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.

What we fund
What you need to know
How decisions are made
Other funding sources

Wave Funded Stories

Te Puna Reo o Te Ahi Kaikōura a Tama ki te Rangi

Te Puna Reo o Te Ahi Kaikōura a Tama ki te Rangi is a new puna reo; a kaupapa Māori early learning centre that has recently opened there doors to all whānau in Kaikōura, situated on the grounds of Hāpuku school.
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Huikai Creations

An unexpected journey into the world of candles! Huikai Creations was born from the simple joy of Ngaire and her tamariki experimenting with a DIY kit. Now, their home garage has become the maker station as the pakihi grows.
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Four One Seven ORA

Four One Seven ORA provide a range Rongoā Māori services, carefully handmade with aroha to help improve wellbeing and heal ongoing mamae of the body and mind.
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Wave 17 kaupapa

Watch these previously funded kaupapa

Gina Malcolm’s journey into mātauranga Māori holistic rongoā has been life changing one. Now, through Māmā Gee (previously known as Hine Mahuta Hauora) the business she set up three years ago, she is encouraging whānau to intuitively seek out their pathway for healing towards becoming the best they can be.

Reni Wereta-Gargiulo (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Te Ātiawa), has been able to develop Kiwi Kai Nelson into a successful parent company that prepares and produces healthy, sustainable Māori-inspired kai and seafood. Inspired by her whānau upbringing, Reni says “As long as we’re holistically following our Māori principles, we’re happy with what we’re doing”

What began as a whānau fundraiser and part-time passion seven years ago, is now a fulltime business and Bridgette Keil (Ngāti Tamaterā), owner of Koukou Creations, is excited that Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu WAVE funding has helped make her dream a reality.

“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

Ruia

Ruia

This is a contestable fund which supports rangatahi wellbeing, intergenerational leadership, succession planning and cultural development

Koanga Kai

Koanga Kai

Kōanga Kai provides physical resources and coaching so that whānau can create gardens in their homes and communities

Te Kīwai

Te Kīwai

This fund has been designed to support tamariki and rangatahi wellbeing through play, active recreation and spor

Tama Ora

Tama Ora

Tama Ora can help you create an event, project or programme targeted at keeping tamariki and rangatahi active