Community organisations across Waitematā have benefitted from grant funding from Waitematā Local Board.
Over $25,000 was allocated this month through the board’s Waitematā Quick Response Grants programme.
The recipients include the organisation Reading Warrior for their Kāinga Pukapuka programme which gifts packs of books to children through their schools so that they can start or add to their own home library.
Reading Warrior founder David Riley says the books in the Kāinga Pukapuka programme are specifically chosen so that children from different cultural groups can experience the thrill of reading books they can engage and connect with.
“The books feature Māori and Pasifika role models in a range of fields including medicine, science, literature and sport. As well as opening rangatahi and families' minds to exciting future options they have, it counters negative stereotyping about young people often encountered in the media.
“Our programme gives children who might not have many books at home, 20 brand new books to grow their own home library.
“Many children are trailing other children in literacy in Aotearoa. We’re committed to changing this, ensuring all children in Aotearoa have the same opportunities. Kāinga Pukapuka seeks to provide books for all ages, helping communities to share their own stories – often in their home language”, says David.
Waitematā Local Board Chair Richard Northey says the board is pleased to support Kāinga Pukapuka to distribute books to schools across the local board area.
“Improving outcomes for young Māori in our local board area and supporting our diverse communities to thrive are priorities for our board.
“Kāinga Pukapuka is a fantastic programme that contributes towards these priorities. We look forward to watching the programme grow as it becomes more established across Tāmaki Makaurau,” he said.
The board’s grant programmes provide funding to communities undertaking activities in arts and culture, events, community development, environment and natural heritage, historic heritage and sports and recreation.
Priority is given to activities that respond to COVID-19, climate change, homelessness and other activities that fit with the board's three-year Waitematā Local Board Plan [PDF]. Find out more about Waitematā Local Board grants at our website.
