Community boards back Matariki celebrations across the Far North

All three Far North community boards have committed to supporting Matariki celebrations and other community initiatives across the district as part of their June funding decisions.

Funding approved by Te Hiku, Kaikohe-Hokianga, and Bay of Islands-Whangaroa community boards includes support for cultural festivals, marae events, youth programmes, accessibility projects and community facility upgrades. Matariki-related events featured strongly in this round of grants, with funding supporting celebrations from Ahipara and Te Rāwhiti to Whangaroa and Lake Ōmāpere. Matariki celebrations continue to grow across the Far North, with events bringing together whānau and communities to reflect, remember and celebrate the Māori New Year.

Te Hiku Community Board approved funding for several Matariki events and community projects, including $3800 to Roma Marae for costs towards Matariki and kapa haka 2026, $3540 to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tūtūtarakihi for costs towards Puanga Matariki ki Te Ahu and $2769 to Ahipara Aroha Inc for costs towards Matariki ki Ahipara 2026.

The board also approved $59,000 towards a GEN 2 Sentimag unit for Kaitāia Hospital, an advanced surgical technology used during cancer operations to accurately identify sentinel lymph nodes. This system enables surgeons at Kaitāia Hospital to perform modern, minimally invasive cancer procedures locally, particularly for breast cancer patients, without requiring referral to larger hospitals. The funding application was made by the manager of Kaitāia Hospital. The board also approved grants for sports facility improvements, youth sport, and regional screen development. This project will support Te Hiku communities to participate in a creative screen‑based arts initiative that celebrates local stories, landscapes, and cultural identity.”

Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board also supported a range of cultural and community initiatives, including $5000 to Lake Ōmāpere Trust for costs towards Matariki 2026 and $4000 to Hokianga Community Educational Trust for costs towards “Ngā Whakaata o Matariki”, Reflections of Matariki. Other approved funding included support for disability programmes, financial skills training, community development, and major repairs to the Waitapu Community Centre building.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board approved funding for multiple arts, cultural and infrastructure projects, including $12,500 for the Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival of Culture, $6000 for the Te Rāwhiti Puanga Matariki Celebration 2026, and $4645 for Puanga ki Whangaroa 2026. Funding was also approved for accessibility improvements on the Kerikeri River Walkway, community wharf erosion protection, arts performances, and community facilities.

Community board funding supports local projects that contribute to community wellbeing, cultural identity and social connection.

All funding decisions can be found here.