Para sport — sport for people with disability — encompasses a vast range of adapted and inclusive sporting activities, from Paralympic disciplines to wheelchair sports, blind cricket, sitting volleyball, goalball, and bocce. New Zealand has a strong para sport tradition, with Paralympians among the country's most celebrated athletes. Community clubs, inclusive programmes, and individual athletes need funding to access sport and compete. This guide covers the key funding sources for para sport in New Zealand.
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is the national governing body for Paralympic sport.
Key investment areas:
- High performance para athletes: Investment in national team athletes and coaches preparing for Paralympic Games
- Para sport development: Growing community-level participation in Paralympic disciplines
- Disability sport activation: Funding through national sport organisations to develop para sport pathways
- Para sport club development: Support for clubs running adapted and inclusive sport programmes
Access: PNZ works through national sport organisations (NSOs) and affiliated clubs. Contact your sport's NSO (e.g., Athletics NZ for para athletics, Swimming NZ for para swimming) or PNZ directly for guidance.
Sport NZ funds Paralympics New Zealand and has specific disability sport investment.
Key mechanisms:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund: Community-led physical activity — inclusive sport and disability sport programmes can apply
- Sport NZ investment in NSOs: Includes para sport pathway requirements
- Disability-inclusive sport activation: Programmes that reduce barriers to sport for people with disability
The Halberg Foundation is a New Zealand charity dedicated to improving the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders through sport.
Key programmes:
- Halberg Athlete Fund: Grants to elite para athletes for training, equipment, and competition costs
- Halberg Disability Sport Foundation grants: Funding for disability sport organisations and clubs
- Junior athlete support: Supporting young para athletes in their development
The Halberg Foundation is one of the most important funders specifically for para sport in New Zealand. Para athletes and disability sport clubs should engage directly with the Halberg Foundation.
Gaming trusts fund disability-inclusive sport and para sport programmes.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
What gaming trusts fund for para sport:
- Adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, handcycles, visually impaired guides, tandem bikes)
- Para sport programmes at club level
- Travel and accommodation for para athletes competing nationally and internationally
- Junior para sport development
Several disability-focused funders support para sport as part of broader disability inclusion:
IHC Foundation: For sport and activity for people with intellectual disability. Includes Special Olympics NZ programmes.
Attitude Trust: Disability inclusion and participation, including sport.
CCS Disability Action: Disability support organisation that may fund inclusive sport programmes.
Enabling Good Lives: Ministry of Social Development framework for disability support funding — may include sport and recreation.
The Lottery Grants Board funds para sport and disability sport programmes.
For para sport:
- Adaptive equipment grants
- Programme development
- Facility accessibility improvements
Many mainstream sport clubs run disability-inclusive programmes. These can access:
- Sport NZ Tū Manawa: Community physical activity including inclusive sport
- Gaming trusts: Equipment and programme grants for inclusive activities
- Halberg Foundation: Funding for disability sport within mainstream clubs
- Local council grants: Sport and recreation grants for inclusive programmes
Adaptive sport equipment (sports wheelchairs, handcycles, prosthetics for sport, tandem bikes, seated throwing frames) is expensive. Funding sources:
- Halberg Foundation: Equipment grants for para athletes
- Gaming trusts: Equipment grants for sport organisations
- ACC: In some cases, ACC may fund adaptive equipment needed as a result of an accident
- Ministry of Health: Equipment funding for eligible disability support recipients
- Crowdfunding and community fundraising: Many para athletes supplement grant funding with community fundraising
Special Olympics New Zealand (SONZ) serves athletes with intellectual disability, with a programme of sport across multiple disciplines.
Funding for SONZ and affiliated clubs:
- IHC Foundation: Key funder for intellectual disability sport
- Gaming trusts: Club grants and equipment
- Lottery Grants Board: Programme development
- Community trusts: Disability and sport programmes
Strong para sport applications demonstrate:
- Genuine inclusion: Not just token inclusion — meaningful participation and genuine pathways
- Athlete numbers: How many para athletes are engaged or will be reached?
- Disability types: Different funders prioritise different disability categories
- Adaptive approach: Evidence that programme design is genuinely adapted for participants
- Safety and accessibility: Appropriate safety protocols, accessible facilities
- Development pathway: From introductory to competitive for motivated athletes
Tahua's grants management platform helps disability sport organisations manage complex funding portfolios — tracking multiple funding relationships, managing equipment grants, and demonstrating inclusive impact to funders.