Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 to organizations that deliver play, active recreation, and sport opportunities across New Zealand. The fund prioritizes projects that encourage participation among people who are less active and supports initiatives that improve health, wellbeing, and community engagement.
What Is the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund?
The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund is a community funding program that supports organizations delivering inclusive play, active recreation, and sport opportunities. The fund focuses on increasing participation among individuals and communities that face barriers to physical activity or are less active.
Funding helps organizations deliver programmes that promote healthier lifestyles, improve wellbeing, and encourage greater community participation.
Grant Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Increase participation in play, active recreation, and sport.
- Encourage physical activity among less active communities.
- Improve community health and wellbeing.
- Create inclusive and accessible recreation opportunities.
- Support community-led sport and recreation initiatives.
- Reduce barriers to participation.
Funding Information
Applicants may request:
- Up to $5,000 per project or programme
Funding is available for eligible activities that directly support the planning and delivery of play, active recreation, and sport programmes.
Eligible Costs
Funding may be used for the following project-related expenses:
Programme or Project Delivery
Eligible costs include:
- Venue hire
- Transport to events
- Programme delivery expenses
- Activity-related operational costs
Equipment
Funding may be used to purchase equipment required to deliver the approved programme or project.
Coaches and Officials
Eligible costs include:
- Coaches
- Trainers
- Referees
- Officials required for programme delivery
Project Staff
Funding may support staff involved in delivering the programme, provided they are not already funded through another source.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Hapū
- Iwi
- Marae
- Māori organizations
- Incorporated clubs and societies
- Charitable trusts
- Regional councils
- Local councils
- For-profit businesses
- Commercial organizations
- Social enterprises
- Primary schools
- Intermediate schools
- Kura
- Secondary schools
- Wharekura
- Tertiary education institutions
- Whare Wānanga
Eligible Activities
Projects should promote participation in:
- Community sport
- Active recreation
- Physical activity programmes
- Play-based activities
- Inclusive recreation initiatives
- Community fitness programmes
- Active lifestyle projects
Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Programmes or events that have already been completed
- Representative teams
- Sports academies
- Professional athletes
- Professional sports teams
- Capital infrastructure projects
- Facility development
- Playground construction
- Administration costs
- Rent
- Electricity or utility bills
- Internet services
- Existing staff salaries funded through other sources
- Staff not involved in project planning or delivery
- Medals
- Prizes
- Giveaways
- Spot prizes
- Tournament-related expenses
- Sports uniforms
- Camps
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following applicants are not eligible:
- National organizations already receiving partnership investment from Sport NZ
- Government agencies
- Regional branches of government agencies
- Professional or semi-professional sports teams and organizations
- Individual applicants
- Early learning services
Why This Fund Matters
Physical activity improves health, wellbeing, and social inclusion while helping build stronger communities.
The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund supports organizations that:
- Increase participation in sport and recreation.
- Encourage active lifestyles.
- Improve physical and mental wellbeing.
- Reduce participation barriers.
- Support underserved communities.
- Promote inclusive community engagement.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Confirm that your organization meets the eligibility requirements.
- Design a programme or project that promotes play, active recreation, or sport.
- Identify the target participants, particularly less active communities.
- Prepare a detailed project plan and budget.
- Ensure that all requested expenses are eligible.
- Gather the required supporting documents.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
- If approved, deliver the programme and complete all required reporting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application mistakes:
- Requesting funding for completed projects or events.
- Including ineligible costs such as uniforms, tournaments, camps, or prizes.
- Applying for capital infrastructure projects.
- Including administration expenses such as rent or internet.
- Requesting funding for existing staff salaries not related to the project.
- Applying as an ineligible organization.
- Submitting incomplete budgets or supporting documents.
Tips for a Strong Application
To strengthen your application:
- Clearly explain how the project increases participation.
- Demonstrate benefits for less active communities.
- Describe expected health and wellbeing outcomes.
- Prepare a realistic and detailed budget.
- Request funding only for eligible expenses.
- Highlight long-term community impact.
- Ensure all application requirements are complete before submission.
Key Definitions
Active Recreation
Physical activities undertaken for enjoyment, health, fitness, and leisure outside formal competitive sport.
Play
Activities that encourage movement, creativity, learning, and physical development for children, young people, and adults.
Community Sport
Organized sporting activities that encourage participation, teamwork, fitness, and community connection.
Less Active Communities
Individuals or groups who participate less frequently in physical activity because of social, economic, cultural, geographic, or personal barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund?
The fund supports organizations that provide play, active recreation, and sport opportunities, especially for people and communities that are less active.
How much funding can applicants receive?
Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include Hapū, Iwi, Marae, Māori organizations, incorporated clubs, charitable trusts, councils, social enterprises, businesses, schools, and tertiary education institutions.
What expenses are eligible?
Funding may be used for programme delivery, venue hire, transport, equipment, coaches, officials, and project staff involved in delivering the programme.
What expenses are not eligible?
Funding cannot be used for completed projects, professional sports teams, tournaments, camps, sports uniforms, prizes, administration costs, existing staff salaries, or capital infrastructure projects.
Who is not eligible to apply?
National organizations already funded by Sport NZ, government agencies, professional or semi-professional sports organizations, individuals, and early learning services are not eligible.
Why is this fund important?
The fund helps organizations create inclusive opportunities for physical activity, improve community wellbeing, increase participation in sport and recreation, and encourage healthier lifestyles across New Zealand.
Conclusion
The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 to organizations delivering community-based play, active recreation, and sport programmes. By supporting eligible programme delivery costs, equipment, staffing, and coaching, the fund helps remove barriers to participation and encourages healthier, more active communities. Organizations that clearly demonstrate community impact, focus on increasing participation among less active groups, and submit a well-prepared application will have a stronger chance of securing funding.
For more information, visit Sport Otago.
