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Grants and scholarships in New Zealand

27 funding programs listed for people and organizations in New Zealand, from government, arts councils, foundations and Indigenous funders. Check intake status and the source-check date before planning an application.

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27 programs listed8 confirmed accepting applications. Each program appears once.
  • Creative New ZealandNew Zealand2026 results out Sep 10; next round not announced

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Arts Organisations and Groups Fund

    One- to three-year funding for arts organisations and groups, in general arts, Ngā toi Māori and Pacific arts pools.

    • Arts and culture
    • Indigenous languages
    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    From NZ$10,000 a year; tiers 1-2 up to NZ$125,000 a year
  • Foundation NorthNew ZealandOpen all year. Decision within about 4 months of a complete request.

    Accepting applications

    Community Grants

    Larger grants of more than NZ$25,000 for charitable work that benefits Auckland or Northland. Open all year with decisions within about four months.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    More than NZ$25,000
  • Department of Internal AffairsNew ZealandOnce a year (2026 round: Apr 15 to May 13)

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS)

    Local committees fund community-based services and projects, including running costs.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Education and youth programs

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Varies by local committee
  • Trust WaikatoNew ZealandFebruary 12, 2027

    Deadline listed; check intake

    Community Response Fund

    Trust Waikato's main grant round for Waikato community groups, covering projects, capital builds under NZ$1 million, operating costs and events. It runs three rounds a year.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Not stated; capital projects under NZ$1 million total cost
  • Creative New Zealand (Toi Aotearoa) with city and district councilsNew ZealandEach council sets its own closing dates, with up to four rounds a year. Check your local council website.

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Creative Communities Scheme

    Creative New Zealand money handed out by local councils for small local arts projects. Projects must boost community participation in the arts, support diverse cultural traditions, or involve young people under 18.

    • Arts and culture
    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Education and youth programs

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    No set limit; most grants are under NZ$5,000
  • Creative New ZealandNew ZealandUsually two rounds a year (2026: Mar 5 and Sep 24); next dates not confirmed

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Creative Fellowship Fund

    Time to develop your practice and new work: six or twelve months of funding. Applications go to the general arts, Ngā toi Māori or Pacific arts pool.

    • Arts and culture
    • Indigenous languages

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    NZ$25,000 (6 months) or NZ$50,000 (12 months)
  • Creative New ZealandNew ZealandUsually two rounds a year (2026: Feb 26 and Sep 17); next dates not confirmed

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Creative Impact Fund

    For artists to create and present work, publish, research or share knowledge, for up to 18 months. Applications go to the general arts, Ngā toi Māori or Pacific arts pool.

    • Arts and culture
    • Indigenous languages

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Up to NZ$125,000 (most under NZ$100,000)
  • Creative New ZealandNew Zealand2026 round closed Aug 27; next not confirmed

    Awaiting next round

    Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners

    Professional development for artists: research, training, coaching, mentoring, workshops, conferences, wānanga or talanoa. Applications go to the general arts, Ngā toi Māori or Pacific arts pool.

    • Arts and culture
    • Indigenous languages

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Up to NZ$5,000
  • Creative New ZealandNew Zealand2026 round 1 closed Mar 5

    Awaiting next round

    Early Career Fund

    Support for artists early in their careers. Applications go to the general arts, Ngā toi Māori or Pacific arts pool.

    • Arts and culture

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Up to NZ$10,000
  • Te Rūnanga o Ngāi TahuNew ZealandThe 2026 round ran 1 March to 30 April and is closed; the 2027 dates are not yet posted.

    Awaiting next round

    Kā Pūtea Grant

    A yearly study grant from Ngāi Tahu for registered tribal members enrolled in tertiary study. It is a small contribution toward study costs, applied for online through the Ngāi Tahu grants portal.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    NZ$250 for the first year of full-time study, NZ$500 for each later year; pro-rata for part-time study
  • Lottery Grants Board Te Puna TahuaNew ZealandCheck the DIA funding calendar

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Lottery Environment and Heritage

    Plans, reports and one-off projects that protect, conserve or promote New Zealand's natural, cultural and physical heritage, including collections and stories.

    • Libraries, archives and heritage
    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Small projects under NZ$250,000; large projects NZ$250,000+
  • Lottery Grants Board Te Puna TahuaNew ZealandFebruary 2, 2027

    Opens soon

    Lottery Fund

    Lottery profits for community projects: community strength, participation, health and environment, arts, culture and heritage, and sport and recreation.

    • Arts and culture
    • Libraries, archives and heritage
    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Education and youth programs

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Varies
  • Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua) - Lottery Grants BoardNew ZealandNo deadline, apply any time. Allow 4 to 12 weeks for a decision; call DIA first if the project starts within 12 weeks.

    Accepting applications

    Lottery Minister's Discretionary Fund

    One-off grants for not-for-profit projects that fall outside the main Lottery committees, such as volunteer fire and ambulance projects, animal welfare projects and governance or financial planning training. It also supports recovery after natural disasters.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Not stated; one-off grants
  • Te Puni KōkiriNew ZealandTalk to your nearest Te Puni Kōkiri regional office first; decisions usually take six to eight weeks.

    Accepting applications

    Māori Development Fund

    Te Puni Kōkiri invests in projects that grow the Māori economy, such as lifting the productivity of iwi and Māori assets, growing exports and building community capability. There are no rounds; proposals go through a regional office at any time.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Business

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Minimum request NZ$100,000; no stated maximum
  • Māori Education TrustNew ZealandApril 30, 2027

    Opens soon

    Māori Education Trust Undergraduate Scholarships

    Scholarships for Māori students at undergraduate level.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    See the Trust's site
  • Ngā Pae o te MāramatangaNew ZealandThe 2027 round is due to open later in 2026, date to be confirmed; the last round ran 6 October to 10 November 2025.

    Awaiting next round

    Māori Futures Programme PhD Scholarships

    Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the Māori Centre of Research Excellence, funds Māori doctoral students doing kaupapa Māori research. The award pays a tax-free stipend for two years plus professional development support.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    NZ$36,050 a year tax-free stipend for two years, plus NZ$9,785 for professional development
  • Ministry of EducationNew ZealandUsually closes in July (2026: Jul 19)

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships

    Scholarships for ākonga Māori at university, wānanga or vocational study.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Undergraduate up to NZ$30,000; master's NZ$20,000; doctoral NZ$40,000; vocational NZ$10,000
  • New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)New ZealandNo closing dates listed; applications are processed monthly through the online portal with decisions in 4 to 9 weeks.

    Accepting applications

    NZCT Grants

    Gaming-machine trust grants for community organisations, with a strong focus on amateur sport but also education, community events and salaries. Applications are assessed by regional committees and decided in about four to nine weeks.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Education and youth programs

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Not stated
  • Pacific Education Foundation (Ministry of Education)New ZealandThe 2027 round has closed with outcomes by 18 March 2027; the next round has not been announced.

    Awaiting next round

    Pacific Education Foundation Scholarships

    Government-funded grants that help Pacific students into full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study in New Zealand. About a quarter of awards go to priority fields such as STEM, health, digital, trades and education.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    NZ$5,500 for full-time undergraduate study; NZ$10,500 for full-time postgraduate study
  • Foundation NorthNew ZealandOpen all year. For events, apply six months before the event.

    Accepting applications

    Quick Response Grants

    Grants of up to NZ$25,000 for charitable projects that benefit Auckland or Northland communities. Applications are open all year with decisions within about two months.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Up to NZ$25,000
  • Waikato-TainuiNew ZealandFebruary 5, 2027

    Accepting applications

    Ranea Te Toi Scholarship

    Waikato-Tainui offers eight scholarships for tribal members in the final year of a teaching qualification on a Māori-medium or Kaupapa Māori pathway. Recipients join a cohort with group wānanga.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    NZ$10,000 each (8 scholarships)
  • Rata FoundationNew ZealandApply any time. Decisions take about 10 weeks for Small Grants and about 4 months for Large Grants.

    Accepting applications

    Rata Foundation Small and Large Grants

    Community grants for not-for-profits in Canterbury, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Kaikoura and the Chatham Islands, covering operating and project costs. Small Grants are up to NZ$20,000 and Large Grants are above that.

    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Small Grants up to NZ$20,000; Large Grants over NZ$20,000; Building Projects over NZ$100,000
  • Māori Soldiers Trust (administered by Te Tumu Paeroa)New ZealandThe 2026 round has closed; the usual deadline is 1 May and applications reopen in early 2027.

    Awaiting next round

    Sir Āpirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship

    A yearly scholarship for Māori tertiary students at university, polytechnic or wānanga, including overseas institutions. It can go toward fees, books, computers or living costs.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Usually NZ$500 to NZ$3,000
  • StudyLinkNew ZealandApply any time; apply early for the start of the year

    Accepting applications

    Student Allowance

    Weekly payments for living costs while you study full time. Not a loan.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Up to about NZ$378-436 a week before tax for single students
  • Te MātāwaiNew ZealandYearly round; check Te Mātāwai's key dates

    Intake status unconfirmed

    Te Mātāwai Investment Round

    Funding for te reo Māori revitalisation led by homes, communities and iwi, through regional Kāhui investment plans.

    • Indigenous languages
    • Community, nonprofits and First Nations
    • Education and youth programs

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Varies (demand is high)
  • Ministry for Pacific PeoplesNew ZealandJanuary 22, 2027

    Deadline listed; check intake

    Toloa Secondary Scholarships

    Around 400 scholarships help Pacific secondary students who are taking STEM subjects with school costs. The money is paid to the school and can cover fees, uniforms, stationery and STEM trips or programmes.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    NZ$1,000 for one year, paid to the school
  • Ministry for Pacific PeoplesNew ZealandFebruary 2, 2027

    Deadline listed; check intake

    Toloa Tertiary Scholarships

    Ten scholarships support Pacific students continuing full-time STEM study at a New Zealand tertiary institution. The award is paid to the institution for one year of study.

    • Scholarships and bursaries

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Up to NZ$10,000 for one year of full-time study

Funders change their rules and dates. Always check the details on the funder's website before you apply.