The Waiheke Local Board has allocated funding to a range of local and environmental projects through its Local and Environmental Grant Round, supporting initiatives that benefit the island’s community and environment.
Board Chair Kylee Matthews said:
"These grants are an investment in the wellbeing of our community and the health of the motu. We’re proud to support projects that make Waiheke a more sustainable and connected place for everyone."
A total of $45,239 was awarded to local and community projects, including support for the Waiheke Community Childcare Centre, which received $5,000 to engage a consultant to develop a long-term strategy and governance plan for the Waiheke Ostend Market.
Other local projects funded include:
- Waiheke Living Waters Church – $2,500 towards Pasifika Day event costs, including performers, venue hire, marketing, workshops, and safety coordination
- Waiheke United AFC – $5,600 for sports-focused first aid training for coaches, volunteers, and community members
- Piritahi Rangatahi – $3,300 for a year-long kaupapa Māori rangatahi programme at Piritahi Marae
- Action Education – $5,328 for spoken word poetry workshops at Waiheke High School to build youth voice and wellbeing
- GALA Records – $2,000 to support monthly Song & Poetry Thing events
- Waiheke Island Tourism – $4,500 for the Waiheke Guide App launch and visitor information hub map boards
- Artworks Theatre – $750 towards the performance of Animal Farm
- Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard – $3,933 for beach safety signage and a local awareness campaign
- Life-Supporting Communities NZ – $7,000 for suicide-prevention and wellbeing training on Waiheke
On the environmental side, the board allocated $20,000 to projects promoting sustainability and conservation. Highlights include:
- Waiheke Marine Project – $7,000 towards a community microplastics trommel for beach clean-ups and rangatahi snorkel/diver training
- Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust – $4,000 to support stoat detection dog visits during the mop-up phase
- Waiheke Resource Trust – $3,000 towards a new community greenhouse and compost system
- Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre – $3,000 for solar installation and EV-charging infrastructure
- Waiheke Island Society for the Care of Animals – $3,000 for subsidised or free dog desexing for Waiheke residents
The Waiheke Local Board’s grants program continues to provide vital support for organisations making a positive impact across the island, from community development to environmental conservation.
Applications for the next Waiheke Local Board grants round will open on 16 February 2026. Local groups and organisations are encouraged to apply.
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