Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund supports 15 more regional initiatives

The final round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund has been allocated, with 15 Northland-based projects receiving a combined $230,000 in support. The second round attracted 42 applications seeking over $700,000, highlighting strong demand for early-stage investment in community-led development. A third of the funded projects from the second round are Māori-led.

“The quality and ambition of projects coming through this fund has been very high,” says Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc. “From community wellbeing, promotion of our districts, and Mātauranga Māori, it’s clear that Northlanders are ready to lead the change they want to see.”

The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. It was created to back community and kaupapa-driven projects that contribute to long-term regional resilience.

Across two rounds, the fund has now distributed $430,000 to 32 projects throughout the region. Projects funded through the two rounds of allocations are already underway, with initiatives such as Girls Who Grow launching its climate-positive agriculture programme for young women into Taitokerau Northland, and the Kerikeri District Business Association and Bay of Islands Business Association rolling out a groundbreaking project focused on CCTV and community safety in the Mid and Far North.

NorthChamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow, who was part of the fund’s decision-making panel, says the calibre of applications highlighted the region’s determination and desire to make a difference. “This fund gives communities the chance to lift up great ideas and turn them into action. The panel was keen to support those ideas that will make a tangible and far reaching impact. It’s positive to see the difference this funding is already making on the ground in Te Tai Tokerau.”

Transpower’s Executive General Manager Customer and External Affairs Raewyn Moss supported this view. “We are so pleased to see this funding empowering real opportunities for development, community-building and increased resilience across Taitokerau Northland. We look forward to the stories of the impact the funding has and the achievements from the initiatives that were successful in this funding round.

About the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund

The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is a targeted investment programme supporting regional business and community development initiatives that deliver clear benefits for Northland.

Projects could apply for between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding.

The fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with funding provided by Transpower and its Northland contractor Omexom, as part of a commitment to invest in the region following the transmission tower failure in 2023.

Funding decisions were made by a panel with representatives from Northland Inc, NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau Māori Business Network, and Transpower.

Projects were assessed on their alignment with the fund’s goals, including regional impact, resilience, innovation, and readiness for delivery.