Grants help community groups help you

Publish Date : 26 Oct 2023
Assitance Dog
Assistance dogs do an amazing job helping people in the community but like any pup, they still have to be fed, wormed and flea treated while they are trained.

More than $50,000 has been allocated to community groups as Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board grants.

Applications totalled just short of $275,000, far outstripping the board’s budget.

Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says despite that, members were pleased to have been able to support groups and organisations working in a wide variety of areas in the community.

“Deciding on grants is always challenging.

“The applications are always from people looking to pursue things they are passionate about, they are from groups that rely on huge amounts of volunteer support, and they always need far more than we can hope to give.
“In this round we have been able to support everything from Chinese opera to mobility assistance dogs, and from basketball coaching to assistance for those in our community who are dealing with grief.”

He says making sure the available budget goes as far as possible means most groups don’t receive all that they ask for, while others miss out entirely.

“The call on funds tells us groups are struggling to get the backing they need. We would encourage those who haven’t been successful to apply again in future rounds.”

Successful applicants

  • Manukau Beijing Opera Society, Papatoetoe venue hire

  • Mobility Assistance Dogs, dog food

  • Auckland Basketball, coaching fees

  • Grief Support Trust, venue hire

  • Auckland Seniors Network, Ōtara Music Arts Centre event costs

  • Murdoch Park Kindergarten, zero waste and gardening needs

  • Community Builders Trust, Ōtara Youth Hub costumes and instruments

  • Ōtara Business Association, town centre Christmas event

  • Counties Manukau Touch, venue hire and equipment

  • Te Whakaora Tangata Trust, event catering

  • Naad Charitable Trust, Papatoetoe Town Hall venue hire and other costs

  • XLR8 Sports Trust, Christmas event costs

  • Papatoetoe Historical Society, laptop

  • Youthline, staff training

  • Mafutaga Tama, various garden and event costs

  • Damoni Senior Citizens, venue hire

  • Papatoetoe Adolescent Christian Trust, boxing programme

  • TYLA Trust, venue hire and awards costs

  • Life Education, lesson delivery at Ormiston Primary

  • Action Education, Papatoetoe High and Tangaroa College facilitator costs.

The board also made three multi-board grants, totalling $7,500. The grants go to groups that may be outside the area but which operate within it.

  • Te Whānau o Waipareira, Māori Rugby League tournament (Ngāti Ōtara Park)

  • Ngapuhi Ki Tāmaki, Ngapuhi Ki Tāmaki Waiata and Hitori project costs

  • Bravo Company Trust, well-being for fathers project.

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