- Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has awarded $115,546.96 through its local grants round.
- NZ Barok Orchestra received $1,600 towards its free Baby Baroque concert at Devonport Library.
- Restoring Takarunga Hauraki received $5,000 towards equipment for its new environmental education centre.
- The grants support a range of community, arts, environmental and recreational projects across Devonport-Takapuna.
From live baroque music for young children to equipment for a new environmental education centre, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board grants are helping local organisations deliver projects that benefit the community.
The board awarded $115,546.96 in its most recent grants round, supporting projects across arts and culture, environmental work, recreation and community activities.
Two of the recipients are NZ Barok Orchestra, which brought its Baby Baroque concert to Devonport Library, and Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, which is preparing its new education centre.
Live music for little ears
Young children and their whānau recently had the chance to experience live baroque music at Devonport Library, with support from the local board.
NZ Barok Orchestra received $1,600 towards player and narrator fees for a kids’ concert.
Baby Baroque was developed to give young children and their whānau access to live classical music, recognising that cost and location can make these experiences difficult to access.
The free, hour-long concert at Devonport Library on 18 July introduced children aged 0 to 6 to baroque music through storytelling, movement and active participation.
Presented in English and te reo Māori, the concert brought tamariki and their whānau into the music, with children able to respond using noise makers and scarves while following the story.
The programme also incorporated local places into its storytelling, helping connect the experience to the community where the concert was held.
Nick Edgar, NZ Barok’s General Manager, says the local board's support was essential to bringing the free concert to Devonport.
“We couldn’t have brought the free Baby Baroque concert to Devonport Library without the generous support of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce tamariki and their whānau to live classical music in an accessible and welcoming community setting,”
Baby Baroque concerts are held in familiar community venues rather than traditional concert halls, helping remove barriers for families who may not otherwise attend a classical music performance.
At the end of each concert, children also have the opportunity to try the instruments, with smaller-sized instruments provided where possible.
Supporting environmental education
Local board funding is also helping Restoring Takarunga Hauraki prepare its new education centre and continue supporting volunteers and environmental work across the community.
The organisation received $5,000 towards stationery and lab equipment, testing kits, a projector, laptop and printer.
The new education centre will provide resources to support RTH’s volunteers and environmental education work as the organisation continues its work across Takarunga Hauraki.
Restoring Takarunga Hauraki Chair Anne McMillan says the funding will help the organisation equip the centre and support its ongoing work.
“We’re really grateful to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for supporting this project. The funding will help us equip our new education centre with the resources we need to support our volunteers and continue our environmental work across the community.”
Supporting local ideas
The two projects demonstrate the range of initiatives supported through the local board’s grants programme.
For Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, grants provide a way to support local organisations and community groups to deliver projects that contribute to a connected, active and thriving community.
The funding decisions included support for community facilities, arts and cultural activities, environmental projects, sporting organisations and community events.
Find out more
Find out more about Devonport-Takapuna Local Board grants and funding opportunities on the Auckland Council website.
Learn more about NZ Barok and Baby Baroque and Restoring Takarunga Hauraki and the work they do in the local community.
Stay up to date
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area?
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest direct to your inbox each month.