Taupō/Taupō East Rural Community Grant
Funding round dates
Applications for the next round of funding for the Taupō and Taupō East Rural Community Grant will open again from 1 to 30 September 2026, with decisions made in November. Further details are available in our Funding Portal.
Have questions? Email us at funding@taupo.govt.nz.
Overview
Supporting vibrant, connected communities in the Taupō and Taupō East Rural wards, this grant helps bring local projects to life – from cultural celebrations, sporting events and whānau wellbeing to environmental initiatives and community spaces.
If you need funding support for a project or imitative that benefits the community in the Taupō and Taupō East Rural areas, consider applying for up to $5,000 under this fund! There is $150,000 available for distribution annually, split across two funding rounds of $75,000.
This funding is distributed by the Taupō/Taupō East Rural Grant Distribution Committee.
Eligibility
Applications must align to our eligibility requirements – as outlined here.
The application process
Step 1: Plan
- You need to start by getting your ducks in a row and evidencing the need for your project before our funding rounds open.
- Check out our funding calendar to know when our funding rounds are next open.
- Our Funding Toolkit will also support you to create a funding plan for your project.
- Sign up to our Community Kōrero newsletter to keep up to date with funding news and opportunities.
- Familiarise yourself with our eligibility requirements and funding criteria which outlines how we consider and prioritise applications to TDC funds.
- If you haven’t submitted a request with us before, we recommend you use this time to create an account and familiarise yourself with our Funding Portal.
Step 2: Prepare
- Once you’ve created an account in our Funding Portal, you will be able to view our application form to get an idea of the types of questions we will ask in an application.
- In addition to our written questions, you will also need to provide the below information as part of your application:
- Evidence of Bank Account
- A budget
- A copy of your latest financial statement (if you are an individual applying this is not required)
- Two quotes, or reasoning for why two quotes cannot be provided
- Any other documentation you think will support your application.
Step 3: Apply
- When funding rounds open, you will be able to submit an online application through our Funding Portal.
- Funds will generally be open for one month. Unfortunately late and/or paper applications cannot be accepted.
- We recommend submitting well before the closing date to allow us to review and come back to you if any additional information is required. We will message you through the Funding Portal if any additional information is sought.
- Once you submit your online application, you’ll instantly receive an automated email confirming we’ve got it – no need to wonder if it went through!
- We hope to get back to you within eight weeks of the application period closing.
Step 4: Assessment
- Your application is considered against different criteria and funding framework depending on what fund you’re applying to.
- The Taupō and Taupō East Rural Fund uses this criteria.
Step 5: Decisions
- Different committees consider funding applications.
- If you wish, you may be present at these meetings to answer any questions of clarification decision makers may have.
- Where this applies, we will ask as part of your application if you wish to be present at the decision meeting. If you select ‘yes’ we will be in touch to let you know of the details at the application closing date.
- Committee members, meeting times and locations are available to view here.
- Once decisions have been made, we’ll let you know the outcome through the Funding Portal. You’ll also receive an email notification with a letter confirming the decision.
Step 6: Payment
- If your organisation is GST registered, you will need to send an invoice for the amount offered plus GST to funding@taupo.govt.nz.
- If you are not GST registered, there is nothing you need to do! You will receive the grant payment within one month.
- Don’t forget – we’d love for you to show our support of your project by displaying our logo on your promotional material. Our logo and brand guidelines can be accessed here.
Step 7: Tell us how you got on!
- While we haven’t met anyone who loves written reporting just yet, this is a really important part of the process to help us account for how funds are being spent!
- All reporting will be completed online, in our Funding Portal under the “milestones” tab.
- All funding recipients are required to spend and account for the funds within 12 months of being successful.
- Your reporting asks for updates on how the project went, as well as evidence of how the grant was spent (e.g. receipts, media promotion etc).
Further information
For further information please contact our Taupō District Council funding team:
- Email: funding@taupo.govt.nz
- Phone: 07 376 0899
Past funding recipients
2026 funding recipients
Funding recipients March/April 2026
| Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
| Taupō Budget Advisory Service Incorporated | To support operational costs (wages) | $5,000.00 |
| Taupō Bluelight Ventures | To support operational costs (wages, equipment, travel) | $5,000.00 |
| Lake Taupō Woodworkers Guild | To support operational costs (rent of club workshop) | $2,400.00 |
| The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inc | To support operational costs of the SPCA centre | $2,000.00 |
| Taupō Community Patrol | To support operational costs (general) | $3221.00 |
| Town Centre Taupō | To support costs of Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival | $5,000.00 |
| Age Concern Taupō | To support operational costs (wages) | $3,000.00 |
| Wairakei Community Group | To support costs for the Wairakei Community Matariki Event | $972.00 |
| Citizens Advice Bureau Taupō | To support operational costs (wages) | $4,720.00 |
| Family & Financial Solutions Trust | To support operational costs (wages) | $3,000.00 |
| Taupō Netball Centre | To support the Positive Vibes Only Programme and court hire | $2,000.00 |
| Emma Hampson-Tindale | To support travel costs of attending the Australian Gymnastics National Championships 2026 | $1,500.00 |
| Pregnancy Help Taupō | To support operational costs (rent and wages) | $2,500.00 |
| Taupō Neighbourhood Support | To support operational costs (wages and rent) | $2,500.00 |
| Ruth Tremain | To purchase fabric for pyjamas for children and their families (donated through Pregnancy Help Inc) | $500.00 |
| Momentum Charitable Trust | To deliver life and financial skills programmes supporting reintegration for Taupō Residents | $2,190.00 |
| Oruanui Pony Club | To deliver community first aid courses | $2,000.00 |
| Nikea Williams | To support travel costs for Nikea to represent New Zealand in Polocrosse | $2,000.00 |
| Kinloch Community Association Incorporated | To purchase pavers and signage for the Kinloch Beach Mat | $4,447.00 |
| Rugby101 Kiwi Warrior Incorporated | To support marketing and operational costs for the Rugby 101 sport | $2,500.00 |
| Taupō Multicultural Council | To support operational costs (training, rent, resources) | $3,000.00 |
| Taupō Districit Riding Club and Bridleways | To support the maintenance of Bridleways | $1,500.00 |
| Tania Withers | He Kai Taonga | $1,000.00 |
| Girl Guides NZ | To support programme delivery that empowers girls and young women across the country | $1,200.00 |
| Mt Tauhara Gymnastics | To purchase new heaters for the gymnasium | $1,900.00 |
| Good Bitches Trust (trading as Good Bitches Baking) | To support operational costs of the Baking it Better Taupō programme | $500.00 |
| Taupō Academy of Dance Parents | To support travel costs for a group to attend the She Shines on Dance Tour 2026 | $3,500.00 |
| International Mums Group | To support operational costs | $650.00 |
| Lake Taupō Hospice | To purchase a specialised air mattress for patients | $2,300.00 |
| Taupō Rowing Club | To suppport travel costs of the Taupō Rowing Club -Junior Squad | $3,000.00 |
| Te Korowai Roopu Tautoko Inc | To purchase new gym equipment for the Te Korowai Roopu Tautoko Hauora Space | Declined |
| Treats of Taupō | Treats of Taupō - Food Festival | Declined |
| Te Ngare o Te Kohera | To clear land at Te Wharakenga o Tētahi Whenua Wāhanga o te o Whangamtā No.3 | Declined |
| Paula Gee-wanhill | To deliver wise ones fitness classes | Declined |
| Taupō Community Gardens | To develop a youth volunteer program | Declined |
| Awhina Taupō Community Foodbank | To support the Food Security Project: Boosting Storage for Community Distribution | Declined |
| The Order of St John New Zealand - Taupō Area Committee | To purchase an Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for a residential community | Declined |
| Life Education Trust Central Plateau | To develop takehome packs for Taupō and Taupō East Rural Schools | Declined |
| Aphasia NZ | To support Aphasia support services in the district | Declined |
| Brain Injury Waikato | To support costs of delivering education and support groups | Declined |
| Taupō Cosmopolitan Leisure Marchers | To support venue hire for 2 May 2026 event | Declined |
| Parkinson's New Zealand | To deliver wrap-around support for people with Parkinson's in the Taupō district | Declined |
| Taupō Disc Golf Club | To replace vandalised metal basket hole parts | Declined |
| Bowel Cancer New Zealand | To deliver the patient wellbeing programme for Taupō residents affected by Bowel Cancer | Declined |
| Taupō Parents Centre | To deliver the Taupō Car Seat Service | Declined |
| Great Lake Taupō Fillipino Basketball | To support venue hire for the 5th Winter League, One Day Tournament | Declined |
| Sam Westlake - Taupō Collectibles Event | To support venue hire costs of delivering the Taupō Collectibles Event | Declined |
2025 funding recipients
Funding recipients August 2025
Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
Active Arts Incorporated Taupō | To purchase plaster and wooden moulds for the pottery studio | $2,000.00 |
Age Concern Taupō Inc. | To support wage costs | $2,000.00 |
Centre Stage Taupō Inc | To support the rental/purchase of wireless body microphones for an upcoming collaborative project with The Great Lake Big Band | $2,291.00 |
Citizens Advice Bureau - Taupō | To support wage costs | $2,230.00 |
Emma Hampson-Tindale | To fund fights and accommodation to compete in the World Trampoline Championships in Spain | $2,500.00 |
Equestrian Sport New Zealand - National Equestrian Centre Taupō | Operational materials to improve health and safety management of the entire facility | $1,500.00 |
Family & Financial Solutions Trust | To support wage costs for three Certified Financial Mentors, in support of the local community | $2,500.00 |
Lake Taupō Parkinson's Support Group | To purchase two spin bikes for exercise classes | $1,065.00 |
Lake Taupō Woodworkers Guild. - Ngā Kaihanga Rawa Rākau (o Taupō) | To purchase an air filtration unit which is not a fixed unit so can be utilised at other venues the woodworkers are exhibiting i.e Wairakei School Hall. | $1,329.00 |
Life Education Trust Central Plateau | To support salary for educator to deliver the Healthy Harold programme in Taupo schools | $2,500.00 |
Lifelink/Samaritans Incorporated | To support operational costs and training for volunteers | $1,000.00 |
Momentum Charitable Trust | To support life and financial skills programmes run at the Taupo Probation Centre | $4,170.00 |
Nukis Boxing Gym | To purchase uniforms for new boxers and coaches to be used at competition and events | $3,000.00 |
Pregnancy Help Charitable Trust | To support operational costs | $4,000.00 |
Rangitaiki Community Association | To assist with the removal and replacement of the two broken soffits and new blinds to protect the new flooring | $4,604.00 |
Rotorua and Districts Multiple Sclerosis Society Incorporated | To support with the Community Adviser's employment costs, vehicle running cost, transport support for members and funding support group meetings as required. | $500.00 |
Rugby 101 Kiwi Warrior | To support sports equipment and marketing materials | $4,193.00 |
Tauhara College Arts Department | To support the Tauhara College Arts Showcase | $500.00 |
Taupō BMX | To support St John Ambulance services for BMX events | $1,000.00 |
Taupō Budget Advisory Service Inc | To support operational costs | $2,500.00 |
Taupō Disc Golf Club | To purchase 9 new RPM Helix disc golf baskets for Spa Park | $2,000.00 |
Taupō Girls Rugby | To support costs for the Taupo Girls Rugby team travelling to Hong Kong for a 7s rugby tour. | $5,000.00 |
Taupō Neighbourhood Support | To support with the partial funding of wages for our Area Coordinator | $2,500.00 |
Taupo-nui-a-Tia College | To purchase sports equipment for break time sports hub | $1,918.00 |
Towncentre Taupō | To support the inclusion of the skate park water tank as a site for a mural for Graffiato and to paint over some of the tagging on past mural in the CB | $5,000.00 |
Taupō Timebank | To support a kai kitchen fitout, a community kitchen facility. Stainless steel benches, cooking utensils and equipment | $2,400.00 |
Taupō Association Football Club | To purchase team uniforms with new goal keeping jerseys and gloves | $1,400.00 |
Tri Sport Taupō Incorporated | To support coaching costs for the junior division of the triathlon club | $2,500.00 |
Ty Alexander Blake | To support ravel and accommodation costs for an upcoming Tri Nations Youth Rodeo Challenge in Australia and another challenge in New Zealand December 2025 | $1,000.00 |
Wairakei Community Group | Outdoor movie night community event | $3,500.00 |
Youthtown | To support a mentoring program for alternative education participants in collaboration with Lake Local | $2,400.00 |
Act2 Visual and Performing Arts School | To support tutoring fees for external pacifica workshops | Ineligible |
Epilepsy Association of New Zealand | To support operational costs and wages for the lakes educator | Declined |
Paula Gee | To purchase equipment for senior exercise classes and to purchase an AED machine for the studio | Declined |
Heart Kids New Zealand | To support operational costs | Declined |
From Raw to Radiant – The Fibre Rescue Project | To support essential equipment and fibre processing services | Declined |
Garth & Angie London | To support an AED defibrillator at our Whakaipo Lodge location close to Whakaipo Bay | Declined |
Great Lake Taupo Filipino Basketball Inc | To subside the running costs of the basketball tournaments | Declined |
Lake Taupō District Sports Advisory Council | To support part time employment for the 2025 Lake Taupo District Sports Awards | Declined |
SPCA Taupō | To provide a further 25 community desexing vouchers for families in Taupō | Declined |
Taupō Lakes and Waterways (TLAW) | To support with forum administration costs | Ineligible |
Taupō Rodeo Club Inc | To purchase a generator, sound system and advertising costs for a Taupō Rodeo event | Declined |
Taupō Phoenix Rugby League Club | To assist in costs associated with celebrating 21 years | Declined |
Te Rerewai Meihana | To support accomodation, transport and fees to attend Aims games- a National sporting competition | Declined |
Funding recipients April 2025
Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
Pregnancy Help Inc | To support operational costs | $5,000.00 |
Taupō Parents Centre | To support child-birth education and post-birth classes | $5,000.00 |
Towncentre Taupō | To support operational costs for the Graffiato Street Festival | $4,000.00 |
Life Education Trust Central Plateau | To support salary for Healthy Harold programme | $2,500.00 |
Taupō Concert Band Inc | To purchase percussion equipment | $4,000.00 |
Awhina Society Trust | To support operational costs | $3,000.00 |
Citizens Advice Bureau Taupō Inc | To support salary costs for centre manager | $4,480.00 |
Great Lake Film Society | To support costs for a feature film | $2,000.00 |
Taupō Budget Advisory Service | To support operational costs | $4,000.00 |
Taupō Timebank | To purchase timber for Upskillz programme | $4,600.00 |
Age Concern Taupō Inc. | To support wages for staff | $4,000.00 |
Real Southern Lakes | To support costs for Youth Week | $2,500.00 |
Studio42 | To support operational and equipment costs for music initiatives | $2,500.00 |
Wairakei Community Group - Rachel Canning | To support a Matariki celebration event | $1,087.00 |
Taupō School of Music | To fund venue hire for concert | $643.00 |
One Taupō Trust | To support operational costs for Light Hub | $1,000.00 |
Girl Guides Association NZ | To support hall hire expenses | $2,400.00 |
Bay of Plenty Music School - Taupō Committee | To aid in running 2025 music school | $3,000.00 |
Taupō Netball Centre | To purchase water drinking station | $3,800.00 |
Wairakei Primary School | To purchase and install a school map board | $2,000.00 |
Kinloch Village Golf Club | To purchase an oven for renovation project | $4,100.00 |
Taupō Community Playgroup | To support renovation costs for children's toilets | $3,500.00 |
From Raw to Radiant - The Fibre Rescue Project | To support equipment costs for a Fibre Rescue Project | $2,500.00 |
Rangitaiki Community and School Association | To support operational costs for the Rangitaiki Hall | $5,000.00 |
Ruth Tremain | To purchase wool and flannelette fabric which will be used to produce clothing for Tamariki | $1,000.00 |
Centre Stage Taupō Inc | To purchase hazer equipment | $3,529.00 |
Taupō Family Centre Inc | To support wage costs | $2,500.00 |
Family & Financial Solutions Trust | To support wage costs for financial mentors | $3,000.00 |
Dementia Lakes Charitable Trust | To support operating costs for Dementia Advisor | $1,700.00 |
Taupō Community Gardens | To cover wages for part-time coordinators | $3,600.00 |
Special Olympics Taupō Trust | To support travel costs to National Summer Games | $5,000.00 |
AphasiaNZ Charitable Trust | To support Community Aphasia Advisor service | $500.00 |
Taupō AFC | To purchase equipment for junior football teams | $1000.00 |
24/7 Youth Work | To support youth worker wages | $1000.00 |
Volcanic Dive Squad | To support equipment and operational costs | $5000.00 |
Momentum Charitable Trust | To support Life101 skills programmes | $4170.00 |
Oruanui Pony Club | To purchase community AED device | $3500.00 |
Emma Hampson-Tindale | To support costs for Australian Gymnastics Championships | $1200.00 |
Rose Prisk | To support costs to represent NZ in Trans-Tasman Challenge | $1200.00 |
Kian Weston | To support travel costs for World Triathlon Championships | $1200.00 |
Esme Morgan | To support travel to Mounted Games World Championships | $1200.00 |
The Parkinson's New Zealand Charitable Trust | To support service delivery costs | $500.00 |
Central Plateau REAP Charitable Trust | To support programme for students with learning difficulties | $5000.00 |
Brain Injury Waikato Inc. | To support wages for Navigation and Support Officer | $1000.00 |
Great Lake Taupō Filipino Basketball Incorporated | To support operational costs for tournaments | $1600.00 |
Taupō Neighbourhood Support | To support partial wage funding for area coordinator | $5000.00 |
Taupō Pink Walk | To support advertising and operational costs | $500.00 |
Taupō District Riding Club and Bridleways Inc. | To support maintenance costs of bridleways | $4396.00 |
Good Bitches Trust | To support operational costs for GBB programme | $897.00 |
International Mum’s Group | To support material and advertising costs | $1000.00 |
Taupō Phoenix Rugby League Club | To assist with operational costs | $2500.00 |
SPCA | To provide desexing vouchers for local Whānau | $4913.00 |
Micah Wallace | To support travel costs to AusCycling National Series | $1000.00 |
Taupō Lakes and Waterways | To support operational costs of LWAG programme | $4785.00 |
Diabetes New Zealand | To support operational, travel, and event costs | Declined |
Taupō Disc Golf Club | To purchase disc golf baskets | Declined |
HRUNZ Charitable Trust | To help fund operational costs to deliver the service at no cost for whanau who are unable to attend. | Redirected to the appropriate fund |
2024 funding recipients
Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
Taupō Multicultural Community Council Incorporation | To provide a forum for all ethnicities living in our community | $2500.00 |
Taupō Community Playgroup | Reroofing of the community playgroup building and outdoor maintenance | $3306.75 |
Gabrielle Donald | Support to attend the London International Youth Science Forum | $1000.00 |
Taupō Bridge Club | To support costs to provide an opening glass window for the club | $1144.25 |
Rangitaiki Community Hall and School Association | To fund heating for Rangitaiki Community Hall | $6605.00 |
Nikki Stormont | To purchase equipment and items for the River Road Craft Group | $1092.00 |
Nukuhau Marae | To support Tūwharetoa Marae Sports | $1500.00 |
Taupō Parents Centre | To support the Taupō Car Seat Service | $1000.00 |
Taupō Association Football Club | To help fund the Taupō Club playing uniforms for our 55 youth players | $1000.00 |
Lake Taupō Hospice | To support a school liaison salary for the Creative Carnival | $3000.00 |
River Road Residents Collective – Tina Shaw | To purchase and locate an AED at the River Road Community Hall | $3606.00 |
Taupō Council of Social Services (TCOSS) | To support a community governance programme | $3000.00 |
Te Hokinga ki to Mauri Trust | To support costs to host Rongoa Wananga to cater to the Taupō community | $2000.00 |
Nexus Dance Team | To support costs for students to attend the NZDA New Zealand Dance Awards in Christchurch. | $1000.00 |
Hilltop School YR 8 Dance Team | To support the Team's travel costs to compete at DanceNZmade Finals in Palmerston North | Declined |
Wairakei Community | To improve both entranceways into Wairakei Village | Application Withdrawn |
Tirohanga School | To support disc Golf for our community | Application Ineligible – Withdrawn |
2023 funding recipients
Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
Wairakei Primary School | To purchase book shelving units for the school student library. Units are designed to match and compliment current units. | $2,296.00 |
Taupo Model Railway Club Inc. | Operational Costs to assist in running the Taupo Model Railway Club. | $2,600.00 |
Rangitaiki Community Hall & School Association | Fire Alarm repair | Declined |
Taupo Community Playgroup | To provide outdoor seating and eating areas | $3,350.00 |
2022 funding recipients
Applicant | Purpose | Allocation |
Rangitaiki Community Hall & School Association | Rangitaiki Hall Running Costs | $5,000.00 |
Tauhara Te Maunga | Senior travel & field/change room seasonal hire | $500.00 |
Taupo Community Playgroup | Deck Maintenance | $1,638.99 |
Taupo Timebank | Taupo Timebank Community Garden. | $2,000.00 |
Wairakei Primary School | School Signage | $2,870.00 |
Youthtown Inc | Budget support for free afterschool space providing life skills and community connection for rangatahi in Taupo. | $5,000.00 |
Central Plateau Enrichment Academy Inc Ltd t/a ADDI | Employment of a volunteers coordinator | Declined |
Tirohanga School | Community Nature Trail | Declined |
Wairakei Primary School | Painting of Wairakei Community/School Hall | Declined |
Taupo Concert Band Incorporated | All sorts Concert | Declined |
Country Kidz ECE | Safety matting | Declined |
Kinloch Community Association Incorporated | Manage and maintain the Whangamata Stream Trail on behalf of DoC. | Declined |
Transparency matters
Please note that all information provided in your application will be made available to relevant funding committees for assessment purposes. Select details - including your name, organisation name, and the amount applied for will also be made publicly available on the Council website.
