District-wide Contestable Fund

Dates

• Mon 1 Mar 2027 Round 2 2026/27. Opens 1 February 2027. Decision due late March 2027. Add to calendar (.ics)Add to Google Calendar

What it funds

• Salaries, training and development, administration, and office expenses, rent and utilities, promotion and materials and small capital items
• Requests that contribute to a connected and thriving district

What it will not fund

• Activities promoting religious, ministry, or political purposes
• Debt repayment
• Legal and medical expenses
• Retrospective costs
• Large physical works needing consents or permits
• Services outside the district
• Alcohol purchases

Good to know

Two rounds a year, plus an urgent route if you need money within four to six weeks.

Two rounds a year; Round 2 for 2026/27 opens 1 February 2027 and closes 1 March 2027. Urgent requests can go to a council meeting outside the rounds.

Checklist

What Tararua Contestable Fund says you need:

• Apply through the online portal
• Show how the project fits one or more of the funding priorities

Common things funders ask for, worth having ready:

• What exactly is the money for, and when will you spend it?
• How much do you need, and do you have quotes under three months old?
• Who benefits, and how many people?
• Your legal name, registration number and bank account in the group's name.
• A committee or board decision approving the application (some funders want a signed resolution).
• Your latest financial statements or annual return.
• Other funders you have applied to for the same thing.

Ticks are saved on this device only.

Sources

What we relied on, in the funder's own words.

• The Contestable Fund, amounting to $100,000 annually, will support requests that contribute to a connected and thriving district.tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• Round 21 February 2027 1 March 2027 Late-March 2027tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• All applications must be submitted via the online portal.tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• The Contestable Fund will fund a wide range of costs integral to project or service delivery including salaries, training and development, administration, and office expenses, rent and utilities, promotion and materials and small capital items.tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• Retrospective costs (unless required as a grant condition)tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• Services outside the districttararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026
• your application can be considered at the next council meeting, please ensure your application is submitted two (2) weeks prior to the council meeting.tararuadc.govt.nz/living-community/community-funding/district-wide-contestable-fund · read 17 October 2026

Report a mistake

Spot something wrong? Reporting opens when the site launches. Until then, check the funder's own page linked above.