The local community makes a major contribution to the wellbeing of our District. Council has different funding schemes available to community groups, voluntary organisations, and in some cases individuals, to help them meet local needs and increase participation in local activities.
There are more funding options available through the Sport Wellington website.
Peter Laing Memorial Trust Grants
Peter Laing was a Wairarapa farmer; born with a natural affinity for the land. Throughout his life he showed a strong dedication to agriculture, farming and his community.
The Peter Laing Memorial Trust Grants are designed to assist people who intend to follow a practical farming career.
You can apply for these grants to pay for:
1. Practical training to help you enter the agricultural industry (e.g. through a cadet scheme, or certificate; diploma level of study).
2. Specialist equipment, such as a saddle, or to buy dogs, if you’re starting your first job in agriculture.
You need to meet the following criteria:
- Must be a resident in the Wairarapa or have strong links with the Wairarapa
- Have a focus on pastoral farming with a planned career path
- A strong desire to expand knowledge and interest in agriculture
Any questions about the grants can be sent to [email protected]tn.govt.nz.
Applications for the grants open later in the year (usually around September). Check back for updates on the application process for 2023.
Marae Development Fund
Every year Council allocates $15,000 to the Marae Development Fund to support Marae with protecting, maintaining, restoring and/or developing Marae structures.
Applications for the 2022-23 funding round will be invited later this year with dates for the funding round to be confirmed.
Masterton District Creative Communities Scheme
The Creative Communities Scheme encourages community involvement, celebrates cultural diversity, and encourages young people to participate in arts activities. Applications can be made for things like exhibitions, workshops, personnel costs associated with short-term projects, artist development, arts promotion and community participation.
Round 4 for 2022/23 is now open and applications will close at 4.30 pm on Friday, 26 May 2023.
- Download a Round 4 Application Form (PDF, 343 KB) or (DOC, 123KB)
- Read the Application Guide (PDF, 563KB) to see if your project is eligible and how to complete an application.
- A Project Completion Report Form (PDF, 175KB) needs to be filled out and returned within two months after the project is finished.
Get further information on the Creative Communities Scheme.
The assessment committee is happy to help you with your application or answer any questions. Their contact details are below, or you can get in touch with the Grants Administrator by emailing: [email protected]
Gwenda Saunders (Chair): [email protected]
Dianne Manson: [email protected]
Rita Ann Penhale: [email protected]
Anthea Birch: [email protected]
Nikki Coulmann: [email protected]
Deborah Percy: [email protected]
Melanie Wallis: [email protected]
Successful applicants and their projects in the 2021/22 funding year were:
Round 1 – ConArt Gallery (Artist Studio Hire), Christine Daniell (Outdoor Poems), Every Body is a Treasure (Masterton Visual Poetry Jam), Victoria Medina (The Get Down Dance Showcase), Jane Ross (Film Talks Wairarapa), Wairarapa Youth Orchestra (Concert)
Round 2 – Castlepoint Racing Club (150 Years Centennial Book), Jane Ross (Film Talks Masterton), SpontaneoUS (Comedy Show)
Round 3 – Divine River NZ Trust (Sustainable Creativity Days), Jane Ross (Film Talks on Air and Film Making Workshop), Te Kura o Papatūānuku – Wairarapa Earth School (Tuakana/teina Visual Arts) and Wairarapa Shakespeare (Shakespeare Festival)
Round 4 – Wendy Bornholdt (Drawing on Resources), Stefan Brown (Troubadour Music Group) and Jane Ross (Film Talks at Whanau Marama NZIFF)
Masterton Arts Fund
This funding is for making a difference to the quality, scope or participation in the arts sector and/or the arts economy. The fund covers, visual arts, literature, pottery/ceramics, drama, music, dance, film making and crafts projects. It is also available for projects on preservation, researching and recording of significant historic artifacts, history, stories and events.
Please read the Information sheet (PDF, 118KB) for details of the fund.
The 2022/23 funding year is now closed.
Project Completion Form (PDF, 93KB) – Please complete and return this form for any funding received within two months of the project finishing.
Successful applicants and their projects in the 2021/22 funding year were: Tulletha Pollett-Scott (Rhythm Reconnect), Regimental & Masterton Memorial (Drill Hall Memorial) and the Wairarapa Fern & Thistle Pipe Band (Pipe Band Drum Replacement)