The recent application round for the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Community grants attracted 188 applications and recipients have been announced.
This was a one-time funding opportunity aimed at supporting community kapa haka events, kapa haka development, and individual growth. Applicants were not eligible if they were already receiving funding from Te Matatini Society Inc. Applicants needed to demonstrate their contributions to the art form across all three grant categories. Priority consideration for the komiti and kapa grants was given to those with prior kapa haka experience.
Komiti Grant of $5,000
18 applications were received for the Komiti Grant designed for any komiti planning to host a kapa haka event within the next 12 months. Suggested uses for this grant include operational costs, equipment hire, and other event-related needs.
Congratulations to Aronui Arts Festival Charitable Trust. The Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival is a Charitable Trust that organises Māori events, including kapa haka, throughout the year in the Rotorua region.
Two x Kapa Grant - $5,000 each
42 applications were received for the Kapa Grant that was available to kapa attending competitive performances within the upcoming year (excluding Te Matatini nationals). Suggested uses include kākahu, props, wānanga or noho costs.
Congratulations to:
Te Weranga o Waitohi: Te Weranga o Waitohi is a newly formed kapa haka group made up of Year 7 and 8 students from Queen Charlotte College.
Ngā Aho Rau Kapa Haka: Nga Aho Rau Kapa Haka was established in 2021 as a pathway for Māori medium ākonga at Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls.
Five x Kaihaka Grants – $1,000 each
128 applications for the Kaihaka Grant were received. This grant supports emerging kaihaka participating in performances over the next 12 months, including Te Matatini nationals. Suggested uses for funds include noho or club fees, travel, and kākahu.
Congratulations to:
Te Ata-i-rangi Horomona: Te Ata-i-rangi Horomona is currently trialling with Te Reanga Morehu o Rātana, to perform at the 2025 Matatini. If successful, this will be her first stand at Matatini.
Komau Waaka is 15 years old and will be travelling to Switzerland in 2025, with his kapa haka, Te Wharekura o Ruatoki, to perform at the International Folklore Festival of Fribourg.
Donny Te Ahipene Rangiaho Kohunui: Donny Kohunui is currently trialling with Te Poho o Hinekahukura, to perform at the 2025 Matatini. If successful, this will be her first stand at Matatini.
Gabriel Te-Rongopai Kohunui: Gabriel Kohunui is currently trialling with Te Poho o Hinekahukura to perform at the 2025 Matatini. If successful, this will be his first stand at Matatini.
Mahlee Hakaraia-Brunt: Mahlee Hakaraia-Brunt is 14 years old and hopes to travel to Rarotonga next year with her school kapa haka, Wellington East Girls College.