Athletics New Zealand has a wide footprint — from school cross country and track and field to road running, race walking, and multi-events. Community clubs and schools need funding for facilities, equipment, competition travel, and development programmes. This guide covers the key funding sources for athletics organisations in New Zealand.
Athletics New Zealand (ANZ) is the national governing body and receives Sport NZ investment.
Key programmes:
- Junior athletics: Introductory and development programmes including Little Athletics
- Club development: Resources and support flowing through regional associations
- Women's athletics: Investment in women's participation and high performance pathways
- Para athletics: Inclusive participation for athletes with disability
- Coaching development: Coach accreditation programmes
Access: Most ANZ investment flows through regional athletic associations (e.g., Athletics Auckland, Athletics Canterbury). Contact your regional association for available funding and support.
Sport NZ funds Athletics New Zealand and community sport through regional sport trusts.
Community access:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund: Community-led physical activity — athletics clubs running accessible programmes can apply
- Regional sport trusts can connect clubs to local funding opportunities
Gaming trusts are among the most accessible funding sources for community athletics clubs.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
- Regional gaming trusts
What gaming trusts fund for athletics:
- Competition gear (spikes, uniforms, throws implements, hurdles, jump equipment)
- Transport to regional and national competitions
- Junior development programmes
- Coaching clinics
- Timing equipment and photo finish systems for clubs hosting events
- Track maintenance contributions
The Lottery Grants Board funds sport facilities and equipment.
For athletics:
- Track resurfacing contributions
- Equipment grants (field implements, hurdles, timing systems)
- Programme development
Athletics tracks in New Zealand face significant maintenance and development costs. Funding for track projects typically comes from:
- Local council: Primary funder for public tracks
- Lottery Grants Board: Facility development grants
- Sport NZ: Infrastructure investment
- Gaming trusts: Contributions to facility projects
Many clubs operate on council-owned tracks and need to work in partnership with their council on major capital projects.
Athletics extends well beyond the track. Road running clubs and events may access:
- Gaming trusts: For club operations and development programmes
- Lottery Grants Board: Programme development
- Sport NZ / Tū Manawa: For community participation initiatives
- Event sponsorship: From local businesses and community trusts for running events
Little Athletics New Zealand centres serve young athletes aged 5-16 with weekly multi-event programmes. Funding sources include:
- ANZ investment flowing through regional associations to centres
- Gaming trusts: Equipment and uniform grants
- Lottery Grants Board: Programme support
- Community trusts: Sport and recreation funding
Little Athletics programmes are highly appealing to funders given their broad youth and family participation.
Athletics in schools (cross country, track and field, sports days) can access:
- Ministry of Education: Sport facilities funding
- Sport NZ school sport programmes: Via regional sport trusts
- ANZ school delivery: Regional associations often provide coaching and competition in schools
- Gaming trusts: Equipment grants
Strong athletics grant applications demonstrate:
- Youth participation: Junior and Little Athletics programmes
- Community access: Athletics for all backgrounds, not just competitive athletes
- Women's and girls' participation: A consistent funder priority
- Māori and Pasifika inclusion: Reflecting New Zealand's athletics community
- Track and field specifics: Detailed evidence of how equipment or facilities will be used
- Participation numbers: Regular members, event participants, schools served
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage the multiple funding applications and reporting requirements that come with running community athletics clubs and events.