Whānau Voice Grant
Guidelines and Criteria
Whānau Voice Grant
We have 8 x Whānau Voice Grants of $5,000 each to support kaupapa Māori-led initiatives that elevate whānau voice in health and wellbeing in the Te Taura o Waiariki region.
Opening Date: Monday, 9th March 2026
Closing Date: Wednesday, 8th April 2026
All applicants will be contacted on Friday, 17th April 2026, with the outcome of their Whānau Voice Grant applications.
Purpose of the Grant
The Whānau Voice Grant is about making sure the voices of our whānau are heard and valued when it comes to health and wellbeing. It supports whānau-led projects that share stories, experiences, and ideas in ways that make sense to them, and that are grounded in tikanga.
Your kōrero and insights will help show decision-makers what really matters to whānau, so future healthcare services can be more supportive, respectful, and culturally aware. Your whānau voice guides Te Taura Ora o Waiariki to champion local solutions and advocate for equitable funding across the Te Taura Ora o Waiariki region.
Whānau can share their voices in many ways – through hui, wānanga, workshops, surveys, interviews, storytelling, or even creative forms like film and video. This grant gives whānau the chance to design the approach that best fits their needs and aspirations.
Generate
Generate community whānau-led insights to influence health and social service
Support
Support creative and culturally grounded expression of whānau voice
Share
Share whānau aspirations for better health and wellbeing outcomes
Identify
Identify barriers and enablers to achieving wellbeing for whānau
Amplify
Amplify the lived experiences of whānau in relation to hauora and wellbeing
The proposed initiative does not need to be entirely new, it can also build on or enhance an existing kaupapa. However, only one application per whānau, hapū, or organisation will be accepted in each funding round.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to whānau, hapū, marae, organisations, or iwi-affiliated entities, whether you have a formal structure or not.
There are three ways you may apply:
Independent Whānau or Individuals
If you are applying as an independent whānau member or individual:
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Your project will be led and managed by you.
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Te Taura Ora o Waiariki will pay invoices directly to your preferred suppliers on your behalf.
This option is designed for whānau who may not have a formal organisation but still wish to lead a kaupapa in their community.
Whānau with an Umbrella Organisation
If your project is supported by a legal entity that will manage the funding:
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The umbrella organisation will receive and manage the funds on behalf of your project.
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The supporting organisation must provide:
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A letter of support
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Their legal entity certificate
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A bank deposit slip
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Legal Entities
Registered legal entities may also apply directly.
To qualify, the entity must:
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Not have public accountability
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Have annual revenue of less than $140,000
This threshold ensures the fund supports smaller organisations and community-led initiatives that may not otherwise have access to significant funding streams.
Legal entities will be required to upload their annual statement to verify their annual revenue.
Funding Priorities
Preference will be given to projects that have a focus on one or more of the Te Taura Ora o Waiariki (IMPB) priority health areas.
Additional weighting will be given to projects that elevate the voices of kaumātua, rangatahi, tāngata whaikaha, or initiatives based on rural or underserved communities.
Rangatahi Mental Health
Initiatives that explore the perspectives and experiences of Māori youth
Immunisations
Projects that surface whānau views or uptake patterns relating to childhood or adult vaccinations
Cancer Journeys
Kaupapa that investigate whānau awareness, barriers, or experiences with cancer
Oral Health
Initiatives exploring access, affordability, and whānau narratives about dental care
What Funds Can/Can't Be Used For
Examples of eligible activities:
- Hui, wānanga or focus groups
- One-on-one kōrero, group interviews or surveys (e.g., audio, video, written)
- Venue hire, kai, transport, koha for facilitators and contributors
- Digital tools or platforms for engagement and content creation (e.g., video, art, podcasts, digital storytelling)
- Costs associated with collating, editing, and presenting whānau voices
Examples of ineligible activities
- International travel or unrelated domestic travel
- Retrospective costs (for completed activities)
- Purchase of capital assets and equipment
- Alcohol, tobacco, personal expenses, debt repayment, or non-project-related expenses
- Salaries, consultancy, or professional project management costs
- Medical bills
- Legal costs
- Commercial ventures or fundraising activities
- Political advocacy or campaigning
- Administration costs *(the following administration costs will be considered; telecommunications, advertising, facilitator/coordinator, venue, kai costs, training and development and contractors)
Assessment Criteria and Points Allocation
Applications will be scored out of 100. Those receiving the highest overall scores will be considered for funding. Final funding decisions will be made by Te Taura Ora o Waiariki (IMPB) and are considered full and final.
Applications will be evaluated by an internal assessment panel using the following criteria.
| Criteria | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment with Purpose and Priorities | Clarity of focus on whānau voice, and relevance to Te Taura Ora o Waiariki (IMPB) health priorities | 30 |
| Whānau Leadership and Cultural Integrity | Evidence of kaupapa Māori design and/or whānau-led delivery | 20 |
| Project Design and Feasibility | Realism of timeline, clarity of methodology, and achievability | 20 |
| Innovation and Impact | Creativity of approach and potential to influence future health planning | 10 |
| Ethical Practice | Consideration of consent, cultural safety, and data protection | 10 |
| Budget Appropriateness | Realistic, cost-effective, and aligned with eligible expenses | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Preference will be given to projects that have a focus on one or more of the Te Taura Ora o Waiariki (IMPB) priority health areas.
Additional weighting will be given to projects that elevate the voices of kaumātua, rangatahi, tāngata whaikaha, or initiatives based on rural or underserved communities.
Checklist
To help ensure a seamless application process, we’ve provided a list of items so you may prepare them in advance. Please select a category to view a list of required and optional documents to upload to your application.
- Project Budget (Excel spreadsheet) detailing how the funds will support your work. Include key items such as materials, resources, travel, facilitation, or other relevant expenses.
- Quotes (optional)
- Project plans (optional)
- Letters of support (optional)
- Images (optional)
- Letter of support from legal entity stating they agree to umbrella the initiative
- Legal Entity Certificate
- Proof of Bank Account (of legal entity)
- Project Budget detailing how the funds will support your work. Please outline whether you have also applied for funding from other sources.
- Quotes (optional)
- Project plans (optional)
- Other letters of support (optional)
- Images (optional)
- Legal Entity Certificate
- Proof of Bank Account
- Most recent annual financial report or performance report to verify the annual revenue is less than $140,000.
- Project Budget detailing how the funds will support your work. Please outline whether you have also applied for funding from other sources.
- Quotes (optional)
- Project plans (optional)
- Other letters of support (optional)
- Images (optional)
What is the process?
1
ApplyPlease complete the online grant application form, attach all required documents, and submit it by the due date. |
2
ConfirmationYou will receive an email confirming your submission and an overview of the next steps. |
3
ReviewYour application will be checked against eligibility criteria. We may contact you for more information. |
4
AgreementYou will be notified by email if your application is approved/declined. Successful applicants will receive grant details. |
5
OutcomeSign the grant agreement. Once signed, funding will be released in phases and linked to milestones. |