Emphasis on local for community funding

Local community clubs, organisations, and not-for-profit groups can now apply for funding to support their projects and events from the Waipā District Council Community Discretionary Fund.

The council allocates the funds to the Cambridge and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Boards and the Pirongia Ward Committee. The boards and the committee are then free to decide how to distribute the money, either as grants to support community projects or to fund their own.

With the council’s back-to-basics approach to spending, the Community Discretionary Fund was reduced as part of the 2024/25 Enhanced Annual Plan. As a result, there has been a change in criteria and will be only one funding round this financial year.

Governance manager Jo Gread said despite the reduction in the fund overall, the community boards and ward committee are keen to hear from local clubs and groups who need a funding boost.

“The emphasis is on supporting groups who are based right in the heart of our communities, and who provide services that benefit the people of Waipā,” said Gread. “We know that the financial support the fund provides can go a long way towards helping get some worthwhile projects off the ground.”

• Cambridge Community Board has $19,500 to allocate to clubs, organisations and not-for-profits based in Cambridge or Maungatautari. The board has already set aside $8500 to go towards its own projects which include the Anzac Day services in Cambridge.
• Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board has $20,000 to allocate to groups based in Te Awamutu, Kihikihi or Kakepuku, and are accepting applications for funding up to $2000. The board has decided to put $5500 towards its own projects, which include a battery recycling project.
• The Pirongia Ward Committee has $13,000 to allocate to community groups based inside or delivering services to the area covered by the committee, and are accepting applications for funding up to $2000. The committee decided to not put any funds aside for its own projects this year.

In April, the Pirongia Voluntary Fire Brigade received $3149.36 to help fund the replacement of their 21-year-old utility vehicle. Pirongia voluntary fire fighter Mike Wilson said their current ute had become unreliable and was no longer fit for purpose. “Our rural location means we are often first on the scene of a wide range of emergencies and play an important role in assisting other brigades and emergency services – if we wanted to continue this work we needed a more reliable vehicle,” he said.

“Upgrading our ute will allow us to keep helping people for many more years, respond rapidly to emergencies and getting to remote locations.”

“We are so grateful for the funding - once the new ute arrives it's going to make a massive difference to the Fire Brigade, our volunteers, and benefit Pirongia and the wider Waipā region.”

Applications to the Community Discretionary Fund close 5pm Wednesday, October 30.

Further information including the application form and funding criteria for each committee and board is available at waipadc.govt.nz/communitydiscretionaryfund