Eastern & Central Community Trust

30/09/2026

Shout out to our Hawke's Bay Community groups working in the Te Taiao | environmental space. The Biodiversity Fund is now open - get your applications in fast. 💚

Applications for the Biodiversity Hawke's Bay Environmental Enhancement Contestable Fund opens Monday 5 October! 🌿🙌

Supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT) this funding opportunity is designed to support projects that make a real impact on our environment.

Bring your biodiversity project to life and apply for funding at biodiversityhb.org
Applications close on 2 November 2026.

Read more: https://www.biodiversityhb.org/news-and-events/latest-news/article/184/funding-opens-for-local-biodiversity-projects

Image credit: Kirsten Simcox

30/09/2026

📢 Reminder: Lottery Fund Round 2 closes tomorrow at 11.59pm (29 September).

Before you submit, make sure you've selected the right application type using our updated guidance and flowchart. A link to the flowchart is in the comments.

Round 3 will be open for applications from 6 January – 2 February 2027.

Questions? Get in touch with our Community Advisors: 📞 0800 824 824 📧 [email protected]

24/09/2026

Newsletter - September 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/ecct/newsletter-september_2026

22/09/2026

📌 Board Role Opportunity 📌

THINK Haurora is seeking a Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Chair who will also join the board as a Trustee. This is an opportunity to bring your financial expertise to a primary health organisation delivering care across Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Manawatū, Ōtaki and Tararua, in genuine partnership with iwi.

What you will bring to this role:
🔵 Ideally a chartered accountant, with the ability to interpret financial information effectively at governance level
🔵 Prior experience chairing or serving on a Finance, Audit or Risk Committee is preferable
🔵 Strong communication skills and sound strategic judgement
🔵 A genuine commitment to THINK Hauora’s kaupapa and values

Applications close Tuesday 29th September

🔗 For more information, visit: https://communitygovernance.org.nz/join-a-board/current-opportunities/

📣 Got a Board role to fill? We list not-for-profit and public sector vacancies across Aotearoa for free - submit yours via our website today.

22/09/2026

Great article regarding the Takapau Health Centre which ECCT was really proud to support with a $400,000 grant under its Partnership Fund in November 2025. Supporting transformational change is ECCT's key priority.

A new rural GP practice is opening in Central Hawke's Bay, despite a nationwide shortage of doctors.

17/09/2026

Our Play Fund is back for Play Week 2026!

Got a great idea to get tamariki and rangatahi playing, connecting, and having fun? This is your chance to make it happen!

To celebrate Play Week 2026 (19-25 October), we have a Play Fund available to support schools, marae, and local organisations to deliver fun, inclusive, and creative play experiences in their communities.

Apply for up to $1,000 to support you in creating these play opportunities.

📅Applications open now and close 30 September 2026

To apply, speak to your Sport Hawke’s Bay contact, or email [email protected] for an application form.

Some cool Play Week ideas or inspiration could include:
• Nature play
• Play on the Way activations
• Outdoor games area
• Dress-up boxes and imaginative play stations
• Arts and crafts hubs
• Loose parts play
• Or check out the Play tips and resources from Sport New Zealand for heaps more inspiration - https://sportnz.org.nz/play/play-tips-and-resources/

16/09/2026

Applications for the WWF New Zealand Community Conservation Fund are now open!

We are proud to partner with WWF-NZ, to support local community and educational conservation groups to create long-term positive impact for people and the planet.

Eligible groups across Aotearoa can apply for up to NZ$15,000 to deliver projects through hands-on conservation, education, and matauranga Māori.

For applications and more information check out https://wwf.org.nz/community-conservation-and-education-fund

13/09/2026

Celebrate Te Reo - you just need to start somewhere and once you start, you will learn what a beautiful language it is.❤

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week

13/09/2026

Calling out to all our community groups - please check out this fund. Its not just for supporting solar installations, projects can include electric vehicles, energy efficiency improvements, but project must deliver meaningful community impact and measurable emissions reduction.

We're backing more bright ideas than ever before. 💡

Applications for our Community Decarbonisation Fund are now open, with up to $3 million available to support projects that reduce emissions and strengthen communities around Aotearoa.

From food rescues to environmental groups, we've helped community organisations invest in things like EVs, solar and electrification projects that reduce emissions, cut energy costs, and put more resources back into their communities. 💚

Know a community group doing great things? Tag them below 👇

Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/46LikVf

13/09/2026

Round two of Lottery Funding is open! Get your applications in soon.

👉 Round 2 of lottery grants funding is now open!
Applications are open for community support services, community projects, community facilities, and equipment for people with a disability.

🗓 Applications for round 2 are open from 2–29 September 2026.
Find out more and apply through our website: https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/

🌟 If you have not applied for lottery grant funding previously, we recommend all first-time applicants talk to a Community Advisor before applying. Please call us on 0800 824 824 or email [email protected]