Open Call: Major Funding Program (New Zealand)

The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund provides grants of up to $30,000 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 helps remove barriers to physical activity and community engagement.

What Is the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund?

The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund is designed to support organizations that create inclusive opportunities for people to participate in play, active recreation, and sport.

The fund focuses on increasing participation among individuals and communities that are less active by supporting accessible, community-based programmes and projects. Funding can be used to cover delivery costs, equipment, staffing, and other eligible expenses directly related to the project.

Grant Objectives

The fund aims to:

Increase participation in play, active recreation, and sport.
Support people and communities that are less active.
Improve physical health and wellbeing.
Create inclusive and accessible sporting opportunities.
Reduce barriers to participation.
Strengthen community engagement through active lifestyles.

Funding Information

Applicants may request:

Up to $30,000 per project or programme

Funding supports projects that encourage active participation and improve access to recreational and sporting opportunities.

Eligible Costs

Funding may be used for the following project-related expenses:

Programme or Project Delivery

Examples include:

Venue hire
Transport to events
Programme delivery costs
Activity-related operational expenses

Equipment

Equipment that is necessary for delivering the approved project or programme.

Coaches and Officials

Funding may cover:

Coaches
Trainers
Referees
Officials required to deliver the programme

Project Staff

Funding may be used to employ staff who will deliver 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 focus on increasing participation in:

Community sport
Active recreation
Physical activity programmes
Play-based activities
Inclusive recreation initiatives
Community wellbeing through active lifestyles

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
General administration costs
Rent
Electricity or power bills
Internet services
Existing staff salaries already funded through other sources
Staff not involved in planning or delivering the project
Medals
Prizes
Giveaways
Spot prizes
Tournament-related expenses
Sports uniforms
Camps

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants are not eligible:

National organizations that already receive partnership investment from Sport NZ
Government agencies
Regional branches of government agencies
Professional sports teams
Semi-professional sports organizations
Individual applicants
Early learning services

Why This Fund Matters

Regular participation in physical activity contributes to healthier, more connected communities.

The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund helps organizations:

Increase participation in sport and recreation.
Improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Support underserved and less active communities.
Promote inclusive participation.
Reduce financial barriers to active lifestyles.
Strengthen community engagement through recreation and sport.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

Confirm that your organization is eligible.
Design a programme or project that promotes play, active recreation, or sport.
Ensure your project targets people or communities that are less active.
Prepare a detailed project plan, timeline, and budget.
Include only eligible project costs.
Gather all required supporting documents.
Submit your application before the funding deadline.
If approved, deliver the programme and complete all reporting requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

Including costs for completed programmes or events.
Requesting funding for professional sports teams or representative squads.
Applying for capital infrastructure projects.
Including administration or operational expenses such as rent or utilities.
Requesting funding for uniforms, prizes, or tournaments.
Applying as an ineligible organization.
Submitting an incomplete budget or project description.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

Clearly explain how your project increases participation.
Demonstrate how the programme benefits less active communities.
Show measurable health and wellbeing outcomes.
Include a realistic and detailed budget.
Ensure all requested costs are eligible.
Demonstrate community need and long-term impact.
Submit a complete application with all required information.

Key Definitions

Active Recreation

Physical activities undertaken for enjoyment, health, fitness, or leisure outside of organized competitive sport.

Play

Activities that encourage movement, creativity, learning, and physical development for people of all ages.

Community Sport

Organized sporting activities that encourage participation, teamwork, fitness, and social connection within local communities.

Less Active Communities

Groups or individuals who face barriers to participating in regular physical activity due to social, economic, geographic, cultural, or personal factors.

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, particularly for people and communities that are less active.

How much funding is available?

Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $30,000.

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 can support programme delivery, venue hire, transport, equipment, coaches, officials, and staff directly involved in delivering the programme.

What costs are not eligible?

Funding cannot be used for completed programmes, professional sports, tournaments, uniforms, camps, administration costs, infrastructure projects, playgrounds, prizes, or existing staff salaries funded from other sources.

Who cannot apply?

National organizations already funded through Sport NZ partnerships, government agencies, professional sports organizations, individuals, and early learning services are not eligible.

Why is this fund important?

The fund helps communities become more active by supporting inclusive sport and recreation programmes that improve health, wellbeing, participation, and social connection.

Conclusion

The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund provides grants of up to $30,000 to support organizations delivering inclusive play, active recreation, and sport programmes across New Zealand. By funding programme delivery, equipment, staffing, and participation initiatives, the fund helps remove barriers to physical activity while promoting healthier, more active, and connected communities. Organizations that clearly demonstrate community impact, target less active participants, and submit well-planned proposals will have a stronger opportunity to secure funding.