About Wave

Our Wave funding is a social innovation model that gives whānau the agency to realise their own aspirations. We release one or two Wave rounds per year and welcome applications from individuals, whānau, community groups and businesses who want to run an initiative or programme that will support them and their hapori.

Wave funding supports with projects that seek to help whānau and hapori to thrive, and particularly to overcome the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. We are especially interested in projects that are designed and driven by the whānau and communities they seek to support. All projects must support our Whānau Ora outcomes, as outlined in the seven pou that guide us. Click here to learn more about the seven pou.

Wave 17

Applications for the latest funding round, Wave 17, closed at 12pm, Friday, February 24, 2023. If you have any pātai about Wave 17, please get in touch by emailing info@teputahitanga.org or calling 0800 187 689.

Te Pāpori o Whakatere

In colloboration with Tūmaia we deliver Te Pāpori o Whakatere, a development programme for successful Wave funded applicants. The programme aims to grow the Wave kaupapa into thriving initiatives that create sustainable change for whānau and communities. Te Pāpori o Whakatere is run as a series of wānanga where experts provide free legal, human resources, financial and marketing advice. Entrepreneurs also attend these wānanga to share their experiences and insights.

Wave Funded Stories

Manaakitanga Funeral Services

Betsy Williams designed Manaakitanga Funerals to provide tikanga and values based, affordable funeral services to whānau across the Waitaha region.
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Tamāhine Boutique

Created as a primarily online and market outlet, Tamāhine Boutique is a way for Autumn Hemi-Dehar to to reconnect with her own cultural roots and show her daughter how important it is to be proud of her Māori heritage.
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Te Waka Taiohi o Tahu

As the rangatahi arm of Te Waka Pounamu Outrigger Canoe Club, Te Waka Taiohi o Tahu gives rangatahi the opportunity to connect with their culture through sport.  
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Wave 10 kaupapa

Watch these previously funded kaupapa

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is so proud to support these transformative workshops that empower girls and young women to make their way through the world with strength and confidence

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is so proud to support Taurite Tū to deliver a kaupapa Māori exercise and wellbeing programme for kaumātua in Ōtepoti.

Meet the faces behind Pōtiki Poi, a kaupapa that grew from a fundraising initiative on Facebook, into the successful business that it is today.

“With Te Pūtahitanga, you develop long term relationships with like-minded individuals who understand Māori. They help you reach your goals. They encourage and support you to reflect, to grow, to progress.

Jaince Lee - Koha Kai

Enquire about our Wave Fund

He pātai āu? Have you got a question, give us a call, or send us your pātai