Open Call for Equipment and Activity Grant (New Zealand)

The Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant 2026 provides funding of up to NZD $5,750 (including GST) to help families in the upper half of New Zealand’s North Island purchase equipment, services, or experiences that improve the quality of life of children and young people with physical disabilities. The grant supports eligible applicants aged 0–21 years who demonstrate financial need and meet the Trust’s eligibility requirements.

What is the Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant?

The Equipment and Activity Grant is a funding programme offered by The Wilson Home Trust to support children and young people with physical disabilities. The grant helps families access equipment, services, and activities that improve independence, participation, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

The programme reflects the Trust’s commitment to helping young people overcome barriers created by physical disabilities by providing financial assistance for essential items and meaningful experiences that may not be available through other funding sources.

Grant Overview

Grant Name: Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant
Organized By: The Wilson Home Trust
Country: New Zealand
Eligible Region: Upper half of New Zealand’s North Island
Grant Amount: Up to NZD $5,750 (including GST) per eligible child or young person
Target Beneficiaries: Children and young people with physical disabilities aged 0–21 years
Application Frequency: One application per child every 12 months

Purpose of the Grant

The grant aims to improve the lives of children and young people with physical disabilities by helping families access resources that support their development, independence, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Its objectives include:

Improving quality of life.
Supporting participation in everyday activities.
Increasing independence.
Providing access to essential equipment.
Supporting therapeutic and developmental services.
Enabling meaningful recreational and educational experiences.
Reducing financial barriers for eligible families.

Why This Grant Matters

Children with physical disabilities often require specialized equipment, services, or activities that can place significant financial pressure on families.

The Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant helps bridge this gap by providing financial support for items and experiences that improve mobility, participation, learning, recreation, and overall wellbeing. The programme enables children and young adults to participate more fully in family, school, and community life.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

Be 21 years of age or younger.
Have a physical disability that primarily affects the function of the body and/or limbs.
Live in the upper half of New Zealand’s North Island, as defined by the Wilson Home Trust Deed.
Demonstrate financial need.
Have explored all other available funding options before applying.

Applicants may also have sensory or intellectual disabilities; however, the primary reason for funding must be a physical disability.

Eligible Disabilities

The grant is intended for children and young people whose primary disability is physical.

Eligible applicants may have conditions affecting:

Mobility.
Muscle function.
Limb movement.
Physical coordination.
Body movement.
Physical independence.

Additional sensory or intellectual disabilities do not affect eligibility if the primary disability is physical.

Funding Information

Successful applicants may receive:

Up to NZD $5,750 (including GST) for each eligible child or young person.

Only one application per child or young person may be submitted every 12 months.

Approved funding must generally be used within six months, unless exceptional circumstances are approved.

What the Grant Can Support

Funding may be used for equipment, services, or experiences that improve the child’s wellbeing and participation.

Examples may include:

Mobility equipment.
Adaptive equipment.
Assistive technology.
Therapy-related equipment.
Educational resources.
Recreational activities.
Community participation opportunities.
Developmental experiences.
Services that improve independence and quality of life.

Financial Eligibility

Applicants must demonstrate financial need by meeting one of the following criteria:

Hold a Community Services Card, or
Meet the household income thresholds specified by the Wilson Home Trust.

Financial eligibility helps ensure funding reaches families who need support the most.

Application Processing

The Trust processes applications based on the requested grant amount.

Applications Under NZD $575

Usually processed within three working days.

Applications Above NZD $575

Reviewed by the Grants Committee.
Committee meetings generally take place approximately every six weeks.

Processing times may vary depending on application volume.

Important Grant Conditions

Applicants should be aware of the following conditions:

Only one application is allowed per child every 12 months.
Approved grants should be used within six months.
Retrospective funding is not available.
Applicants must first explore alternative funding sources.
Intensive therapies are not funded.
Overseas therapies are not funded.

If approved equipment must be purchased from overseas:

The applicant pays the supplier directly.
The Trust reimburses the applicant after receiving proof of payment.
The Trust cannot make direct payments to overseas suppliers.

What the Grant Does Not Cover

The grant does not fund:

Retrospective applications.
Intensive therapy programmes.
Overseas therapies.
Costs that should reasonably be covered through other funding sources.
Direct payments to overseas suppliers.

Applicants should ensure all eligibility and funding conditions are met before applying.

How to Apply

Applicants should generally follow these steps:

Confirm that the child meets the age and disability eligibility requirements.
Ensure the family resides within the eligible region.
Check financial eligibility requirements.
Explore all other available funding options.
Prepare supporting documentation.
Complete the grant application.
Submit the application to The Wilson Home Trust.
Await assessment and funding decision.

If approved, funding should be used within the required timeframe.

Benefits of the Grant

Eligible families can benefit from:

Funding of up to NZD $5,750.
Improved access to essential equipment.
Greater participation in education and community activities.
Enhanced independence.
Better quality of life.
Reduced financial pressure.
Support for long-term wellbeing and development.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

Clearly explain how the requested support will benefit the child.
Demonstrate that the primary disability is physical.
Provide complete financial information.
Show that other funding options have been explored.
Include all required supporting documents.
Apply before purchasing any items requiring funding.
Ensure the requested items align with the Trust’s funding objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying after purchasing equipment or services.
Requesting funding for overseas or intensive therapies.
Failing to demonstrate financial need.
Not exploring alternative funding options first.
Submitting incomplete documentation.
Applying more than once within a 12-month period.
Requesting funding for purposes outside the Trust’s eligibility criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant?

It is a grant programme that helps families purchase equipment, services, or experiences that improve the lives of children and young people with physical disabilities.

2. Who can apply?

Children and young people aged 21 years or younger who have a physical disability, live in the eligible area of New Zealand’s North Island, and meet the financial eligibility requirements.

3. How much funding is available?

Eligible applicants may receive up to NZD $5,750 (including GST) per child or young person.

4. How often can applications be submitted?

Only one application per eligible child or young person every 12 months is permitted.

5. How quickly are applications processed?

Applications requesting less than NZD $575 are generally processed within three working days, while larger requests are reviewed approximately every six weeks.

6. Can the grant fund overseas therapies?

No. The grant does not fund overseas therapies or intensive therapy programmes. However, approved equipment purchased from overseas may be reimbursed after proof of payment is provided.

7. Why is this grant important?

The grant helps reduce financial barriers for families by providing funding for equipment, services, and experiences that improve independence, participation, wellbeing, and quality of life for children and young people with physical disabilities.

Conclusion

The Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant 2026 provides valuable financial assistance to families caring for children and young people with physical disabilities in the upper half of New Zealand’s North Island. With funding of up to NZD $5,750, the programme enables eligible families to access essential equipment, supportive services, and meaningful experiences that promote independence, inclusion, and wellbeing. Families who meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply after exploring all other available funding options.