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Thirty-one local groups have received nearly $195,000 in the final grants round of the year from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. The funding supports a mix of community initiatives, facility upgrades, and business capacity-building projects. The grants show the board’s ongoing support for projects that strengthen and sustain local communities. |
Thirty-one local groups have received a total of nearly $195,000 in funding from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s final grants round for the financial year.
The funding has been spread across community projects, facility upgrades, and business initiatives. In total, 17 local grants were awarded, 12 facilities grants funded infrastructure improvements, and two grants supported local business associations.
Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum says the local board is pleased to see such a strong and diverse range of applications this round.
“These projects reflect the creativity, dedication, and grassroots energy we’re lucky to have in our community,” says Poppelbaum.
“We know the value that local organisations bring, whether they’re running programmes, hosting events, or maintaining facilities that locals use every day. This funding is about helping them continue their valuable work.”
Helping local businesses
Two business associations received a combined $12,000 to help upskill and support local businesses:
$7,000 to the Torbay Business Association for running workshops aimed at boosting business capability.
$5,000 to the Silverdale Area Business Association for a mentoring programme focused on business resilience and knowledge-sharing.
Poppelbaum says the board recognises the role local businesses play in community wellbeing.
“When our small businesses are strong, our communities are stronger too. These grants help business associations offer practical support that makes a difference and builds local networks.”
Supporting community initiatives
Seventeen community groups received between $1,000 and $5,000 to support projects in sport, the environment, and local events. Highlights include:
- $5,000 to Friends of Okura Bush for weed control on local walkways and reserves
- $3,500 to the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre for wetsuits.
- $2,500 to the Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed for a dust extraction system for woodworking.
- $2,000 to the Long Bay Residents Association for sports gear and venue hire.
- $1,491.40 to the Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater for a community fundraising event.
- $1,000 to the Whangaparāoa Tennis Club to refurbish its coaches’ hut.
“We see so many groups doing amazing things on tight budgets and even relatively small grants can go a long way,” says Poppelbaum.
Funding facility fixes
Twelve facilities grants, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, will help repair and upgrade important community infrastructure. Key grants include:
- $25,000 to the Hibiscus Youth Hub for urgent roof repairs.
- $20,000 each to the Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and the Torbay Community Association for facility improvements.
- $14,835 to the Mairangi Bay Tennis Club to replace wind-damaged floodlights.
- $14,000 to the Browns Bay Bowling Club for window replacements.
- $9,000 to Centrestage Theatre to upgrade stage lighting.
“These are spaces that locals rely on every week,” says Poppelbaum. “We want to make sure they’re safe, accessible, and fit for purpose. Supporting facility upgrades is one of the most effective ways we can invest in the long-term health of our communities.”
The full list of grants is available in the May business meeting agenda on the Auckland Council website.
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Keen to be in the driver's seat and steer some of this progress for Auckland? Stand for council in Auckland's Local Elections 2025. Nominations open 4 July 2025 and close 1 August 2025, midday. If you'd like to learn more about what's involved in standing, visit Vote Auckland. |
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