Community Wellbeing in 2022/2023

Engage to Empower: Head of Community Investment Kate Sclater on the significance of community engagement

This past year, communities across our four funding regions have again faced significant challenges. Global issues such as the rising cost of living and the climate crisis continue to have localised impacts, including adverse weather events, flooding across Te Tau Ihu, and increasing mental health concerns.

Some communities have been disproportionately impacted by the challenges of the past year and are experiencing inequalities which can be complex to address. This reinforces the need for our new purpose; We strive for an equitable and sustainable society under the korowai of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We have transitioned our funding to ensure help reaches those who need it most.

A critical part of this mahi has been increasing the time we spend reaching out to communities who face barriers. Over the year in review, we have had 687 engagements with people and organisations in the community. Our focus has been strengthening existing relationships and forming new ones as we try to remove the barriers to funding in areas of need.

We are committed to working alongside our communities to meet their immediate needs and their medium and long-term aspirations.

A crucial step we have identified to remove barriers is to make information about our funding process more accessible. Funding tips are now available on our website in several community languages, including English, Te Reo, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori and Fijian. This mahi is ongoing and we will continue to be guided by insights from our engagements with organisations about the needs of the communities they serve.  

Over the budget year ending 31 March 2023, our Community Investment Programme made 635 grants across our five funding focus areas - Learn, Support, Connect, Participate, and Sustain.