Groups from across the district are $52k better off after yesterday’s council meeting.

Waitomo District Council (WDC) have granted funding to eleven groups across the district through its Community Partnership Fund (CPF).

The CPF forms part of the Council’s broader Community Development Fund (CDF) which aims to ‘help our community help itself’ through making positive contributions to the community.

Successful applicants included Te Kuiti BMX Club, to install a new starting gate. Waitomo Indoor Sports Stadium, to help fund a defibrillator. The 2020 Ngāti Maniapoto me ōna hapū maha, Kawenata Awards who held their inaugural event last year. Piopio Primary School PTA will receive a contribution towards their new junior playground.

Legendary Te Kuiti will receive funds for their proposed legends gallery which will celebrate past and present Te Kuiti legends in an outdoor gallery on Rora Street.

The council also adopted a new direction for community funding. The council will move to one funding round with three types of grants available; single year community assistance, multi year community partnership and community events.

Helen Beever, general manager, community services says, “The change will make the process simpler and clearer for our community partners.  We will engage with the community about the new process and that work will begin in the new year.”

WDC will also continue to administer special grants on behalf of external organisations including; Creative Communities Scheme, Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund and the DC Tynan Trust.

WDC’s new community and partnerships fund comes into effect from 1 July 2021.