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Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki 2024 will be held on Friday, 28 June. We will be publishing information about any funding opportunities on our website soon. 

About this fund

The Matariki Ahunga Nui Fund (the Fund) celebrates and supports the regeneration of mātauranga associated with Te Kāhui o Matariki. The contestable funding is designed to support Māori communities in leading the development of Te Kāhui o Matariki-focused initiatives that recognise, not only Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki, the public holiday, but also the wider kaupapa and principles of Matariki.

The Matariki Ahunga Nui Fund is open for a limited time each year.

Matariki principles

In supporting regeneration of mātauranga Matariki, applicants will need to demonstrate how they would use the funding to advance and promote the three major principles of Matariki:

  • Remembrance – honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.
  • Celebrating the present – gathering to give thanks for what we have.
  • Looking to the future – looking forward to the promise of a new year.

If you need support to understand or apply for our funding, please contact [email protected].

Who can apply

We seek applications from Māori groups, community organisations, entities or collectives who are 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 funded

Depending on the level of funding sought, to be successful event activities must meet the following event eligibility criteria.

Criteria for all applications

Your event and/or your resource must:

  • encourage wide community participation in the celebration of Matariki
  • promote an understanding of Matariki in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • take place (or be launched) during the period of Matariki.

Manahau applications

An event held, or resource launched, during the Matariki period, must celebrate the Matariki principles in local communities.

Mārama applications

In addition to an event, and/or launch of resources, applicants must provide evidence for how their event or resource will educate people about  Matariki at a local and/or regional level.

Mātau applications

Your events and/or resources explore, discuss, practice and educate mātauranga Matariki and you provide evidence in your application for how these activities sustainably regenerate mātauraga Matariki.

What applications will be given priority

We will prioritise applications that:

  • demonstrate the level of mātauranga Matariki that will be generated from the funding
  • reflect partnership between iwi, marae, local government, and community groups
  • deepen the understanding of Te Kāhui o Matariki
  • promote nation and community building
  • invite wide community participation
  • support access for people with disabilities.

For more information on how to design accessible events, refer to the Ministry of Social Development website and our summary guidelines.

Accessible meetings and events (MSD)

What the funding won’t cover

We will not fund:

  • individuals (you must apply as part of a group, collective or organisation)
  • long-term education programmes or resources
  • the purchase of alcohol.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

2023 Matariki Ahunga Nui funding recipients

Find out who got funded in 2023, the second year of our Matariki Ahunga Nui funding to celebrate and promote the regeneration of, mātauranga Matariki.

About the funding

We had up to $3 million available in 2023 for our Matariki Ahunga Nui Fund. We received a total of 321 applications across all our funding categories, seeking funding support of over $13 million.

How applications were assessed

Overall, the quality of applications was very high in 2023. The panel assessed applications

  • against the criteria for each funding category
  • for how well they aligned with the principles and kaupapa of Matariki
  • the reach of events and resources across whānau, hapū and iwi.

After the panel had considered all applications, a total of $3.075 million of funding was approved across 121 applications.

Successful funding recipients

Matatau

Total applications: 5
Total funding: $1,000,000

A series of iwi-based events and resources that support whānau, hapū and iwi to grow, practice and lead their practices and customs relating to Te Kāhui o Matariki.

RegionKaupapaFunding
Te TaitokerauHokianga Puanga 
(through Turuturu Ā Uta Turuturu Ā Tai Trust)
$200,000
Waikato-ManiapotoKura Hāpori Mātauranga Matariki 
(through Te Toki Voyaging Trust)
$200,000
WaiarikiTauranga Moana Hautapu 
(through Te Puna i Rangiriri Trust)
$200,000
Te TaihauāuruTe Kāhui o Puanga 
(through Naia Ltd)
$200,000
Te WaipounamuKāi Tahu Puaka-Matariki Hautapu 
(through Tūmai Communications Ltd)
$200,000

Mātau

Total applications: 24 
Total funding: $1,250,000 
Events and resources that explore, discuss, practice and teach about Te Kāhui o Matariki.

ApplicantKaupapaFunding
Te Mana o Te Aroha LimitedPuanga Rua$30,000
Whangaroa Taiao LtdTe Rawenga$50,000
Jacman Entertainment LimitedMatariki Pēwhairangi$100,000
Rangatahi Ora LimitedTātai Whetū ki Te Kāhui a Matariki and Puanga$30,000
Maiangi LimitedMataaho$25,000
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trustee LimitedUmu Kohukohu Whetū ki Takaparawhau$100,000
Manukau Urban Māori AuthorityMatariki 2023 Waatea Marae$50,000
Te Whare Tāhuhu Kōrero o HaurakiKo Matariki ki Hauraki 2023$50,000
Te Ohu WhakaitaMatariki ki Waikato Festival$50,000
Pikitū MaraeMānawatia a Matariki ki Pikitū marae$25,000
Te Puna Ora o MataatuaKia Tāwharautia Mataatua mō Matariki - Matariki in Mataatua for Generations$50,000
Toiuru Māori TreasuresMatariki i runga o Kākānui$50,000
Ōtaiātoa LtdMatariki Hauterongo$50,000
Te Aitanga a Hauiti Centre of ExcellenceTataitia Ra - Matariki Festival$30,000
Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust'Ngā tohu o te tau hou' ki Kahungunu-Rongomaiwahine$100,000
AkiAki LimitedMatariki and Puanga with the Walkers$50,000
Te Rito IncorporatedMānawatia a Matariki, Mānawatia Te Reo Māori!$35,000
Society of Māori Astronomy Research and TraditionsNgā Mata o ngā Ariki$100,000
Te Rūnanga o Toa RangatiraMe haehae Matariki$60,000
E Kai Māori LimitedNgā hakari tū o Matariki$50,000
Pounamu Ngāi Tahu Charitable TrustMatariki Ki Ōtautahi Christchurch Celebrations$50,000
Tuurama TrustMatariki Tūmahi Wheako o Murihiku$25,000
Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi TrustMatariki - Puanga ki Wharekauri$40,000
Maramataka Productions LtdMatariki kei te Kāinga$50,000

Mārama

Total applications: 38 
Total funding: $565,000
Events and/or resources that continue teachings of te kāhui o Matariki.

ApplicantKaupapaFunding
Te Paatu ki Kauhanga Trust BoardMatariki Huihui Tangata$15,000
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rehia TrustTe Ara o Matariki — Ngā Toi Whakamihi, Pūrākau, me te Hikoi$15,000
Whakapaumahara MaraeMatariki Whananaki$10,000
Ngāti Takapari Hapū Charitable TrustNgāti Taka — Te Mātahi O Te Tau$10,000
Te Whānau o WaipareiraMatariki ki Waipareira$50,000
Pou Tāngata Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Community Development TrustKāhui Matariki i te Rangi, Kāhui Kaumātua ki te Whenua$10,000
Te Kōhanga Reo o TahaaroaTe Māramataka o Te Kōhanga Reo o Tahaaroa$20,000
Taakina LimitedMatariki: A night under the Stars$15,000
Ngāti Hauā Iwi TrustMatariki ki Maungakaawa$10,000
Raukawa Charitable TrustMatariki ki Raukawa$20,000
Tamahou Whānau TrustHui Te Rangiora$10,000
Ka Rea Consultants LimitedTirotirowhetū o Matariki$15,000
Kaiaio Holdings LimitedTe Whānau ā Kaiaio Matariki Wānanga$20,000
Te Takinga Marae TrustMatariki @Mourea Celebration: Marae Masterchef 2023$15,000
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiū o Ngāti PorouKo te Hautapu e rite ki te kai na Matariki$15,000
Te Riu o Waiapu TrustTe Riu o Waiapu Matariki Celebrations$15,000
Te Poho o Rāwiri MaraeTe Hautapu$20,000
Te Āhuru Mōwai o RongomaiwahineTākina te pae o Matariki$10,000
Te Whareoranga o te WhānaupaniTe Pō Tangotango o Waikaremoana$20,000
Maataatoa Limited"Rārangatia te Āpōpō"$10,000
Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea IncorporatedMatariki Celebrations in Tamatea$10,000
Aterea LimitedNgā kākano o Matariki wānanga$10,000
Raetihi Promotion Charitable TrustPuanga ki Ruapehu$15,000
Te Maru o Ruahine TrustPuanga/Matariki — Whanaungatanga$10,000
Te Ara Mua LimitedNau mai e Mata | Matariki Whakatairanga$15,000
Te Taioho LimitedPuanga ki te Rangi, Te Rangataioho ki te Whenua$15,000
Whanganui Māori Regional Tourism Organisation Trust BoardPaunga — Te Tau Hou kei Whanganui$10,000
Whangaehu Marae — Rakautaua 1CWhangaehu Marae — Puanga 2023$10,000
Ngāti Hineaute Hapū AuthorityPuanga Whakamanawa Festival$15,000
Muaūpoko Tribal AuthorityTirotiro Whetu$20,000
Māoriland Charitable TrustMatariki Ramaroa$15,000
Wainuiomata Marae Charitable TrustMatariki at the hub 2023$15,000
Tapu-te-Ranga TrustMatariki ki Tapu-te-Ranga$15,000
Matapihi Consultants LtdMatariki, E Ara!$20,000
Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu Charitable TrustPuanga celebration$10,000
Te Hapū o Ngāti WhekeMātariki o Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke o Te Rāpaki o te Rakiwhakaputa$10,000
Te Aitarakihi Society IncorporatedMatariki ki Te Aitarakihi 2023$10,000
Tūturu Charitable TrustMatariki @Queens Park Te Hīkoi o Ngā Whetū$15,000

Manahau

Total applications: 54 applications 
Total funding: $260,700 
Te kāhui o Matariki events and or resources that connect communities across the motu.

ApplicantKaupapaFunding
Waiora MaraeWaiora Marae$5,000
Nga Rangatira o WhangatauatiaMatariki whakawhānui whānau Ahiparapara$5,000
Te Puna Manakitanga o PakanaeTe Puna Manakitanga o Pakanae$5,000
Ngāi Tupoto Ki Motukaraka MaraeHe Tuku Roimata$5,000
Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngāpuhi Community TrustMātauranga Matariki Fun Day$3,950
Waikara Marae and Whakarongotai Urupā TrustPuanga / Matariki o Waikarā$5,000
Waiora o TunatahiMatariki ki Tunatahi$5,000
Hihiaua Cultural Centre TrustPuanga ki Hihiaua$4,700
Whai Hua TrustMatariki @ the Marae$5,000
Ngāti Tamaoho TrustMatariki ki Ngāti Tamaoho$5,000
CCS Disability Action Auckland Incorporated (for Karanga Maha – Kaupapa Māori Whānau Haua initiative)Te Huihui o Matariki$5,000
Waitakaruru 1A2B2C and D1 TrustHe tau hou — He moemoeā hou$5,000
Rangimārie Makomako MaraeMakomako Marae hui whakanui i a Matariki$5,000
Ngāti Karewa, Ngati Tahinga TrustPort Waikato Matariki Celebration 2023$4,800
Waipapa Marae CommitteeKawhia Moana Matariki$5,000
Kareahi LimitedHe Aroha Mauroa$5,000
Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia IncorporatedNgāruawāhia: Our Stories$5,000
Raungaiti Marae TrustRaungaiti Matariki Celebrations 22 July 2023$5,200
Turoto C2B2B4B1Te Whakanui i te Tau Hou Māori me te whanau me nga hoa$5,000
Te Awanui Hauora TrustPiata ata mai rā a Matariki – te tau hou Māori$4,000
Tapuika Fisheries TrustMatariki ki Rangiuru$5,000
Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Charitable TrustMatariki at the $5,000
Waiohau C4 Papakainga No 1 Patuheuheu Marae ReservationTe Hautapu a Tama-ki-Hikurangi$5,000
Te Ao Hou TrustNgāi Tai Kawe Mate and Hau Tapu Commemorations 2023$5,000
Ngāti Tahu — Ngāti Whaoa Runanga TrustTe Kotahitanga a Matariki$5,000
Otonga Whānau TrustOtonga Whānau Trust — Hautapu 2023$5,000
Hinemihi Marae Charitable TrustNgāti Hinemihi Hautapu$5,000
Mangakino SchoolMangakino Community Matariki Celebration$5,000
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust BoardMatariki Planting Day$4,290
YMP Netball Club Incorporated – Whakatō MaraeMatariki Ahunga Nui ki Whakatō$5,000
Raiātea LimitedMatariki — Waipapa-ā-Iwi$5,000
Toi Matarua'Kia Au, Ko Au' Rangatahi New Year Party$5,000
Waipatu Catholic Māori ClubHe punga ki te ao$5,000
Te Pou Herenga Waka o te Whakapono Anglican Māori MissionMatariki Season 2023 with Te Pou Church Centre NapierWithdrawn (by applicant)
Gillies-Karaitiana Whānau IncorporatedTe Whenua Haumako$5,000
Waipuka Māori Reservation TrustWaitangi Marae Matariki Market$5,000
Te Ara Tupua | Uenuku | Te Korowai o WainuiāruaMatariki 2023$5,000
Opaea Marae TrustTe Puawaitanga o Puanga ki Tumakaurangi$5,000
Ngāti Mairehau TrustRangiotū Matariki Event$5,000
Te Whare Taiao o RangitāneMatariki in Tāmaki nui a Rua$5,000
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o WairarapaMatariki Huihuinga$5,000
Pae Tū Mōkai o Tauira Incorporated SocietyToro Atu — Pou unveiling$5,000
Ngahuru Ora Services LtdMatariki — Whanake Te Kura$5,000
Te Whānau o Te Kōhanga Reo o Tararua ki Paraparaumu IncorporatedTararua ki Paraparaumu Matariki Event 2023$4,500
Ahu Charitable Trust ki Pukerua BayMatariki Celebration and Community Art Stars 2023$4,760
Ōrongomai Marae Community CentreMatariki ki Ōrongomai$5,000
Ngaio Kōhanga Reo Trust BoardTe Hautapu o Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngaio$5,000
Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau TrustRangitāne o Wairau Matariki Celebration$5,000
Kahukura Rongoa Māori Charitable TrustMagical Matariki ki Kaputahi 2023$4,500
Nōku Te Ao Charitable TrustTe Hautapu ki Te Oraka$5,000
Te Rōpū Māori o Te Whare Wānanga o Otākou IncorporatedTe Tauhoko Nui o Matariki$5,000
Arrowtown Charitable Trust (Kā-Muriwai)Kā-Muriwai — Matariki Arrowtown Lights$5,000
Mataura & Districts Charitable Trust (Mataura Marae)Kai Hau Kai$5,000
Kiimai Māori LtdMatariki Reset 2023$5,000

2022 Matariki Ahunga Nui funding recipients (Te Arawhiti)