More than $168,000 in funding has been allocated to 50 community groups by Masterton District Council’s Awards and Grants committee, following a total of 60 applications to the Community Wellbeing and Community Events funds.

Committee Chair Cr Tim Nelson said requests for funding had been more than three times the available budgets.

“Each year, this is a tough but rewarding job for the committee,” he said.

“Consideration of applications is always careful and thoughtful, and followed very useful presentations by many applicants. We are mindful that these funds come from ratepayers in a difficult economic environment.

“It is great to see the good work that continues to be done in our community, and we look forward to seeing the results of the support these grants provide.”

Details of grants are:

Community Wellbeing Grant

There were 39 applications received requesting funding of $332,838 with a budget of $101,042 available for allocation.  An amount of $1,158 was allocated from the Community Events Fund budget to cover these allocations. The committee heard from 26 presenters on 3 September 2025.

The following grants were allocated:

Access Radio Wairarapa Charitable Trust - $3,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Alzheimers Wairarapa Incorporated - $3,000

Funding towards the Out & About and Iona Day programmes.

Cobblestones Trust - $1,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Come Sew With Me Working Vintage Sewing Machine Museum - $2,500

Funding towards operating expenses.

Good Bitches Trust - $1,500

Funding towards the Baking it Better programme.

He Kahui Wairarapa Incorporated - $2,000

Funding towards the Mobile Marae.

Hōkai Tahi Charitable Trust - $2,500

Funding towards operating expenses.

Hospice Wairarapa Community Trust Board - $2,000

Funding towards the Biographies : Connecting Through Storytelling project.

Kia Hakinakina Wairarapa - $4,000

Funding towards the Raise A Village programme of play, physical activity, sport and recreation.

Little Bundles Wairarapa - $500

Funding towards creating little bundles packs for babies and children in need.

Mahi Tahi Tatou Charitable Trust - $4,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Masterton Community Toy Library - $2,000

Funding towards rent.

Masterton District Brass Band - $10,000

Funding towards the Senior Band and Learner’s programme.

Masterton Mens Shed Incorporated - $2,000

Funding towards the purchase of an automated external defibrillator.

Masterton Young Citizens Club Incorporated - $8,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Motuoru Trust - $1,000

Funding towards expenses for the Youth Development and Mentoring programmes.

Netball Wairarapa Incorporated - $4,000

Funding towards upgrading the lighting at the Wairarapa Trust House Netball Centre

People First NZ Incorporated – Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi - $1,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Ranfurly Club Incorporated - $2,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Riding for the Disabled Association Wairarapa Group Incorporated - $2,500

Funding towards the purchase of a new tractor for the care and maintenance of the riding facilities.

Shear History Trust - $10,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

SPCA (Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) - $7,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Wairarapa Citizens Advice Bureau Incorporated - $2,000

Funding towards operating expenses.

Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club Incorporated - $2,000

Funding towards the purchase of two dragon boats.

Wairarapa Filipino Society - $2,000

Funding for the biannual Health and Wellbeing Through Sports programme.

Wairarapa Road Safety Council - $10,000

Funding to support the Wairarapa Driver Mentor Programme.

Wairarapa Youth Charitable Trust - $8,000

Funding towards two programmes; Wairarapa Boxing Academy and Wairarapa CounterPunch.

Wairarapa Youth Orchestra - $1,700

Funding for sectional workshops and tutor fees for the Masterton students of the Orchestra.

l North Island Incorporated (Wairarapa Branch) - $1,000

Funding towards the Thrive (Hauora Hinengaro Pai-Oranga Mental Health and Wellbeing) programme.

TOTAL - $102,200 

Community Events Fund

There were 21 applications received requesting funding of $214,018 with a budget of $67,100 available for allocation.  The committee heard from 14 presenters on 3 September 2025.

The following grants were allocated:

Age Concern Wairarapa Incorporated - $2,000

Ageing with Attitude Expo 2025

Alzheimers Wairarapa Incorporated - $2,000

The Bricks and Wheels Well-Lug Lego Show

Douglas Villa Association Football Club Incorporated - $2,000

Douglas Villa AFC Junior Football Tournament 2025

Eastside Community Group - $4,000

2026 Community Festival

Elevate Wairarapa Community Trust - $7,000

Summer Hummer 2026

Equippers Masterton Trust - $1,000

2025 Colour Party

Golden Shears International Shearing Championship Society - $12,500

Golden Shears  and World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships 2026

Masterton Malayali Association - $1,000

Onam Celebration

Masterton Motorplex Incorporated - $5,000

2025-26 Drag Racing Season

Mauriceville Kopuaranga Fair Association - $3,000

27th Annual Mauriceville Country Fair

Ngai Tūmapūhia-a-rangi Hapu Incorporated - $1,000

Wairarapa Pā Wars 2026

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - $1,000

Biannual Pūkaha Wairarapa Garden Tour

Rangitāne o Wairarapa Incorporated - $1,000

Christmas at Matua Pā

REAP Wairarapa Incorporated - $3,126

2025 REAP Wairarapa Whakaoriori Schools Kapa Haka Festival

Jane ROSS - $2,500

Wairarapa Film Festival and Wairarapa 50-Hour Film Project

Rotary Club of Masterton South - $8,000

Masterton Christmas Fair 2025

Te Whānau Tautoko Incorporated - $1,000

Masterton Primary School Gala

Tinui Horse Sports Club - $1,587

2026 Tinui Horse Sports and Family Day Out

Wairarapa Balloon Society Incorporated - $5,000

2026 Wairarapa Balloon Festival

Wairarapa Pre Shears Wool Handling Championships - $1,000

2026 Pre Shears World Wool Handling Championship competition

Wairarapa Women’s Centre - $1,000

Whanaungatanga in Action; A Year of Community Engagement and Co-Creation Hui and Events

TOTAL - $65,713

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