$1.4 Million Granted to Community Organisations Across Otago in First Grants Round for 2026
12 Mar 2026
It's been a strong start to the year. Otago Community Trust has just completed its first grants round for 2026, with $1,421,291 heading to 51 organisations doing remarkable mahi across the region. From native bush restoration along the Waitaki River to a new basketball court in Hāwea Flat, powerchair football in Dunedin, and predator trapping in Wānaka.
Environmental Restoration and Conservation
Whiria te Waitaki Ltd ($45,000) will continue its Moeraki Mahika Kai Restoration project restoring native habitat along the Waitaki River. Funding will contribute to earthworks, trap components, and pest control at both the existing Te Puna a Maru site near Duntroon, and a second site between the Otekaieke and Otiake rivers, building on four years of work that has already transformed over 30 hectares.
Wild Game Recovery Charitable Trust ($14,173) is taking an innovative approach to food insecurity in the Clutha district. Connecting hunters and farmers with local food banks, they are expecting to deliver 5,000 kg of donated meat in their first year, while also supporting pest management in the region.
“In many areas, wild animal numbers are taking a toll on farmland, forestry, and native environments. This initiative helps respond to that reality in a practical way, supporting responsible wild animal management while ensuring quality meat goes to people in our community who need it.” Said Sarah Gagliardi, General Manager, Wild Game Recovery Trust.
Predator Free Wānaka ($10,000) is doubling its usual pace this year, installing four new predator trap lines around Wānaka, Hāwea and Luggate — progress that's already being felt with a noticeable return of korimako (bellbirds), tui, and kōtare (kingfishers) to the area.
Sport and Recreation
The Otago Rally turns 50 this year, and a $20,000 grant to Otago Sports Car Club will help bring world-class motorsport — free to spectators — into rural communities across the Dunedin, Māniototo, Lawrence, and Milton areas.
Dunedin Dragons Powerchair Football Club will use their $10,000 grant to purchase Strikeforce sports chairs and equipment, helping to open the sport up to more players with physical disabilities.
Adam Lloyd from Dunedin Dragons Power Chair Football Club said “With more Strikeforce sports chairs, we can provide opportunities for people who use a wheelchair to maybe one day play football for their regions or country. This is a massive sport recognised by FIFA with the same respect as the running game.”
Other grants include $25,000 to Brockville School for a new sports court and $375,000 to Molyneux Turf Incorporated for a floodlit all-weather surface at Dunstan High School in Alexandra — the largest single grant of the round, addressing a genuine shortage of usable playing fields in Central Otago.
Arts and Community Events
Dunedin's Midwinter Carnival returns in June ($25,000), filling the streets around First Church with lantern processions, aerial performance, large-scale projections, and live music across two evenings.
Theatre fans can look forward to the world premiere of End of Summertime — Sir Roger Hall's final play and the conclusion of the Dickey Hart trilogy — which will open in Dunedin before touring to other areas including Waitati, Hāwea Flat and Bannockburn, supported by a $4,672 grant to Stage South.
The South Dunedin Street Festival (March 14) and Ōamaru's Harbour Street Jazz and Blues Festival (March 20–22) each received $15,000 for their respective events.
Housing
The Otago Housing Alliance (formally Cosy Homes Charitable Trust) received $350,000 to continue their work helping Otago residents access free insulation and subsidised heating installations.
|
Otago Community Trust Grants, February 2026 |
||
|
Alexandra |
Molyneux Turf Incorporated |
$375,000.00 |
|
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club Inc |
$7,300.00 |
|
|
Balclutha |
Clutha Recreation Centre Inc |
$5,000.00 |
|
Cromwell |
Cromwell Youth Trust |
$40,000.00 |
|
Cromwell Resource Centre Trust |
$20,000.00 |
|
|
Dunedin |
Queens High School |
$60,000.00 |
|
Andersons Bay Sea Scouts |
$12,000.00 |
|
|
Tennis Otago Inc |
$2,900.00 |
|
|
Brockville School |
$25,000.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Dragons Powerchair Football Club Ltd |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Otago Sports Car Club Inc |
$20,000.00 |
|
|
Stage South Charitable Trust |
$4,672.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Returned Services Choir |
$925.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Choral Society |
$9,000.00 |
|
|
New Zealand Opera Limited |
$2,000.00 |
|
|
South Dunedin Community Network Inc |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Midwinter Celebrations Trust |
$25,000.00 |
|
|
Dhargyey Buddhist Centre Inc |
$50,000.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Budget Advisory Service |
$6,000.00 |
|
|
Zone 5 - Musical Theatre NZ Inc. |
$4,000.00 |
|
|
Otago Art Society Inc |
$3,620.00 |
|
|
Life Education Trust Coastal Otago |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
International Festival Environment Science Technology Dun NZ Inc |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust |
$12,000.00 |
|
|
Kidney Health New Zealand Incorporated |
$4,500.00 |
|
|
Otago Tertiary Chaplaincy Trust Board |
$2,000.00 |
|
|
St Pauls Cathedral |
$70,000.00 |
|
|
Milton |
The Bruce Museum Trust |
$3,000.00 |
|
Mosgiel |
Outram School |
$7,500.00 |
|
Silver Peaks Country Music Club Inc |
$2,500.00 |
|
|
Ōamaru |
Whiria te Waitaki Ltd |
$45,000.00 |
|
Excelsior Rugby and Associated Sports Club |
$30,000.00 |
|
|
Harbour Street Jazz Inc |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
Waitaki Community Gardens Trust |
$4,000.00 |
|
|
Papakaio School |
$15,750.00 |
|
|
Otago |
Cosy Homes Charitable Trust |
$350,000.00 |
|
Wild Game Recovery Charitable Trust |
$14,173.00 |
|
|
Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand |
$4,000.00 |
|
|
Cavalcade Host Town Committee Inc |
$7,000.00 |
|
|
He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust |
$6,600.00 |
|
|
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network |
$18,000.00 |
|
|
Shakti Woman’s Refuge Trust |
$6,200.00 |
|
|
Road Safety Education Limited |
$8,500.00 |
|
|
SPELD NZ |
$10,500.00 |
|
|
TalkLink Trust |
$5,000.00 |
|
|
Southern Cancer Society Trust |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
Blue Light Ventures Inc |
$3,051.00 |
|
|
Waik/Palm |
Waikouaiti Golf Club Inc. |
$9,600.00 |
|
Wānaka |
Predator Free Wānaka |
$10,000.00 |
|
Hāwea Charitable Trust |
$6,000.00 |
|
|
Upper Clutha History Society Incorporated |
$9,000.00 |
|