Aucklanders wanting to preserve and enhance historic heritage places can seek funding through the Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme which opens for funding next week.
Individual private owners, iwi or Māori groups, community groups, trusts and other organisations can apply for a grant of up to $50,000 to support the protection and improvement of regionally significant historic heritage places, sites, areas and notable trees.
Around 74 per cent of Auckland’s protected heritage places are on private land, which means that landowners bear the costs of preserving this heritage for all Aucklanders.
Auckland Council’s heritage manager, Noel Reardon says that Auckland Council’s grant programme can assist these individuals or groups to continue caring for heritage places, so that local communities and the wider Auckland region can enjoy these special places, rich with history, for years to come.
“We are especially interested in projects that support the kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places. With more than 700 Māori heritage sites protected in the district plans, these places need to be safeguarded and strengthened as they are a precious part of our history in Tāmaki Makaurau”, he says.
The Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme opens for application on 5 September and closes 14 October 2022. Projects that are granted funding will be able to access their funds and begin work from 19 December 2022.
The funding priorities for the 2022/2023 round include:
- Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places
- Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change
- Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places
- Heritage and character in town centres
- Support the retention and maintenance of notable trees.
Success story: Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse
Through the Regional Historic Heritage Grant last round, the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi received funding towards the interior repainting of the Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse. Tiritiri Matangi Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, is well known in the Auckland region for its prominent lighthouse, built in 1864 it is the oldest one still in operation in New Zealand.
The lighthouse interior is now fully restored and protected from corrosion, allowing it to endure for many years into the future. In addition, the complete removal of the original lead-based paint means that the interior of the tower is now safer for people to enter. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi are now undertaking the work to repaint the exterior of the lighthouse.
Learn how to apply through a workshop
You can learn more about these grants and the application process at the online workshops being held as below.
Workshop details:
Workshop 1:
Date: Thursday 8 September 2022
Time: 12 – 1pm
Workshop 2:
Date: Thursday 6 October 2022
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Please RSVP by emailing communityfunding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for the calendar invite.
More information about the Regional Historic Heritage Grants Programme, as well as a link to apply, can be found here.
