Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Allocates $200,000 To 17 Projects Across Northland

Seventeen projects across Te Tai Tokerau have received support through the first round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund, with $200,000 allocated to initiatives spanning education, business development, events, and community projects.

The fund, which offers grants of up to $20,000, is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. The fund is designed to back initiatives that strengthen regional outcomes through local enterprise and collaboration.

Leah McKerrow, CEO of NorthChamber, said the panel was impressed by both the quality and volume of applications received.

“The selection panel was pleased to allocate funding to such a diverse range of projects. It’s inspiring to see the commitment and creativity of our local businesses and community groups. A key criteria we applied was the impact that these initiatives would have on the wider community. We’re confident these initiatives will make a meaningful impact across Northland.”

Applications came from across the region, with 47% of the successful projects identifying as Māori-led.

Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc, said the high interest in the fund reflects strong regional momentum.

“The response to this fund highlights the depth of innovation and enterprise in Te Tai Tokerau. It's particularly encouraging to see such a high proportion of Māori-led projects coming through - a testament to the strength and leadership within our Māori business community. Supporting these initiatives contributes to wider regional resilience and long-term economic growth.”

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The fund’s focus is on helping projects get off the ground or grow to the next stage - with funding supporting areas such as business capability, planning, infrastructure, or partnerships that deliver measurable regional benefit.

Northland MP Grant McCallum, who advocated for regional investment following last year’s power outage, acknowledged the role of the fund in enabling local momentum.

“Following the electricity disruption caused by the transmission tower fall, I pushed for tangible support for Northland communities. It's encouraging to see 17 diverse initiatives supported across the region — a clear reflection of the hard work and ambition driving Te Tai Tokerau forward.”

Transpower’s Executive General Manager Customer & External Affairs Raewyn Moss was part of the panel which selected successful projects.

“There were many excellent submissions, and it was great to see the opportunities this fund can deliver to help Northland grow more resilient. Our next round of funding is now open for applications.”

Applications for the second round of the fund close on Friday, 6 June. Businesses, business associations, and community groups with projects that align with the fund’s aims are encouraged to apply.

More information on eligibility and the application process is available at: www.northlandnz.com/te-tai-tokerau-impact-fund

About the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund

The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is a targeted investment programme supporting regional business and community development initiatives that deliver clear benefits for Northland. Projects can apply for between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding.

The fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with funding provided by Transpower and its Northland contractor Omexom, as part of a commitment to invest in the region following the transmission tower failure in 2023.

Funding decisions are made by a panel with representatives from Northland Inc, NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau Māori Business Network, and Transpower. Projects are assessed on their alignment with the fund’s goals, including regional impact, resilience, innovation, and readiness for delivery.

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