Thirty-one recipients will receive a funding boost of $482,400 in the first round of Auckland Council’s Regional Arts and Culture Grants Programme for 2025/2026.
This funding will enable a variety of high-quality performances, festivals and workshops to be delivered across the region for audiences of all ages to look forward to in the year ahead.
Approved by the council’s Community Committee on 23 September 2025, the grants range from $5000 to $45,000 a year for multiple years to support organisers and performers.
Councillor Angela Dalton, chair of the Community Committee, says the funding reflects an ongoing commitment to support inclusive and accessible arts experiences.
“This programme recognises the ongoing benefits that providers of art and culture in Tāmaki Makaurau bring to our communities. These grants help all Aucklanders to experience the thrill of seeing or being involved in creative works.”
General Manager of Community Wellbeing Kenneth Aiolupotea says an exceptional range of creative performances lie ahead, for all Aucklanders to enjoy.
“From street dancing championships to school theatre performances, these grants will support a wide range of talented creatives from communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.”
The grants are distributed across three categories:
• Audience Development and Programming: Supporting one-off events and experiences that attract regional audiences – potentially not possible without funding.
• Business and Capacity Development: Assisting organisations with strategic planning, feasibility studies, and digital transformation.
• Strategic Relationship Grants: Providing multi-year support to established organisations delivering cornerstone arts programmes.
Among the recent recipients are:
• Te Tuhi Contemporary Art Trust – $20,000 to support Te Ana o Hine: a carving shed led by women.
• Glass Ceiling Arts Collective – $10,000 for the 2025 production of Through the Roof and $8,400 for website development; supporting arts for people from marginalised communities and young people with disabilities.
• Auckland Pride Festival – $30,000 per year for two years to support a year-round arts capability and capacity building initiative.
• Auckland Festival of Photography – $45,000 per year over three years to deliver New Zealand’s premium international photographic festival alongside events throughout the year.
Catherine George, Auckland Council’s Regional Funding Advisor, highlights the programme’s focus on equity and inclusion.
“We prioritise projects that reach Aucklanders who may not otherwise have access to arts and cultural experiences. This funding helps grow a culturally rich and inclusive region,” says Ms George.
A swimmer 'Takes the leap' in entry to the Auckland Festival of Photography, captured by Lambert Laluz.
A swimmer 'Takes the leap' in entry to the Auckland Festival of Photography, captured by Lambert Laluz.
The Regional Arts and Culture Grants Programme aligns with the Toi Whītiki – Arts and Culture Strategic Action Plan and contributes to the goals of the Auckland Plan by integrating arts and culture into everyday life.
The contestable programme has a total budget of $1,358,506 for the 2025/2026 financial year, to be allocated in two funding rounds.
Applications for Round Two of the programme will open on 1 October 2025 and close on 26 January 2026, with funding decisions announced in March 2026. More information is available by searching at aucklandcoucil.govt.nz
More than 840,000 people attended events and activities made possible through the programme in 2023/2024, with a total of $1,294,551 allocated to 56 organisations.
A young boy heads home in an image captured by Sarah Macmillan; 'After Rugby Practice'. Her photo won first prize in this year's Auckland Festival of Photography, which is supported Auckland Council.
A young boy heads home in an image captured by Sarah Macmillan; 'After Rugby Practice'. Her photo won first prize in this year's Auckland Festival of Photography, which is supported Auckland Council.
Regional Arts and Culture Grants round one allocation
Audience Development and Programming
| Applicant | Activity | Amount Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Arts East | Chinese Art Appreciation Programme | $10,000 |
| Audio Foundation | Audio Foundation Public Programmes 2025/26 | $15,000 |
| Body Island | Mythsomia dance theatre | $16,000 |
| Girls Rock Aotearoa | To The Front Tāmaki Makaurau 2026 | $5,000 |
| Glass Ceiling Arts Collective | Through The Roof 2025 | $10,000 |
| Hand Pulled Collective | Pork and Poll Taxes 2026 | $10,000 |
| Hawaiiki Tū Productions | Tū Mata Kōkiri - Creative Arts Leadership performance | $8,000 |
| LH Combine and Paeaneer Foundation | Beatdown International Street Dance Championships 2025 | $12,000 |
| MyLaunchPad | FETU Creative Forum | $10,000 |
| Nightsong | Regional Auckland Touring Project for Tamariki & Whānau | $10,000 |
| NZ Barok Incorporated | NZ Barok 2026 annual programme | $5,000 |
| NZ Choral Federation Inc | Tāmaki Makaurau SingFest 2025 | $5,000 |
| Proudly Asian Theatre | Fresh Off The Page - Proudly Asian Theatre | $10,000 |
| Prowl Productions Ltd | Prowl Mini Fest for Auckland Pride | $15,000 |
| Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre | Community music for tangata whaikaha | $10,000 |
| Samesame But Different | Samesame But Different LGBTQIA+ Festival | $16,000 |
| Save Fine Arts Library Trust | Samoa House Library programme | $10,000 |
| Te Kowhai Print Trust Inc | Printopia 2026 | $15,000 |
| Te Pou | WET, a new theatre work by Tūī Matelau | $10,000 |
| Te Tuhi Contemporary Art Trust | Te Ana o Hine: a carving shed for women at Te Tuhi | $20,000 |
| The Little Family Foundation | All Ages Live | $10,000 |
| Theatre in Schools Aotearoa | Theatre in Schools Aotearoa - pilot | $15,000 |
| Toi Ora | Innovative creative classes for whānau and supporters | $10,000 |
| Total | $257,000 |
Business and Capacity Development
| Applicant | Activity | Amount Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Ceiling Arts Collective | Website development | $8,400 |
| Performing Arts Network New Zealand | PANNZ 2026 Arts Market | $10,000 |
| The Massive Company Trust | Massive Theatre Company website upgrade | $12,000 |
| Total | $30,400 |
Strategic Relationship Grants
| Applicant | Activity | Amount Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland Festival of Photography | Year-round programme incl. international photographic festival | $45,000 per annum for 3 years |
| Auckland Pride | Pride Develops: year-round arts capability initiative | $30,000 per annum for 2 years |
| Massive Company | Contemporary physical ensemble theatre for young people | $45,000 per annum for 3 years |
| Nightsong | Accessible original NZ-theatre promoting inclusion and diversity | $45,000 per annum for 3 years |
| The Big Idea | Online platform for arts professionals | $30,000 per annum for 3 years |
| Total | $195,000 |
