Pasifika organisations — community groups, sports clubs, churches, health providers, and social services serving Pacific peoples in New Zealand — have access to a rich landscape of grant funding. But navigating that landscape, and framing applications in ways that resonate with funders, requires specific knowledge. This guide covers the key funders and how to approach them effectively.
Pacific community funding in New Zealand comes from multiple sources:
- Pacific-specific funders: Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Pacific Health initiatives
- Mainstream funders with Pacific equity priorities: Sport NZ, Health NZ, community trusts
- Religious and church funders: Many Pacific communities have church-based funding
- Gaming trusts: Community sport and recreation funding
- Community trusts: Regional trusts with Pacific priorities
Te Minitatanga mō ngā Pasifika (Ministry for Pacific Peoples) is the primary Pacific-specific government funder:
- Community and cultural development grants
- Pacific languages and culture programmes
- Economic development and workforce initiatives
- Pacific youth and education
MPP funding is specifically for Pacific communities and is the primary government source for Pacific community programmes.
Sport NZ has explicit Pacific equity goals:
- Pacific communities are identified as underserved in sport participation
- RSTs in areas with significant Pacific populations have Pacific investment programmes
- Pacific-led sport programmes are a priority
Pacific sports and physical activity (rugby league, rugby union, netball, volleyball, waka ama) all benefit from Sport NZ Pacific equity investment.
Pacific health funding from Health NZ:
- Pacific-specific health services
- Pacific health providers
- Pasifika whānau-centred health models
- Pacific Health Promotion initiatives
Several community trusts have explicit Pacific community investment:
- Lion Foundation: Pacific community sport and recreation
- Four Winds Foundation: Open to Pacific community organisations
- Pub Charity: Pacific club sport
- Regional community trusts: Many trusts in high-Pacific regions (Auckland, Manawatū, Wellington) have Pacific priorities
Grant applications for Pacific community projects should:
Lead with Pacific values:
- Fa'aaloalo (respect): Demonstrate respect for elders, community leaders, and cultural protocols
- Alofa/Aloha (love and care): Describe the care and commitment to the community
- Kōrero (conversation): Show that the project came from community dialogue, not top-down
- Collectivism: Pacific programmes serve whānau and aiga (family), not just individuals
Describe community ownership:
- Pacific projects are strongest when led by Pacific people
- Who is leading the project? What Pacific voices shaped the design?
- How does the project reflect Pacific community needs and aspirations?
Quantify Pacific reach:
- How many Pacific people will participate? Of which Pacific nations?
- How does this compare to the Pacific population in your area?
- Are participants Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Cook Islander, Tokelauan — funders value specificity
Show cultural competence:
- Are Pacific staff or volunteers delivering the programme?
- Are cultural protocols observed?
- Is te reo Samoa, Tongan, or other Pacific languages used?
Pacific churches play a central role in Pacific community life:
- Church-based programmes: Many Pacific programmes operate through churches
- Church funding: Some churches access grants for community programmes
- Church endorsement: Having church community support strengthens applications
Pacific health funders value:
- Holistic wellbeing (not just physical health)
- Whānau and family-centred models
- Cultural healing and identity connection
- Trust relationships built within Pacific communities
Pacific communities have disproportionately high rates of chronic disease alongside high sports participation:
- Rugby league, rugby union, netball: Core Pacific sports
- Volleyball and beach volleyball: Pacific community sports
- Waka ama: Growing Pacific connection
- Dance and movement: Pacific performing arts as physical activity
Strong Pacific community grant applications show:
- Pacific leadership: Who is leading and designing the programme?
- Community consultation: How the programme emerged from Pacific community voices
- Cultural approach: Pacific values embedded in the programme model
- Participant numbers: Specific Pacific nations represented, not just "Pacific community"
- Language: Use of Pacific languages in delivery if applicable
- Church connection: Connection to Pacific churches if relevant
- Pacific outcomes: What will be different for Pacific people as a result?
Common mistakes in Pacific grant applications:
- Tokenism: Mentioning Pacific participation without Pacific leadership
- Homogenising Pacific communities: Pacific peoples are diverse — Samoan ≠ Tongan ≠ Fijian
- Deficit framing: Focusing on what Pacific communities lack rather than their strengths
- Outside-in design: Programmes designed without Pacific community input
Pacific community funders value long-term relationships:
- Attend funder information sessions and hui
- Seek feedback on unsuccessful applications
- Report outcomes thoroughly — build trust
- Be transparent about challenges
Tahua's grants management platform helps Pasifika community organisations manage grant applications across Pacific-specific funders, health funders, and mainstream community funders — tracking the participation and cultural outcomes that Pacific funders value.