Orienteering — the navigation sport using maps and compasses — combines physical fitness with mental challenge, making it accessible to all ages and fitness levels. New Zealand has an active orienteering community, with clubs, rogaines, and school programmes across the country. This guide covers the key funding sources for orienteering organisations in New Zealand.
Orienteering New Zealand (ONZ) is the national governing body for orienteering and rogaining.
Key areas:
- Club development and support
- Junior orienteering development
- National competition calendar
- Schools orienteering programmes
- Coaching development
Access: ONZ works through affiliated clubs. Contact ONZ for guidance on Sport NZ investment and available resources.
Sport NZ funds Orienteering New Zealand and community sport through regional sport trusts.
Community access:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund: Community-led physical activity — orienteering clubs and school programmes can apply
- Regional sport trusts may support orienteering through community sport development
Gaming trusts are the primary accessible funding source for most orienteering clubs.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
What gaming trusts fund for orienteering:
- Map production and printing (maps are a significant ongoing cost for orienteering)
- Compasses, e-punches (EMIT/SportIdent), and electronic timing equipment
- Junior development programmes
- Event equipment (controls, flags, punches)
- Competition entries and travel
- Club uniforms
The Lottery Grants Board funds sport equipment and programmes.
For orienteering:
- Equipment grants (timing systems, controls)
- Programme development
- Map development grants
Orienteering in schools is excellent for physical education — it combines teamwork, navigation, and fitness in an outdoor context.
School orienteering funding:
- Ministry of Education: PE and outdoor education equipment
- ONZ school programmes: Delivered through clubs with school education resources
- Gaming trusts: School programme equipment
- Regional sport trusts: School sport development programmes
School orienteering is often introduced through permanent orienteering courses on school grounds — requiring mapping and installation of permanent controls.
Rogaining (long-distance orienteering) is a distinct discipline that can access the same grant sources as orienteering. Multi-sport or adventure race events that include orienteering components may access broader event funding.
Orienteering's deep connection to outdoor environments opens potential connections to:
- DOC (Department of Conservation): For events and programmes in conservation areas
- Regional councils: Recreation and outdoor activity in regional parks
- Outdoor recreation funders: Grants for outdoor activity and environmental connection
Strong orienteering applications demonstrate:
- Youth participation: Junior and school orienteering is a strong funder priority
- Community access: Orienteering for all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds
- Health benefits: Physical activity in natural environments
- Cognitive development: Navigation skills and problem-solving (attractive for education funders)
- Environmental responsibility: Leave no trace, minimal impact in natural environments
- Equipment specifics: Detailed justification for maps, timing equipment, and controls
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage their grant applications and reporting requirements — so you can focus on getting people outdoors.