as a member of a group, you must have completed a project report for the earlier project before any further applications from you will be considered.
Guidelines and Application
This guidelines brochure (309KB pdf) tells you if your project can be funded through the Creative Communities Scheme and how to make an application.
Reporting Requirements
Recipients of the Creative Communities are required to submit a report 12 months after receiving their grant (or once project is completed).
A single report must be submitted upon project completion, summarising the outcomes, lessons learned, and providing a detailed account of how the funds were spent, including receipts and invoices.
The report must be completed using the downloadable form or via the online portal. Failure to submit the report may affect eligibility for future funding.
Download the Reporting Template
For more information, contact:
Scheme Administrator
Sarah Fountaine
06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110
grants@tararuadc.govt.nz
Previous recipients:
The Creative Communities fund awarded 6 applicants funding totalling $10,724.98 for the March 2025 funding round.
Applicant | Project | Amount |
Tamandu Trust | Sunday Afternoon Live Music | $1,000 |
Dannevirke Theatre | Last of the Summer Wine Production | $4,004.98 |
Tararua REAP | School Kapa Haka Festival | $2,500 |
Woodville Art and History | 150 Commemorating 150 years in Woodville | $1,045 |
Can Inspire Charitable Trust | Can Bead program for Dannevirke | $700 |
Jane Ross | Film Exploring Stories of Craftspeople | $1,475 |
Total | $10,724.98 |
The Creative Communities fund received a record 18 applications, requesting $72,500 worth of funding support. With approximately $19,500.00 available to be distributed, the assessment committee spent a lot of time deliberating over the funding requests.
Applicant | Project | Amount |
Woodville Old Folks Association | To compile a Woodville Poetry Book to celebrate 150 years | $1500.00 |
Dannevirke Fantasy Cave | Pop up Christmas Cave | $1000.00 |
Sandra Duncan | Painting and clay sculptures workshop in Pahiatua | $1500.00 |
Lisa Galloway | Line Dancing School | $350.00 |
Hinetewhiurangi Kani | Painting Wānanga | $343.40 |
David Selfe | NZ Airforce Band Concert | $1500.00 |
Tararua REAP | School Kapa Haka Festival | $2000.00 |
Mathew Nisbet | Ceramics workshop | $1500.00 |
Dannevirke Theatre | Productions of “Annie” | $2500.00 |
Wairarapa REAP | Tararua region landscape backdrop | $1970.00 |
Dannevirke South School | South School Soiree | $1874.00 |
Dannevirke Highland Band | Drum tutoring costs | $1500.00 |
Woodville Art & History | Matariki Art Exhibition | $2000.00 |
The Creative Communities fund granted a total of $11,707.98 for the first funding round. The next round will take place in March 2025.
Applicant | Project | Amount |
H Kani | Create with Uku Workshop | $453.00 |
Les Chevaliers | Across the Ages - A Day In Time Event - Eketāhuna | $5,000.00 |
Emma Elliott | Pahiatua Community Garden Mural | $2,000.00 |
Vicky Tomlinson | Woodville 150 Years - The Joy of Music Classes | $2,400.00 |
Te Au A Turanga Marae | Waiata, Kapa Haka, Mau Rakau, Weaving and Tukutuku | $300.00 |
Mangatainoka School | Creation of Kapa Haka Uniforms | $,1533.98 |