Foundation North

28/05/2026

For over 25 years, Kaipātiki Project has been growing a sustainable future for te taiao and tangata through its community-led environmental mahi grounded in care, connection and collective action.

Based in north Tāmaki Makaurau, the EcoHub maintains a thriving native plant nursery, delivers a wide range of environmental programmes and initiatives designed to conserve, restore and renew the environment, and uses practical education to strengthen the community’s knowledge and sustainable living practices.

At the heart of the organisation’s mahi is a commitment to nurturing relationships, developing shared responsibility for local environments, and driving systemic change towards sustainability. Their approach embraces Te Ao Māori and mātauranga iwi and hapū, supporting communities facing the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation so te Taiao and te tangata can thrive together.

In 2024, Foundation North approved a grant in support of Kaipātiki Project’s regenerative environment mahi across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Recent highlights from the organisation include the delivery of 355 eco-events through EcoFest, hosting 23 food and soil resilience workshops with around 199 participants, contributing to the Ministry for the Environment’s Investigation into Citizen Science document, and featuring in episode one, Whenua, of the Heal the Hauraki docuseries.

Through their mahi, Kaipātiki Project continues to demonstrate how collective action drives change, interconnectedness is foundational, youth engagement is vital, adaptability builds strength, and inclusive behaviours are inherently mana-enhancing.

28/05/2026

Ngā mihi to all the organisations who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) in our Community Building Projects fund. Our team looks forward to going through them!

A heads up!!! if you have drafted an EOI for this fund in our Funding Hub but not submitted it yet, you have until Friday 5 June 2026 to do so.
https://www.foundationnorth.org.nz/funding/fund/community-building-projects

21/05/2026

“It’s definitely given myself a new sense of identity. I’ve come into my own skin and I’ve come with a new voice.” – Taimahi Trust Trainee

Taimahi Trust walks alongside young adults with intellectual and learning disabilities, growing life skills, agency and self-determination through free vocational training and development while creating positive change in the wider community.

In our recent story, we explore Taimahi Trust’s mahi, how their micro enterprise model is enabling greater self-determination for their trainees, and the unique way they give back to the community and taiao.

Images: Taimahi Trust

Click the link below to read the full story
https://www.foundationnorth.org.nz/stories/article/taimahi-trust-systems-change-through-micro-enterprises

20/05/2026

It’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day – a time to think deeply about and have important conversations around digital access and inclusion for all people.

This year’s theme ‘Design, Develop, Deliver’ reminds us that accessibility needs to be built into everything we create, rather than added on as an afterthought.

Learn more about how we can all support greater digital accessibility by clicking the link below

Thursday, May 15, 2025, help us celebrate the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

19/05/2026

“We believe every young person is created with intrinsic value, has a place to belong, and the right to experience purpose and success.” – Outwest Youth Community Trust

Outwest Youth Community Trust (OWY) is a charitable trust based in Helensville that is dedicated to supporting and developing local rangatahi through a range of programmes and initiatives delivered by their team of passionate youth workers.
In 2025, Foundation North approved a grant supporting the Trust’s mahi to increase equity and community resilience through targeted support of local rangatahi.

Through mentoring, alternative education, group workshops, driver licensing support, community networking, and events, Outwest Youth works to strengthen the mana of young people while fostering wellbeing, belonging, positive whānau relationships, and strong community connections.

Across the motu, rangatahi face increasingly complex challenges, creating growing demand for youth services that provide holistic support. Outwest Youth’s team of youth workers and instructors are committed to addressing the social and structural inequities faced by local rangatahi to support them in living positive and meaningful lives.

“We practice presence-based youth work – meaning we live and work locally, understanding the local context.” – OWY

Their presence-based approach enables authentic relationships and direct responses to emerging community needs.

The impact of this kaupapa’s mahi continues to grow, with 131 young people achieving their restricted licence in 2025, mentoring referrals increasing by 80% in the past year, and former clients returning as youth workers to support the next generation of rangatahi.

18/05/2026

Build your own funding info pack – take what you need and leave the rest!

Delivered directly to your inbox, receive helpful funding guides, templates, and resources on topics such as:

- Financials & budgets
- Funding applications
- Foundation North focus areas & strategy
- Capacity & capability building resources from the Centre for Social Impact

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_0wuYldjNk-vyMBdvQ9YVk0J6Eb4_ZZFilX-GbZgvuhUNlA2VlFMMEhIOTlMVUk4S0UwMlVaVzNZWS4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

14/05/2026

Don’t forget to register your spot at our upcoming South Auckland AWHI Funding Sessions!

Our Funding Support Advisor – Pacific, Mama J (Annie Johnson) is looking forward to connecting with Pacific groups in South Auckland at her AWHI sessions coming up on Thursday 21 May from 10am – 2pm at Turuki Health Care in Manukau.

These sessions are designed to support Pacific community organisations on their funding journey. Whether you’re new to applying for grants or have some experience, our aim is to answer your questions, offer guidance and help you navigate our funding process.

Please note: this event is now fully booked. Keep an eye on our Funding Events webpage for upcoming sessions near you.

13/05/2026

If you are a community organisation with well-advanced plans for a community building or major renovation of an existing building, there is still time to submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI) for our Community Building Projects 2026 funding.
This funding is for requests over $100,000 and we ask for a range of documents to support your EOI - the EOI phase closes on 5 June 2026.
Everything you need to know is in our application guides
https://www.foundationnorth.org.nz/funding/fund/community-building-projects

12/05/2026

There are still spots left for our upcoming AWHI funding information sessions on 20 May.
Book a 25 minute chat using the link below - our friendly Funding Support team can awhi you wherever you are on your funding journey.
https://www.foundationnorth.org.nz/funding/funding-events/event/awhi-funding-sessions

10/05/2026

Interested in how coastlines in Whangārei Heads and Doubtless Bay are changing, and what can be done to restore them and help them thrive naturally?

Coastal communities are invited to join the conversation at two free public events to be held this month, jointly organised by Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council and Far North District Council.

‘Coastal Conversations’ promise a mixture of formal presentations and a chance to mingle, chat, check out displays, and learn about some of the mahi being championed by local communities to restore the coastal environment.

Events are from 5pm to 7:30pm at McLeod Bay Hall in Whangārei Heads on Wednesday 27 May and Taipa Beach Resort on Thursday 28 May.

The events are free, but registration is encouraged.

Register for the McLeod Bay event https://www.nrc.govt.nz/our-northland/story/?id=85086

Register for the Taipa event https://www.nrc.govt.nz/our-northland/story/?id=85087