The Rangatahi-Led Fund is a fund from Otago Community Trust supporting rangatahi-led projects across Otago. Four groups of rangatahi have been established across Otago, each taking the lead on the fund for their area.
Up to $100,000 is available under the fund, with the North Otago, South Otago, Ōtepoti/Dunedin and Central Otago groups all having up to $25,000 to fund rangatahi-led projects in their area.
We are so proud to share with you the rangatahi-led projects that have been funded in each area of Otago in 2026 and over time we will be able to share with you what each of these awesome projects has achieved.
In total, 10 youth-led initiatives were supported in Ōtepoti/Dunedin receiving grants totalling $25,000.
The funded initiatives include:
Matariki Celebration (Trinity Catholic College) - $930
Requesting a second kai cooker and kai to celebrate Matariki as a school community.
Tuvaluan Cultural Festival - $2,500
A series of events to celebrate Tuvalu Independence Day.
Ngā Taonga Tākaro Wairua Pūhou Holiday Programme (Otago Girls High School) - $2,500
Holiday programme led by rangatahi leaders, teaching kapa haka and kī o rahi to tamariki.
Te Tiriti Workshops - $1,557
Workshop about Te Tiriti and how to be tangata tiriti for Chinese international students.
Fact Beast Country Challenge - $3,400
Filming episodes that interview rangatahi about their countries and culture.
Pātaka Kai Rangatahi Mahi (Bayfield High School)- $4,023
Creating a mini urban farm on the school grounds.
Lalanga Initiative - $1,500
Activities to promote a sense of belonging and use of Tongan language.
Youth Action Group (Greater Green Island Community Network) - $2,600
Activities and community events to promote community connection.
Chicken Coop (Purakaunui School) - $3,290
Installing a chicken coop on school grounds.
Cromwell Camp 2027 - $2,700
Camp taking Dunedin student volunteers to Central Otago, to remove wildling conifers.
In total, 8 youth-led initiatives were supported in North Otago, receiving grants totalling $25,000
The funded initiatives include:
Sei Tiares (Waitaki Girls High School) - $2,568
Pasifika students learning choreography and costume making to compete at Polyfest.
Gaga Ball Pit (Ōamaru Intermediate) - $1,080
Permanent gaga ball pit installed and dodge balls.
Garden Rock Flower Labels (St Kevin's College) - $550
Creating painted rock plant name labels for Ōamaru Botanic Gardens.
Spin Bars for Maheno School Playground - $5,000
Spin bars installed in school playground, to replace the decommissioned fort.
Mountain Bike Track (Waitaki Valley School) - $4,937
Building a mountain bike track on school grounds.
The Limestone Value Wall (Waitaki Valley School) - $3,500
Painting a mural with local artist to reflect the school values.
Mana Rangatira - $3,500
Pacific youth learning traditional music and dance.
Aviation Skills - $3,865
Flying lessons for air cadets.
In total, 5 youth-led initiatives were supported in South Otago, receiving grants totalling $13,208.
The funded initiatives include:
Legacy Mural (The Catlins Area School) - $1,025
Legacy mural from Year 13 students that reflects who we are as a community.
After School Arts - $1,399
After school arts programme for tamariki in Milton.
Social Committee Event Coordination (Tokomairiro High School) - $1,135
Portable speaker for school social events.
Balclutha Bridge Park Embellishment - $4,660
Painting murals on Bridge Park fort poles with local artists.
Feed the Need - $4,989
Butchery equipment to process meat for food bank donations.
9 youth-led initiatives in Central Otago received grants totalling $33,499 - a higher-than-usual figure due to the record number of applications in the region and having funds available from underspending in previous years.
The funded initiatives include:
Clyde Woolon Designers Group - $3,435
Woolon group rangatahi entering designs at Woolon Fashion Show.
Kapa Haka Poi and Uniforms for Clyde School - $3,155
Kapa haka uniforms and poi for competing at Polyfest.
Cromwell Primary Sensory Garden - $5,000
Enviroschool students creating a sensory garden on school grounds.
Canvas Collective - $5,000
Mural on Cromwell Swim Centre.
Showquest 2027 - $5,000
Group of students taking part in Showquest 2027.
Ōmakau Bike Repair Station - $2,399
Bike repair station by rail trail.
Koru Garden and Sandpit (Ōmakau School) - $3,500
Upgrading the sand pit to include box seating and creating a sensory space.
Mana Within - Blue Leadership and Self-Development Pathway - $5,000
Leadership and self development camp for younger cadets.
Cooks for the Community - $1,010
Group cooking workshop to teach cooking and make meals for the community.