Applications for the 2024 Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund will open in September 2023.
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About this fund
The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund supports events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and promote nation and community building. The Fund aims to encourage a wider mix of communities to take part in Waitangi Day events.
The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund will distribute up to $300,000 total to support events that encourage communities to participate in commemorating the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi. See what activities were funded in 2023.
We are especially keen to support events organised by local government and/or communities in partnership with tangata whenua that invite wide community participation, and that deepen and broaden the conversations about the Treaty of Waitangi and deepen understanding across communities.
We recommend you read the application guide carefully before starting the application process.
If you need support to understand or apply for our funding, please contact [email protected].
Key information for applicants
Key timeframes
Applications for the 2024 Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund will open in September 2023.
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must be a recognised local government or community organisation, group, or collective, based in Aotearoa New Zealand with:
- an existing role in community activities and services
- the ability to demonstrate your role in delivering community activities
- the capacity to administer and support the proposed event
- commitment to provide an evaluation of the event after it has been delivered.
What activities can be supported?
To be successful event activities must meet the following event eligibility criteria.
- The event theme is commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi;
- The event promotes nation-building and community-building;
- The event encourages wide community participation and achievement;
- The event promotes a cultural experience or the event is consistent with above criteria; and
- The event takes place on or near Waitangi Day (6 February), or days significant to the signing of the Treaty in a particular community or rohe (e.g. the date on which an iwi signed the Treaty or Final Deed of Settlement).
Find out more about these criteria in the full application guide.
We will prioritise activities that:
- reflect partnership between iwi, marae, local government, and community groups
- deepen understanding about Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi
- promote nation and community building
- invite wide community participation
- support access for people with disabilities.
For further information on designing accessible events, please refer to the Ministry of Social Development website. A downloadable Word document with quick accessibility guidance can be found below.
We will not fund:
- individuals (you must apply as part of a group, collective or organisation)
- mid to long term education programmes or resources
- travel to Waitangi or the Bay of Islands
- the purchase of alcohol.
All applications should be submitted through the application portal. We recommend you read the application guide before submitting your application.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage reception on (04) 499-4229.
Hundreds of attendees gather around the Main Stage for Virtuoso Strings Orchestra and Aaradhna at Porirua. Image courtesy of Whitireia and taken by Capture Studios.
See the Manatū Taonga Treaty of Waitangi page for links to information relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi.
Updated on 3rd February 2023