Social cohesion in New Zealand — the sense of belonging, trust, and connection that binds communities together — has a particular character shaped by Treaty of Waitangi commitments, New Zealand's cultural diversity, and the unique relationship between Māori and tauiwi (non-Māori). Building cohesive communities in Aotearoa means honouring the bicultural foundation, welcoming New Zealand's diverse immigrant communities, and addressing the disconnection and inequality that fractures community trust. Grant funding supports neighbourhood connection, intercultural dialogue, biculturalism programs, social inclusion, and the organisations that build the social fabric of Aotearoa.
New Zealand's cohesion context
Cohesion challenges in NZ
What cohesion looks like in Aotearoa
Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Te Puni Kōkiri
Māori community development and cohesion.
Ministry of Social Development
Community development and social inclusion.
Ministry of Justice
Community participation in justice and civics.
Local government
Council cohesion programs, community events, and neighbourhood initiatives.
J.R. McKenzie Trust
Social inclusion and community belonging.
The Tindall Foundation
Community development and social cohesion.
Todd Foundation
Community and social connection.
Community trusts
Regional community development including cohesion.
Lottery Grants Board
Community programs including social connection.
Wilson Home Trust
Community inclusion.
Neighbourhood connection
Intercultural dialogue
Biculturalism programs
Anti-racism
New migrant and refugee inclusion
Youth social cohesion
Research and monitoring
Social cohesion in Aotearoa cannot be built without honouring the Treaty of Waitangi and the Māori-Crown relationship:
- Cohesion programs that ignore biculturalism are building on an incomplete foundation
- Māori communities must be genuine partners in cohesion work, not afterthoughts
- The terms of social connection in Aotearoa are set, partly, by te Ao Māori values: manaakitanga (hospitality and care), kotahitanga (unity), and whanaungatanga (relationships)
- Tikanga-based approaches to community connection can enrich all communities, not just Māori
Grant applications for social cohesion in New Zealand that are grounded in the bicultural context — not just multicultural — are more appropriate and more likely to produce genuine, durable cohesion.
Treaty alignment
Applications for social cohesion in New Zealand must demonstrate genuine Treaty awareness and Māori partnership. Token biculturalism is not credible — authentic engagement with Te Ao Māori is required.
Contact, not just events
One-off multicultural festivals can feel celebratory but build limited cohesion. Applications for sustained contact — ongoing programs where different communities mix regularly — are more likely to build genuine relationships.
Addressing structural racism
Cohesion is undermined by racism and discrimination. Applications that address structural barriers to belonging — discrimination in housing, employment, and institutions — alongside community connection programs are more comprehensive.
Newcomer focus
New Zealand's immigration continues, and new arrivals face the challenge of belonging. Applications specifically building inclusion for new migrants and refugees address a significant and continuing need.
Tahua's grants management platform supports social cohesion funders in New Zealand — with community reach tracking, belonging outcome measurement, intercultural program data, and the reporting tools that help social cohesion funders demonstrate their investment in building connected, trusting communities across Aotearoa.