$1.17 million invested in Otago communities this May
15 Jun 2026
From a new ambulance station in Ōamaru to an underwater search vehicle for the Southern Lakes, the Otago Community Trust May grants round reflects the variety of work underway across the region. 45 organisations received a combined $1,171,830 spread across environment, health and wellbeing, sport, and community events.
Environment:
Wao Aotearoa Charitable Trust received $20,000 for their work in supporting community-led environmental action. Their programmes include the Southern Lakes Kai Collective, which strengthens regional food resilience, the Wānaka Bike Bus and wider Ride for Change programme, and Journey to 2126, a long-term scenario planning initiative for communities and decision-makers.
Ōtemātātā Residents Association Inc ($3,200) manages the Ōtemātātā Wetlands. This grant will help fund a log splitter to help make management of the wetland easier for volunteers. Roxburgh Community Garden will use their $1,000 grant to install a tunnel house, extending growing capacity for a garden that donates produce to the local rest home and provides education for schools and early childhood centres.
Sheelagh Martyn from the Roxburgh Community Garden said “The tunnel house will enable the community group to extend their growing season of vegetables over the Winter months and expand into some covered crops. The garden offers a connection for community members; after toiling the soil, a cuppa and chat is had at the garden.”
Social/Health and Wellbeing:
I.Pride Otago is a youth-led advocacy and leadership programme for rainbow young people with disability run by YES Disability Resource Centre Services Trust. They received $3,000 towards the programme that supports participants to build confidence, develop self-advocacy, and find connection through peer support, skill-building workshops, and leadership opportunities.
The Order of St John South Island Region Trust Board ($500,000) is building a new ambulance station in Ōamaru to replace a 43-year-old facility. The new station will support emergency ambulance services, first aid training, youth programmes, and the Waka Ora Health Shuttle, with completion expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
"The new station will enhance our operational capability, support our people with the right facilities, and ensure we can continue to respond quickly and effectively to patients across the Ōamaru community when every minute counts" said David Milne, Hato Hone St John District Operations Manager for Southland Otago. "This funding not only strengthens our ambulance service today but also enables us to confidently meet the growing needs of the Ōamaru community into the future.”
Wānaka Search and Rescue Inc will use their $20,000 funding for training and equipment, including a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) - creating the capability to search the depths of the Southern Lakes for the first time.
Sport:
Māniototo Adventure Park Charitable Trust ($8,000) will upgrade lighting at the Naseby outdoor ice rink, improving conditions for events including the biannual Erewhorn Cup and curling competitions. And Special Olympics North Otago Trust received $10,000 to deliver a snow sports programme for athletes with intellectual disabilities across July, August, and September 2026.
“This funding enables our athletes to access high-quality snow sport experiences, build confidence, develop skills, and be part of an inclusive sporting community” said Sue Pennycook from Special Olympics. “Special Olympics New Zealand provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them gain physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and build friendships.”
Events:
A range of events also received funding this round including Te Mana Ahua Ake Charitable Trust who received $60,000 for Otago Polyfest 2026, scheduled for 7–11 September in Ōtepoti.
WoolOn Creative & Fashion Society ($10,000) will present New Zealand's only wool-focused fashion event in Alexandra on 29–30 August 2026. And the NZ Mountain Film Festival Charitable Trust ($5,000) will host the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival in Wānaka in June, featuring adventure films, author talks, book launches, and workshops.
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Otago Community Trust Grants, May 2026 |
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Alexandra |
Uruuruwhenua Health Incorporated |
$20,000.00 |
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Central Otago Friendship Network |
$6,000.00 |
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Balclutha |
Balclutha Golf Club Inc |
$17,500.00 |
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Cromwell |
Cromwell Early Learning Centre Inc |
$200,000.00 |
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Dunedin |
Hearing Association Dunedin Branch Inc |
$5,000.00 |
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East Otago Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporated |
$10,000.00 |
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Te Mana Ahua Ake Charitable Trust |
$60,000.00 |
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Pukehiki Hall Soc Inc |
$20,000.00 |
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Island Park Golf Club Inc |
$17,500.00 |
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Dunedin Street Art Charitable Trust |
$2,780.00 |
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Andersons Bay Community Kindergarten Inc |
$10,000.00 |
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Musselburgh School |
$16,200.00 |
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Ōtākou Golf Club Incorporated |
$10,500.00 |
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Methodist Mission Southern |
$10,000.00 |
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Dunedin Jazz Foundation |
$20,000.00 |
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Otago Potters Group Incorporated |
$6,300.00 |
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Kin-Inspired Trust |
$2,500.00 |
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Association of Friends of the Otago Museum |
$5,000.00 |
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Harbour Rugby Football Club Incorporated |
$2,000.00 |
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Mosgiel |
Taieri Christian Care Trust |
$12,500.00 |
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Mosgiel Scout Group |
$18,000.00 |
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Ōamaru |
North Otago Golf Club |
$6,300.00 |
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Waitaki Valley School |
$20,000.00 |
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Ōamaru Intermediate School |
$4,000.00 |
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Otago |
Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) |
$2,500.00 |
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Ōtemātātā Residents Assoc Inc |
$3,200.00 |
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Māniototo Adventure Park Charitable Trust |
$8,000.00 |
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Skeggs Foundation |
$24,150.00 |
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Dunedin Archery Club |
$2,100.00 |
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Special Olympics Nth Otago Trust (NZ Spec O Lwr Sth Is Rgnl Cncl) |
$10,000.00 |
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Waitaki Valley Community Society Inc |
$5,000.00 |
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Presbyterian Support Northern T/A Lifeline |
$10,000.00 |
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Millers Flat Bakehouse Restoration Trust |
$23,000.00 |
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The Order of St John South Island Region Trust Board |
$500,000.00 |
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Other |
Te Rōpū Kaitito Pūoro o Aotearoa – The Composers Assosiation on New Zealand (CANZ) |
$4,500.00 |
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YES Disability Resource Centre Services Trust |
$3,000.00 |
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WoolOn Creative & Fashion Society Incorporated |
$10,000.00 |
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Ranfurly |
New Zealand Olympic Luge Assn Inc |
$2,500.00 |
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Roxburgh |
Roxburgh Community Garden |
$1,000.00 |
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Waik/Palm |
Waikouaiti Bowling Club Inc |
$800.00 |
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Wānaka |
Central Otago Archers Incorporated |
$3,000.00 |
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NZ Mountain Film Festival Charitable Trust |
$5,000.00 |
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Wao Aotearoa Charitable Trust |
$20,000.00 |
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Wānaka Search and Rescue Inc |
$20,000.00 |
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Wānaka Musicians Incorporated |
$12,000.00 |
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