$25k Boost For Kaikōura Museum

Friday, 2 May 2025, 8:18 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Sixteen Kaikōura community and sports organisations are set to receive a funding boost.

The Kaikōura District Council voted to distribute up to $100,000 to local organisations from its discretionary grants fund at a council meeting on Wednesday, April 30.

Councillor Vicki Gulleford said the recipients were a mix of heritage, arts and culture, sports, environmental and community organisations.

‘‘Our criteria is about supporting the community to connect and participate together and these organisations all achieve that in different ways.’’

The discretionary grants fund was established in 2022 to provide a more transparent process for distributing grants to the community.

‘‘We would get groups coming along during the annual plan process and asking for support, but it wasn’t an open process, so we looked out how we could manage it better,’’ Cr Gulleford said.

The Kaikōura Historical Society Incorporated is the largest recipient and is set to receive $25,000 to assist with the operational costs of the Kaikōura Museum.

She said the council had an obligation under the Local Government Act to support the preservation of local heritage.

‘‘We have that obligation historically, so the museum was given funding prior to the discretionary grants process being created.

‘‘Last year we had some discussion with the museum about whether we should have a targeted rate to fund it, but that will need to be looked at as part of the next Long Term Plan process.

‘‘The museum is always diversifying and bringing in exhibitions and speakers, so it is important to support such key community facilities.’’

The other major recipients are Te Hā o Mātauranga (Learning in Kaikōura), the Kaikōura Community Theatre Incorporated and Sport Tasman.

Like the museum, Sport Tasman has received council funding for a number of years to help with running community events and supporting local schools.

Discussions have also been held with the Kaikōura Community Theatre Inc, which runs the Mayfair Art and Culture Centre, about it how could be funded in future, Cr Gulleford said.

Mayor Craig Mackle said Te Hā o Mātauranga played an important role in improving educational outcomes and held the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs contract on behalf of the council.

The discretionary grants fund will be included in the council’s 2025/26 annual plan, which will be adopted on June 26.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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