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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Marae resilience funding

E ngaa mana, e ngaa reo, e ngaa karangatanga maha, teenaa koutou katoa.

Marae resilience funding provides an opportunity for each marae across the district to apply for up to $13,000 to support initiatives that strengthen marae preparedness, response and recovery capability.

The fund has been designed to support marae-led priorities. Every marae is different, and resilience will look different for every marae. This funding provides an opportunity for marae to invest in projects that strengthen their ability to care for whaanau, support communities and respond during times of disruption.

Funding requests can be submitted at any stage from August 2026 to August 2027.

All approved projects must be completed by August 2027.

Funding can be used for activities that strengthen marae resilience, including:

Marae Preparedness

  • Emergency response plans
  • Marae emergency procedures
  • Communication systems
  • Water storage and security
  • Emergency equipment
  • Generators and backup power
  • Business continuity planning

Emergency Response Capability

  • Welfare response capability
  • Emergency supplies and equipment
  • Emergency accommodation readiness
  • Food storage and preparation capability
  • Coordination and communication systems

Recovery and Community Support

  • Recovery planning
  • Community resilience initiatives
  • Wellbeing and support activities
  • Community recovery projects

Training and Capability Development

  • Emergency management training
  • First aid training
  • Welfare training
  • Marae emergency exercises
  • Community preparedness workshops

Partnerships and Planning

  • Joint planning initiatives
  • Local resilience planning
  • Partnership development
  • Information-sharing arrangements
Marae are also encouraged to consider how this funding can support marae readiness for Te Matatini 2027 while creating long-term resilience benefits for whaanau and communities beyond the event itself.

 

Funding is not to be used for:

  • General operational costs, wages, salaries
  • Routine maintenance
  • Activities unrelated to emergency management or resilience outcomes
  • Retrospective reimbursement of completed works or projects.

Marae preparedness plan - Template

pdf,  970 KB Download

What is required

To access funding, marae will need to:

  • Complete the registration form. This must be completed by the marae Chairperson
  • Identify the resilience initiative(s) they wish to undertake
  • Enter into a funding agreement for approved initiatives
  • Provide progress updates through Toituu Marae forums
  • Submit a short interim report by January 2027
  • Submit a final report by September 2027.

The reporting process has been designed to be practical, straightforward, and focused on outcomes rather than compliance.

Register your interest

Section 1: Marae information

The information requested in this section is required to meet funding, governance, auditing, and accountability requirements. These details help us verify eligibility and administer funding responsibly. Ngaa mihi.

(Required)
(Required)
(Required)
(Required)

If different to the Chairperson

(Required)

Section 2: Resilience project

(Required)
Which funding outcome does this align to? (Required)
Which of the following best describes your initiative? (Required)
(Required)
Does the initiative support Te Matatini readiness? (Required)
When do you plan to start and deliver the project? (Required)
Would your marae like support from Council to develop this initiative? (Required)
Has your marae developed a resilience, emergency management, or preparedness plan? (Required)

Next steps

Over the coming weeks:

  1. Funding agreements will be distributed to marae.
  2. Waikato District Council staff will be available to discuss project ideas and answer questions.
  3. Marae can begin identifying resilience priorities and projects.
  4. Approved funding will be released once agreements have been completed.

Frequently asked questions

Funding of up to $13,000 may be available for each marae, subject to programme criteria approved resilience initiatives, available programme funding, and equity considerations.

All marae within the Waikato district.

Projects that strengthen marae preparedness,response, recovery and community resilience.

Yes. Marae are encouraged to align resilience projects with Te Matatini readiness where appropriate.

No. Funding requests may be submitted at any stage during the programme period (August 2026 and August 2027.

Complete the Registration Form and Funding Agreement, provide progress updates through Toituu Marae, and submit brief reports in January and September 2027.

That's okay. Marae may submit funding requests at any stage during the programme period when they are ready to progress a resilience initiative.

Any unspent, returned, declined, or withdrawn funding may be redistributed through the programme to support additional resilience initiatives, identified resilience priorities, or marae requiring further support to achieve programme outcomes.

Who to contact for more help

Talk to our Resilience team. We can answer any questions you have and assist with your application.

Last updated 5 November 2026, 09:25 am

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