Community boards back events, culture and community projects

A range of community, cultural, sporting and tourism initiatives across Te Hiku, Kaikohe-Hokianga and Bay of Islands-Whangaroa are set to benefit from support approved by Far North community boards during their September meetings.

The funding will help local groups deliver events and activities including a Golden Oldies reunion at Te Hapua, the Hokianga Country Music Festival, a Christmas Shoebox Project and a series of kapa haka, music and cultural programmes. Support will also go towards community facilities and events celebrating significant local milestones.

In Te Hiku, funding will support the Te Hapua Sports and Recreation Club’s Golden Oldies Reunion, while the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project will help bring Christmas cheer to families.

In Kaikohe-Hokianga, support will contribute to the 2026 Hokianga Country Music Festival, Tupuhaere ki te rangi’s Tupu Ora initiative and the Kohukohu Cèilidh.

In the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa area, funding will support the Our Kerikeri Tourism Initiative, Te Kura o Waikare’s 150th anniversary, Carnaval Latino and a Toi Māori season at the Turner Centre, as well as the Forest Healing Festival and a ballet showcase by Turning Pointe Dance.

The projects reflect the wide range of activities being supported through community boards, from cultural and sporting events to tourism, arts and community celebrations.

Successful funding grants allocated at September meetings:

Te Hiku Community Board

• $5000 to Te Hapua Sports and Recreation Club for Golden Oldies Reunion - October 2026
• $2000 to Catalytic Foundation for Christmas Shoebox Project
• $2000 to Matariki Cultural Foundation for He Waiata Roa - Long Song Residency
• $1917 to Manukau Marae Trust for Manukau Marae Flagpole Replacement
• $1350 to Pawarenga Old Boys Association Inc for Pawarenga Old Boys Ladies Pool Tournament
• $1100 to Ngā Waka Kōtuitui for Ngā Waka Kōtuitui ki Te Ao – Kapa Haka and Puoro Wānanga

Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board

• $5000 to Hokianga Country Music Club for 2026 Hokianga Country Music Festival
• $2643 to Tupuhaere ki te rangi for Tupu Ora
• $650 to Mr Rhys Evans for Kohukohu Cèilidh

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board

• $10,000 to Our Kerikeri Community Charitable Trust for Kerikeri Tourism Initiative
• $9659 to Te Kura o Waikare for Te Kura o Waikare 150 years Anniversary
• $7000 to The Centre at Kerikeri Ltd (Turner Centre) for Carnaval Latino at Turner Centre 2026
• $6500 to The Centre at Kerikeri Ltd (Turner Centre) for Kaiārahi Curates: Toi Māori Season at Turner Centre
• $4642 to Earth Citizens Organisation Charitable Trust for Forest Healing Festival
• $2000 to Turning Pointe Dance for Echoes Through Time - A Showcase of Ballet

More information about the community boards can be found here.