Dance in New Zealand encompasses classical ballet, contemporary dance, hip hop, kapa haka, Pasifika dance, ballroom and social dance, and dance for health and wellbeing. Community dance organisations, studios, schools, and individuals can access a range of grant funding. This guide covers the key sources.
Creative New Zealand (CNZ) is the primary arts funder in New Zealand and supports dance as a major art form.
Key funding for dance:
- Arts projects: One-off project funding for dance performances, productions, and residencies
- Tōtara: Māori and Pasifika arts investment, including kapa haka and Pacific dance
- Quick Response grants: Smaller grants with shorter application timelines
- Arts programmes: Sustained organisational funding for established dance companies
Access: Applications through Creative NZ's online system. Dance organisations and individual dance artists are eligible.
Dance as physical activity — particularly for fitness, youth development, and wellbeing — can access sport and recreation funding:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund: Community-led physical activity — dance programmes (especially for youth, older adults, or inactive populations) can apply
- Regional sport trusts: Community physical activity activation
Dance programmes that clearly focus on physical health and participation (rather than artistic performance) are better positioned for sport funding.
Gaming trusts are an accessible funding source for community dance organisations.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
What gaming trusts fund for dance:
- Dance costumes and uniforms
- Equipment (sound systems, flooring, mirrors)
- Youth dance development programmes
- Competition entry fees and travel
- Venue costs for community dance groups
The Lottery Grants Board funds arts and community activities.
For dance:
- Equipment and facility grants
- Youth dance programme development
- Community dance festivals and events
Kapa haka — Māori performing arts including dance — has specific funding streams:
Creative NZ Tōtara: Primary funder for kaupapa Māori arts including kapa haka.
Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry for Māori Development): Investment in Māori culture and language, including kapa haka.
Māori Trust Boards and Iwi: Some iwi and hapū have grant programmes for cultural arts.
Te Matatini: The national kapa haka festival has scholarship and development funding pathways.
Pacific dance — Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island, Fijian, and other traditions — is supported through:
Creative NZ Tōtara: Pasifika arts investment.
Ministry for Pacific Peoples: Cultural development and arts grants.
Pasifika community organisations: Some Pacific community organisations fund cultural arts.
Polyfest and Pacific performance events: Performance and development pathways through Polynesian cultural festivals.
Dance as a health intervention — for older adults, people with Parkinson's disease, mental health, or disability — can access health and wellbeing funding:
Community trusts: Active ageing and social inclusion programmes.
Health foundations: Health promotion grants for movement-based programmes.
Aged care providers: Funding for activities for older adults.
Disability funders: Inclusive dance programmes for people with disability.
Dance for Health (New Zealand) and other dance therapy providers have demonstrated strong evidence for health outcomes, which supports grant applications.
Youth dance programmes are among the most fundable in New Zealand:
Ministry of Education: Arts in schools funding (via Creative NZ school partnerships).
Gaming trusts: Youth dance development grants.
Creative NZ Youth Arts: Investment in creative arts for young New Zealanders.
School fundraising and PTA: Community support for school dance programmes.
Ballroom, Latin, swing, and social dance clubs may access:
- Gaming trusts: Club equipment and programme grants
- Sport NZ: If affiliated with DanceSport NZ (a recognised sport body)
- Community trusts: Social connection and active ageing programmes
Strong dance grant applications demonstrate:
- Community reach: Who benefits and how many people are engaged?
- Youth participation: Young people in dance is highly valued
- Cultural identity: Kapa haka and Pacific dance have strong cultural development framing
- Health and wellbeing outcomes: Physical, social, and psychological benefits of dancing
- Accessibility: Dance accessible to all — regardless of ability, income, or background
- Professional development: Investment in dance teachers, choreographers, and artists
Tahua's grants management platform helps arts and community organisations manage their grant applications, track reporting requirements, and demonstrate community impact to funders.