Community fund dishes out $745k for 14 Southland projects
The Community Development Fund is administered jointly by Rio Tinto, NZAS and Murihiku Rūnaka and has allocated $2 million in funding since being launched in 2023.
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New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Limited (NZAS), Rio Tinto and Ngāi Tahu have financially backed 14 community, environment and business projects in Southland as part of its latest round of $745,000 in funding.
The Community Development Fund is administered jointly by Rio Tinto, NZAS and Murihiku Rūnaka.
It meets a commitment made when Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS and Rio Tinto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2022.
The MOU outlined a partnership between mana whenua and the smelter, based on three key pillars - remediation, energy development and community investment.
This funding provides support for a further 14 community projects in 2024 and represents the remaining balance of the original $2 million Murihiku Rūnaka and NZAS/Rio Tinto Community Development Fund launched in 2023.
Funding in this second round includes support for a broad range of projects. From arts and culture initiatives such as South Sea Spray Wāhine – a one-of-a-kind street art festival showcasing female artists throughout Southland – to community infrastructure such as funding Kiwi Harvest’s new delivery truck, and the refurbishment of Southland Help’s support centre.
Community and youth education and support services also shine through in this round of funding, with projects such as financial mentoring provided by Jubilee Budget Advisory and Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can and Career Navigator.
Environmental projects are also well represented, including Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET) which receives a $98,000 grant for a critical trap upgrade to support the journey towards Bluff Hill Motupōhue becoming Predator-Free.
Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust trustee and project leader David Swann, BHMET Trustee and Project Leader said: “Predator numbers are at record lows and the ngahere is once again supporting abundant manu. For mana whenua, this is a cause for celebration; when the whenua heals, this supports the healing of our whānau.
“The Community Development Fund will support the Trust to accelerate our efforts towards Predator-Free status and bring the number of pests at Motupōhue down to zero,” he said.
Round two recipients:
NZAS chief executive Chris Blenkiron said: “Our commitment to Southland remains as strong as ever, and is reflected in the impressive range of initiatives we have chosen to fund, alongside our partners Ngāi Tahu and Murihiku Rūnaka.
“From sustainability and innovation to mental health and community resilience, all these projects reflect priorities in our business as well and will all add significantly to Southland’s future. Collectively, these projects will make Southland an even better place to live, which is important to the team at Tiwai, who all call this place home. We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Southland community, as we have been over the past 53 years,” he said.
Te Rūnaka o Awarua representative Jacqui Caine said: “Once again, we were impressed by the applications and proud to support a diverse range of projects in round two that will have long-term, positive benefits for mana whenua and the wider Murihiku community.”
The Community Development Fund will continue to be available in 2025, with a further $500,000 commitment made. The 2025 Fund will be open in early 2025 for applications.
THE PROJECTS
Preparing for a Predator Free Motupōhue – Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust
The Trust is dedicated to the restoration and protection of the natural environment on and around Motupōhue, Bluff. It does this through pest control, weed control, habitat restoration planting, species translocation and raising public awareness.
Through the latest tools and techniques, including the latest AI-based trapping tools, the Trust has radically reduced the population of possums and predators from around 16,000 to just 50.
It’s now possible for the Trust to bring this number down to zero and achieve a predator free status at Motupōhue. Surety of funding through the Community Development Fund will support the Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust to accelerate its efforts, using smart data and analysis.
In doing so, the Trust expects to see a restored and well-functioning ecosystem for the long-term.
Positive Youth Development Programmes: Kiwi Can & Career Navigator – Graeme Dingle Foundation, Southern Region
Graeme Dingle Foundation’s programmes have been found to have a $10.50 return for every dollar invested. Two of its flagship programmes, Kiwi Can and Career Navigator will benefit from the Community Development Fund.
Career Navigator is a school-based ready-for-work programme that supports schools to help rangatahi understand the importance of their schoolwork to their future self, have confidence in their career choices, and develop work readiness skills and positive attitudes towards work and job seeking.
The funding will support more than 40 senior akonga from Southland Boys’ High to access the full Career Navigator programme with other senior students able to access a variety of work-readiness workshops.
Funding will also go toward delivering a whole-school Kiwi Can programme at Bluff and St Patrick's schools that teaches primary school tamariki important life skills and values in fun interactive lessons.
Hawthorndale Gardens: Hawthorndale Care Village Community Gardens project
Part of Invercargill’s newly built Hawthorndale Care Village, the Village Community Gardens project is focused on converting underutilised land into a thriving centre for the wider community.
This project is part of the Care Village’s commitment to community well-being and environmental stewardship and will create an open space for all local community to learn and enjoy the benefits of locally grown produce.
Funding for this transformative initiative will be used to deliver a volunteer education programme available to family, whānau, and the wider community, as well as for garden site preparation, supplies and essential gardening equipment. It’s all about bringing people together and getting closer to our produce.
Insert Coin To Play Charitable Trust: GG Murihiku programme
The mission of the GG Murihiku programme is to forge genuine lasting relationships and improve the mental health crisis across Southland by bringing young people together and building communities around large, multiplayer video gaming events for youth. Through gaming events, young people learn new social and computer skills, grow connections with other people interested in gaming, and develop a better sense of self.
These outcomes lead to increased self-confidence and better social connections. Funding will support programmes that will reach up to 2,000 rangatahi and tamariki between the ages of 8-15, as well as employment opportunities for up to 10 rangatahi.
Tūturu Charitable Trust: Matariki @ ILT Stadium 2024
One of the Trust’s key events annually focuses on Matariki. It is one of several events which have seen record audiences of 85,000 people engaged in the promotion of Māori culture and the transmission and sharing of mātauranga right in the heart of Murihiku. Matariki@ILT Stadium 2024 is the biggest local Matariki event, which for first time is 100% interactive.
This included an enhanced programme of onsite workshops for all ages including learn to paint kowhaiwhai, learning mau rakau moves, poi, or sitting in meditation.
Southland Mountain Bike Club: Bluff Hill/ Motupōhue Pump Track & Social Hub
The Southland Mountain Bike Club’s current mountain bike trails are suited for advanced mountain bikers.
The Pump Track Project aims to change this by contributing to the development of a more inclusive facility and trail network that caters to all ages and riding abilities.
The project will create a recreational facility and social hub that will allow and encourage the Murihiku and Bluff communities to be active, healthy and connected with each other and the natural environment.
Enhancement of wellbeing through natural and cultural connections, as well as promoting activeness and fun, are at its heart. The project will also provide improved walking connections to the rest of the Hill and a safe and sheltered place for people to gather.
Jubilee Budget Advisory Service: Financial Mentoring in Murihiku
Jubilee Budget Advisory Service's vision is to give hope and practical help to set whānau free from the burden of debt and financial hardship and to increase financial literacy.
The free, confidential and non-judgmental service provides budgeting advice and education for anyone including those with physical disabilities, severe mental health issues or major addictions. It’s trained Financial Mentors build trust by taking time to understand the person's story, circumstances, financial literacy and alleviate any crisis situations.
Mentors help by creating financial plans, focusing on long-term growth, providing support by wrapping around whanau and other agencies and empowering our clients to make decisions, set goals and build longer term capability. Funding will be used to employ two part-time Financial Mentors for one year to continue this important mahi.
Te Oho Mana Charitable Trust: Tu Manawa Roa
A newly established charitable trust, Te Oho Mana’s grant will focus on supporting rangatahi in Murihiku who are more likely to be deemed at-risk. Many rangatahi and their whānau are disconnected from Te Ao Māori and can feel lost in the layers of complexity related to generations of trauma, created from this disconnect.
This kaupapa builds strong connections, creates referral pathways for support and builds strength within the whānau, enabling them to thrive and stand strong in Murihiku.
Funding will enable intensive wānanga delivery for up to eight participants who will leave its multi-day programmes with a greater connection to who they are, including knowing their whakapapa, seeing the value in becoming a good ancestor, improved skills to engage with their peers, whānau and community, and recognising their value, purpose and potential.
Rape and Abuse Support Centre Southland (Southland Help): Rebuild Project
Southland Help is on a mission to empower survivors of sexual violence with the support they need to heal and thrive.
With a unique kaupapa Māori approach, they provide a safe, confidential space where survivors and their whānau can access counselling, therapy, advocacy, education, specialised medical care and more — all from one trusted source and location within our community.
Southland Help is now creating a purpose-built Sexual Harm Facility, an all in one Holistic Hub where survivors can find the support and resources they need, all in one place.
This new facility will set the standard for accessible, comprehensive care in Waihopai and the wider Southland region, ensuring that every survivor has the opportunity to heal in a beautiful space designed just for them.
Kiwi Harvest: new truck for food rescue and delivery
KiwiHarvest Invercargill collaborates with donor organisations rescuing over 227,000kgs of edible nutritious food from over 34 supermarkets, cafes, food manufacturers and producers annually in Southland; food that would have otherwise been destined for landfill and redirects it through a network of 39 collaborating community organisations.
The Community Development Fund has enabled the purchase of a replacement refrigerated truck to enable the collection and distribution of rescued food, supplying 9,700 meals to over 1,600 people each week who need food support in Southland.
South Sea Spray Trust: South Sea Spray – Wāhine festival
South Sea Spray Wāhine is week-long interactive art experience and showcase that will put Invercargill on the map.
It is a nations first all-female street art festival that pays homage to some of New Zealand’s best street artists - who just happen to be wāhine.
Each Artist will be painting a large mural in Invercargill and working alongside local female youth, and aspiring artists.
The festival includes a week of mentoring, workshops artists talks, culminating in stunning murals from Riverton, Winton, Bluff, Gore and Invercargill.
The old Bank Gallery on the Crescent will be hosting the South Sea Spray: Wāhine exhibition, where each of the artists will be exhibiting their original artworks in an installation for the public. Open November 26th - December 1st.
South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust: Solar Panel Installation
South Alive is a community-led development organisation, that has been operating for 12 years.
In addition to wide ranging initiatives run by its many volunteers, it provides essential spaces for the local community to connect with others through its community rooms: 'The Pod', and wholefood store and cafe, 'The Pantry'. These spaces are important safe, welcoming, accessible, and affordable places for our community to gather, reducing isolation and supporting our community to thrive.
The Community Development Fund has enabled South Alive to install solar panels on its community facility, to reduce its carbon footprint, reduce ongoing operational costs and support its long-term vision.
Waiau Mahika Kai Trust: Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration Project
The Waiau Mahika Kai Trust Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration Project has ambitions to restore the connection between mana whenua, Ngāi Tahu, to its culturally significant mountain (Takitimu maunga), river (Waiau Awa) and traditional food-gathering places (mahinga kai).
The project’s aim is to remove pests and invasive weeds, to restore waterways and reserves with the replanting native flora.
The restoration of the local ecology will restore the mana and mauri of Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu. The Community Development Fund will contribute to the revitalization of this significant resource to the people of Ngāi Tahu, allowing for kai to be harvested in places their tīpuna once did, a place rich in history and pūrākau.
Lord Family Trust: Millars Beach Restoration project
The Lord Family Trust is undertaking efforts to restore native fauna and flora of the Millars Beach area in Paterson Inlet on Rakiura / Stewart Island.
This 101-hectare Project encompasses the entirety of Price’s Peninsula, including the historic Whalers Base reserve, which many New Zealanders and tourists visit courtesy of a public access track along the peninsula.
The Community Development Fund will help the custodians of the land to purchase new AT220 Technology, which will scale up the automation of the monitoring, identification, and trapping of pests on Price’s Peninsula. Reviving many of the native bird populations including the protection and building up of the current resident Kiwi population, supports the goal of making Rakiura predator free.