Kinetic NZ Announces 2025 Moving Communities Fund Recipients

• 16 organisations and community groups have been awarded grants totalling $75,000
• Moving Communities Fund received nearly 300 grant applications from across Aotearoa

New Zealand’s largest bus operator Kinetic has announced the recipients of its inaugural Moving Communities Fund, with 16 organisations across New Zealand receiving monetary grants of up to $10,000 to support vital community programs.

The fund, which was launched for the first time in New Zealand in 2025, was set up to support grassroots initiatives that champion youth and disadvantaged groups, promote equity and inclusion, and address pressing local needs.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of applications from across Aotearoa,” said Kinetic Group CEO, Michael Sewards.

“As a company that connects communities daily, supporting these grassroots initiatives feels like a natural extension of our work.

“We're confident that every dollar invested will create meaningful, lasting change in communities that need it most.”

The 16 organisations selected reflect the diverse community needs across the both the North and South Islands. The recipients range from small local sporting clubs requiring equipment or travel support, to larger not-for-profits delivering programs that address youth engagement, support for those who are experiencing hardship, domestic violence, lived disability support, and other community needs.

Kinetic New Zealand Managing Director, Calum Haslop said the breadth of applications demonstrated the vital role grassroots organisations play in building stronger communities.

“These organisations are at the heart of their communities, tackling complex challenges despite limited resources. They are doing it tough right now, with funding under pressure as the communities they support also struggle.

“Our role is to provide that boost so they can focus on what they do best: making a difference where it matters most.”

One recipient of the 2025 Moving Communities Fund is Orange Sky Aotearoa, a nationwide charity that supports people experiencing homelessness or hardship. The grant will be used to help keep its vans, pods, and laundries running, ensuring they can continue providing free laundry, warm showers, and a safe, welcoming space.

Louise Phillips, Fundraising & Development Manager at Orange Sky Aotearoa, said: "We value building strong connections with local communities, and through the incredibly generous donation by Kinetic's 2025 Moving Communities Fund, we can continue to provide our essential services of clean laundry, safe showers and positive connection for the growing number of Kiwi's experiencing homelessness and hardship. This funding will help us meet the growing need we are seeing and support our incredible tūao (volunteers) to keep showing up day after day, week after week. At the heart of our kaupapa is enhancing dignity and mana – and we are truly thankful for this support.”

The funding will cover essential equipment, maintenance, insurance, and volunteer support, helping Orange Sky Aotearoa maintain consistent services for those doing it tough.

EVolocity is committed to building the next generation of innovators, along with the skills they need to make a positive impact on their future, and the world they live in. Its programme envisions a cleaner, more resilient future where every young Kiwi can be a leader in sustainable technologies.

Commenting on its grant, Jo Morgan, Head of Partnerships at Evolocity, said the funding will help them continue their momentum and ensures more young people see themselves in sustainable, impactful futures. “EVolocity is an incubator for innovation and engineering excellence, helping create future-focused career pathways for young New Zealanders. We’re grateful to Kinetic for supporting our national programme with this generous donation. Their contribution enables us to deliver hands-on STEM experiences to rangatahi across Aotearoa. Through their electric vehicle build journey, our young participants gain practical skills in engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving—preparing them for tertiary study, apprenticeships, and prosperous careers in tech and trades.”

The grant will be used towards national programme costs supporting eight regions throughout Aotearoa.

Congratulations to the 2025 Moving Communities NZ Grant Recipients:

• CCS Disability, North Island
• Circability Trust, nationwide
• Community Research, nationwide
• Diamonds in the Rough, nationwide
• EVolocity, nationwide
• Life Education Trust Heartland Otago, Otago, Southland
• LifeSkills, nationwide
• Moana Vā, Navigators of Pacific Pride, Christchurch
• Orange Sky, nationwide
• Otago Wheelchair Rugby Inc, Dunedin
• Papamoa Community Patrol, Tauranga
• Special Olympics North Otago Trust, Otago
• Springlands Sea Scouts Group, Blenheim
• Wairarapa Road Safety Council, Wairarapa
• Youth Voices Action (YVA), Tauranga
• YWCA Auckland, Auckland

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