Otago Communities Set to Benefit from $1.25 Million Funding Boost
18 Dec 2025
Otago Community Trust are pleased to announce that 73 grants totalling $1,248,934 have been awarded in the December Grants Round. With a focus on infrastructure that will serve communities for generations, alongside vibrant events and critical conservation work, this funding demonstrates the huge scope of community-led initiatives happening across Otago.
This round also included 18 capability grants totalling $91,160, helping organisations strengthen their operations and governance.
Kākā Point Surf Life Saving Club
The Kākā Point Surf Life Saving Club has been awarded $450,000 towards the construction of a new Lifesaving Club House. For over 90 years, this remarkable organisation has been a cornerstone of coastal safety in South Otago, making it one of New Zealand's earliest established surf lifesaving clubs.
“To have such incredible support on our journey in providing a modern new facility which will undoubtedly complement the environment, provide outstanding lifesaving training facilities and service many community groups’ needs, is quite simply overwhelming” said Mark van Asperen of the Kākā Point Surf Life Saving Club.
The Club's dedicated volunteers provide essential lifeguarding services throughout the summer holiday period, while also supporting Search & Rescue operations and Swift Water response alongside Dunedin Police. Their reach extends across the Clutha District through Beach Education programmes in partnership with primary schools, and their thriving Junior Surf programme serves 70-80 children. With membership up 10% on last season, the new clubrooms will provide a fit-for-purpose facility to support these vital services for generations to come.
Mark added, “We now look forward to providing what we feel will be a true centrepiece facility the community as a whole will be proud of.”
- Additional Infrastructure grants include:
The Moana Gow Pool Trust - The Moana Gow Pool Trust has been awarded $9,674 for essential refurbishment works at the Moana Gow community pool in Hawksbury, East Otago. This vital facility promotes water safety, health, fitness and the development of lifesaving skills for residents across East Otago. Nicola Philip, a spokesperson for the Moana Gow Pool Trust said “This grant strengthens the future of the Moana Gow Pool and supports the wellbeing of the entire East Otago community”.
Tokomairiro High School - Tokomairiro High School has been awarded $75,000 towards replacing its outdoor artificial turf facilities. The new high-quality, multi-sport surface will be marked for both hockey and netball, providing a safe, all-weather facility for school sport, community activities, and regional competitions, serving Milton and the wider South Otago area.
“This funding is a significant step forward in our turf replacement project and represents an investment in the future of both our school and the wider community” said Vicki Wish, Principal of Tokomairiro High School. “We are very much looking forward to seeing this project come to life and the benefits it will bring for many years to come.”
Conservation:
Wildlife Hospital Trust, Hoiho Chick Care Programme
The Wildlife Hospital Trust has been awarded $7,000 to assist with the purchase of a commercial sieve for its lifesaving Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) chick management programme. Last year alone, the hospital admitted 235 individual Hoiho, including 186 hungry chicks that require feeding and care. This bold intervention programme temporarily replaces chicks in the nest with dummy eggs so they can receive critical early-life support in the hospital, to help ensure the best possible chance of survival.
While in the hospital, chicks are fed a ‘Fish Smoothie’ – a five-fish combo that must be carefully prepared and sieved to remove bones and skin. Currently, preparing over 300 litres of this vital food takes staff and volunteers 3-5 months of tedious manual work. The new commercial sieve will reduce this to just 2 days, allowing the smoothie to be prepared closer to breeding season so Hoiho chicks receive fresher food with better nutrients when they need it most.
"… this will make a massive difference to our patients of course, and our staff and volunteers are over the moon!” said Suzanne Stephenson, Dunedin Wildlife Hospital's General Manager.
Events & Festivals:
Dunedin City Council, Puaka Matariki Festival 2026 - $15,000
Running from 4 July to 25 July 2026, the Puaka Matariki Festival is Ōtepoti/Dunedin’s month-long celebration of the Māori New Year. The festival will bring together mana whenua, community groups, schools and arts organisations to reflect and connect under the winter stars.
WOW! Productions Trust, 30 Acts of Art - $10,500
WOW! Productions will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2026 with a year-long series of free and accessible performances, workshops, online events, site-specific productions, and street activations throughout Ōtepoti/Dunedin.
South Dunedin Community Network Inc, Ebb & Flow Street Art Festival - $29,000
This volunteer-led initiative transforms public spaces into an open-air art gallery, with eight vibrant artworks connecting to the history, future, built environment, and ecology of South Dunedin.
Friends of the Globe Theatre Inc, Globe 65th Jubilee Season 2026 - $11,600
The 65th jubilee season will feature six fully staged productions showcasing the breadth and depth of theatrical talent that has made the Globe a beloved institution.
Brighton Gala Day 2026 - $1,000
Taking place on Sunday 18th January, this free, family-friendly event features hundreds of community fundraising initiatives, over 50 food vendors, local musicians, and traditional carnival attractions.
Arts On Tour NZ, 2025/26 Programme - $20,000
Arts on Tour connects artists with audiences bringing high-quality performances and exhibitions to rural centres including Ōamaru, Roxburgh, Alexandra, Cromwell, Tarras, Wānaka and Hāwea, that may otherwise not reach these communities.
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Otago Community Trust Grants, December 2025 |
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Alexandra |
Central Otago District Arts Trust |
5,000.00 |
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Central Otago Friendship Network |
5,000.00 |
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Probus 14 Alexandra |
1,000.00 |
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Central Otago A & P Association |
4,300.00 |
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Balclutha |
Kākā Point Surf Life Saving Club |
450,000.00 |
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Cromwell |
Cromwell Youth Trust |
4,000.00 |
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Cromwell Combined Society of Arts and Crafts Inc |
6,000.00 |
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Old Cromwell Incorporated |
2,600.00 |
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Dunedin |
Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust |
5,000.00 |
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Our Food Network Dunedin (OFN) Incorporated Society |
4,710.00 |
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Ōtākou Māori Womens Welfare League (Branch) |
1,800.00 |
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Tennis Otago Inc |
3,130.00 |
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Kaikorai Junior Cricket Club Inc |
1,000.00 |
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ADL |
7,117.00 |
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Pakistan Association of Otago Inc |
9,000.00 |
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Otago Secondary Schools Sports Assn |
8,055.00 |
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Otago Cricket Assn Inc |
75,000.00 |
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Portobello Coronation Hall Society Inc. |
30,000.00 |
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Dunedin City Council – Puaka Matariki Celebrations |
15,000.00 |
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South Dunedin Community Network Inc |
29,000.00 |
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Holy Name Church |
13,500.00 |
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Friends of the Globe Theatre Inc |
11,600.00 |
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The Valley Project |
25,000.00 |
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Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust |
88,000.00 |
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WOW! Productions Trust |
10,500.00 |
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The National Foundation for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing |
7,500.00 |
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Dunedin Curtain Bank Trust |
16,000.00 |
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Saddle Hill Foundation Trust |
35,000.00 |
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Youthline Otago Inc |
65,000.00 |
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Moana Gow Pool Trust |
9,674.00 |
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SuperGrans Dunedin Charitable Trust |
5,000.00 |
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Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Assn - Otago Centre |
2,760.00 |
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Dunedin Rugby Football Club Inc |
9,524.00 |
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Athletics Otago Inc |
2,400.00 |
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Wakari Cubs & Scout Group - Scout Assn of NZ |
2,250.00 |
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NZ Continence Assn Inc T/A Continence NZ |
3,000.00 |
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OUSA - The Peace Club |
1,500.00 |
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One Mother to Another |
5,000.00 |
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Dunedin Bird Club Inc |
650.00 |
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Wildlife Hospital Trust |
7,000.00 |
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Brighton Gala Day |
1,000.00 |
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Christ Loves All Nations |
3,000.00 |
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Dunedin Christmas Charitable trust |
5,000.00 |
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Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra Inc |
1,632.00 |
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Milton |
Tokomairiro High School |
75,000.00 |
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Milton Elder Care Trust |
7,000.00 |
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Mosgiel |
Reid Park Kindergarten |
4,000.00 |
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Athletics Taieri Incorporated |
500.00 |
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Ōamaru |
Ōamaru Tongan Methodist Parish |
8,000.00 |
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Ōamaru Albion Cricket Club Inc |
1,900.00 |
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North Otago Sports Bodies Assn Inc |
1,500.00 |
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Otago |
Inspiring Communities Trust |
4,080.00 |
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Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust |
2,030.00 |
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Heart Kids New Zealand Inc - Otago |
595.00 |
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Arts On Tour NZ |
20,000.00 |
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Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Society |
15,000.00 |
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Central Lakes Breastfeeding Charitable Trust |
3200.00 |
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Skeggs Foundation |
22,800.00 |
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Louise Perkins Foundation t/a Sweet Louise |
3,000.00 |
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Anxiety New Zealand Trust |
5,000.00 |
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Community Colleges NZ Ltd |
2,600.00 |
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Tititea Performing Arts Trust |
2,500.00 |
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Daily Encourager Trust |
1,500.00 |
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Te Hā Ora the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation |
10,000.00 |
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Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust |
5,400.00 |
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Roxburgh |
Roxburgh Golf Club Inc |
11,794.00 |
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Wānaka |
Wānaka Wastebusters |
5,000.00 |
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Mint Charitable Trust |
3,148.00 |
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Kāhu Youth Trust |
8,695.00 |
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Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka Incorporated |
8,800.00 |
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Upper Clutha Agricultural & Pastoral Society |
4,590.00 |
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Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust |
12,500.00 |
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Wānaka Lake Swimmers Incorporated |
600.00 |
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