Thriving in Murihiku Fund 2023 applications are now closed. 

These funds are focused on providing financial support to organisations creating positive outcomes for rangatahi in Murihiku, with a focus on Waihōpai (Invercargill) and Motupōhue (Bluff). This fund is part of Te Rourou’s Invercargill Initiative which you can read more about here. Alongside funding targeted in Waihōpai / Invercargill, $60,000 was ringfenced for a Bluff Activation Fund – Pūtea Whakahohe Motupōhue. 

2023 Application information

This fund is for one-off contestable funding. We have a total of $375,000 to allocate. We are open to applications of up to $100,000 for the main fund, which totals $315k. We are ring fencing $60k for the Bluff Activation Fund – for which we are seeking applications of up to $50,000, for projects, activities or scoping/feasibility studies focussed on making a difference for Rangatahi in Bluff.

Please note that you are welcome to put in separate applications for both the ring-fenced Bluff funding and the main fund. Please also note that applications for over $50k for the Bluff rohe will be considered as part of main fund.

Some things to know before you apply:

  • You are welcome to put separate applications for the Bluff Activation Fund and Thriving in Murihiku funds. Any applications for the Bluff rohe which are over $50,000 will be considered as part of the larger pot of funds.
  • Try to consider the level of resourcing your mahi needs and apply for the true costs. For example, if for wages, include kiwisaver, acc and other employment costs like equipment. We try to fully fund projects where possible.
  • Some criteria: You need to be a registered charity in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for funding and you must be working with rangatahi based in Invercargill, Bluff or Southland.
  • We strongly believe that local communities have the solutions to local problems, so organisations with no presence in the region are unlikely to be successful. National organisations working in the area are welcome to apply.
  • As with the previous round, decisions on funding will be made through a panel that will include people with a connection to, and knowledge of, the region, of the sector and rangatahi, and of philanthropy. The panel is yet to be determined.
  • We have outlined the rangatahi we are looking to support, the focus areas of our funding and the application questions below.

We’ve been building relationships and growing our knowledge of the community through research since 2019. To understand more about our approach, please see our page on The Invercargill Initiative.

The young people who we want to support are aged 12 to 24 and experience exclusion and disadvantage. These rangatahi have experience with at least one of the following:

  • Contact with Care and Protection (Oranga Tamariki)
  • Experiences with police or the justice system
  • Intergenerational poverty
  • Exclusions or disengagement from mainstream schooling
  • Are young parents (under 18)
  • Primarily living in Invercargill and Bluff

We have a proactive focus, as responsible Te Tiriti partners, on supporting rangatahi Māori.

If you would like to understand how we arrived at this focus, please refer to our “Literature Review”.

Other research and information that may be helpful can be found on our Research and Evaluations Page.

Our focus areas for this fund are:

Building Future Pathways

The rangatahi of Invercargill aspire to meaningful careers, however jobs can be hard to find and retain. With job losses in traditional local employers in the region, this is only likely to get more challenging. We want to provide young people with support and opportunities to explore new possible futures, experience employment and skill-building opportunities, and build a career which is meaningful to them.

Our vision is for all rangatahi in Invercargill to have access to a wide range of future opportunities. Rangatahi are supported to explore different pathways and experiences and build digital skills that help unlock meaningful career paths. The world of work feels welcoming and employers understand rangatahi needs. Rangatahi are valued, excited about their future, thriving in their careers, and able to make choices for their future.

Supporting Māori Aspirations

Reconnection to whakapapa and culture was universally acknowledged as a foundational component of thriving for the rangatahi of Invercargill. Those who had walked alongside rangatahi on this journey told compelling stories of impact. However, many rangatahi do not have this opportunity.  We are interested in work that dismantles and challenges structural racism and builds cultural connection.

Our vision is for all rangatahi Māori in Invercargill have opportunities to connect to their culture and access culturally appropriate services. They are valued for the perspectives they bring and being Māori is seen  across the community as a strength and an asset.

Creating Connection

Connection ensures rangatahi can participate in work and education, stay in touch with whānau and social supports, and remain attuned to future opportunities. It is an important protective factor. Both digital and physical connectivity are important to rangatahi. We are specifically focusing on digital connectivity, access to the digital world, and transport.

Our vision is for all rangatahi in Invercargill to feel more connected. Barriers to the digital world have been removed and they are able to participate online with confidence and safety. Rangatahi are provided with support to obtain their drivers licenses, reducing physical and geographic barriers to connection and participation. This results in increased well-being, higher levels of civic and social engagement and opens doors to a wide range of education, recreation and employment opportunities.

We are unlikely to fund:

  • research or interventions around specific physical illness or disabilities
  • research projects not connected to practical outcomes
  • the generation of short films or web series unless supported by ongoing youth development
  • one off events or short-term interventions
  • capital projects and infrastructure
  • projects without youth input
  • scholarships, tertiary studies or funding for individuals

Thriving in Murihiku Funding Application

We understand that folks working in the community sector are pushed for time, so we included our key questions to help you prepare. Please note the word limits in brackets at the end of each question.

1.  What is the purpose and vision of your organisation? (300)

2. How does your mahi (work) align with the Thriving in Murihiku funding focus areas? (300)

3. What outcome and impact stories do you have from your work to date? (300)

4. What level of funding are you requesting, and what do you need it for? You will be invited to include a high-level budget here. (50 and attachment)

5. What would this grant enable you to achieve and how many young people are likely to be impacted? (500)

6. What would success look like in a year’s time? How will you know if you’ve achieved it? (500)