Apply for funding this summer for your community project
Applications are opening in December and in January for a range of Council-administered funds to support community projects and events in the Waikato district for next year.
There are funds for supporting creative and performing arts, heritage, conservation and a range of other community projects and events – so get your thinking caps on and tell us what you need!
Three funds have closing dates in February for their first round of applications for the year:
• Waikato District Council Discretionary Grants Fund (opens 1 December, closes 2 February)
• Creative Communities Fund (opens 1 December, closes 23 February)
• Heritage Project Fund (opens 19 January, closes 23 February)
The Waikato District Community Wellbeing Trust Fund has a single funding round for the year which opens on 26 January and closes on 30 March.
In the past financial year the Council committed grants totalling more than $750,000 for distribution to 160 community groups and charities throughout the district enabling communities to come together to meet local needs.
These included more than $610,000 of targeted and discretionary Council funds, another $48,441 distributed on behalf of the Creative Communities Scheme Fund, and $88,250 distributed on behalf of the Waikato District Community Wellbeing Trust, an independent trust the Council administers.
The Heritage Project Fund was a new Council initiative last year. Among the first projects it funded were heritage signs for Raglan and Te Kowhai, and restoration work on the exterior of the Tuakau Museum.
Go to www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz... to find out more.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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58.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.4% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.7% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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