December Newsletter

Katie McLaren, Community Development Advisor (Social)

The Hauraki District Council recognises the role art plays in making our public places energising, interesting and inviting. Because of this, we have developed a Council Public Arts Policy and assigned annual funding to contribute towards the above. 

Each year, up to $30,000 is made available via the Public Arts Fund for applicants proposing to create and display Public Arts (either in a Public Place, or on private land in the Public Realm), provided the projects meet the criteria of the Public Arts Policy.

There is one funding round per year, which opens in Oct/November and closes in March. These can be applied for via an application form available on our website or by request in our service centres. Please ensure you read all of the information provided in the guide and in the HDC Public Arts Policy before applying.

The Hauraki District Council Public Arts Fund is open now and closes 9am on Monday the 17th of March 2025.

If you have a question about your project's eligibility or would like advice on your draft application, you can email our Grants Administrator, who will be able to put you on the right track. 

Katie McLaren, Community Development Advisor (Social)

Total Mobility

The Total Mobility Scheme will be coming to Hauraki soon! Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme aimed at giving disabled people mobility options. The scheme provides financial assistance, giving registered users a 50 per cent discount on taxi fares up to a maximum subsidy. Hauraki District Council in partnership with Waikato Regional Council are working through contracting assessment organisations and transport providers to offer the scheme to our Waihī and Paeroa residents.  

Better Futures Hauraki Forum

The Better Futures Hauraki Forum met in October to discuss current issues within our communities and put forward potential solutions and joint initiatives. The topmost issues put forward were Youth wellbeing and support, cost of living, loneliness and isolation and health. 

As a result of these discussions, it was highlighted that communities are not as aware of what social services are on offer as they could be. Council will be looking to partner with several other organisations in running social services showcase events within our communities in the new year.  

Creative Communities Funding

In 2024 we provided almost $15K to thirteen creative projects in Paeroa, Waihī and the Plains through the Hauraki Creative Communities Scheme. The projects included children’s workshops, community productions, end of year dance shows, Christmas music events, Harp workshops and Harakeke and Waiata Wananga.

Citizenship Ceremonies 

In 2024 we welcomed 65 new citizenships into our District, 13 in February, 19 in May, 16 in August and 17 in November.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme

Staff are currently working with EECA to target the harder to reach communities for Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation grants. This will include outreach to those who do not know they are eligible, targeting those in high deprivation areas (9/10). We are looking to work with local providers and local community organisations to do community outreach and act as a conduit between Council and EECA. 

Chorus Cabinet Initiative

Over the last year we have had 5 Chorus cabinets completed – 2 in Waihī, 2 in Paeroa and 1 in Kaiaua. We have chosen eight to be completed by the end of this year/start of 2025. 6 in Waihī and 2 in Paeroa.

Lyn Randall, Community Advocacy Officer 

Early in 2024, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the Paeroa Bowling Club Inc., who approached me for assistance with securing funding for some essential projects and equipment. Together, we mapped out their needs and explored various funding opportunities within the region.

One of the club's standout qualities was their willingness to contribute not only funds but also valuable ‘in-kind’ support, such as volunteer manpower. Often, groups overlook ‘in-kind’ contributions when applying for funding, but funders recognise the value of applicants demonstrating commitment to their projects. After all, if an organisation is unwilling to contribute, why should anyone else?

Our partnership involved a clear, strategic approach to funding applications. We prioritised the goals of different funders, reviewed application timelines, and coordinated a plan. With some guidance, the club submitted applications for two projects. Although the initial application faced a setback, the group wasn’t discouraged. With renewed focus, we submitted revised applications—and this time, both were successful. This outcome underscores the power of persistence and strategic planning in the funding process.

Currently, the club has two successful grants in hand and two additional applications under review for decision. Their tenacity and organised planning have truly set them on the path to success. I have no doubt that they’ll continue to thrive.

If your organisation is exploring funding opportunities and would like some guidance, feel free to reach out to me at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz. Let’s work together to turn your project vision into reality.

Photo: courtesy of MD Pics

Lyn Randall, Community Advocacy Officer

Next year I will be running a number of free informal workshops that aim to guide organisations through the process of applying for funding to a number of funding organisations. There will be computers on hand for you to use during the workshop, take away information and we will cover a variety of subjects such as registering with funding organisations, planning your funding approach, funding priorities, what to prepare and much more. 

Watch this space for updates, however if you would like to ensure that you are the first to know about these workshops, please email your interest to me at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz.

Please note that these workshops are limited to organisations operating in the Hauraki District only. Looking forward to seeing you in 2025!

Julie Stephenson - Community Employment Liaison

Gr8 Job Hauraki has had a massive intake of new clients with 84 registrations since July 1, 2024. The very slow job market has meant that we have struggled for placements, so this has had quite an impact on the way we work. We are doing what we can to ensure that when the job market does open up, our rangatahi have acquired some new skills that will help make them amazing employees.

It has been hard going, but we are really delighted to be just over half way to our target outcomes for the year ending June 30, 2025. We have made 17 placements as well as influencing another eight who sit outside our criteria.

Julie Stephenson - Community Employment Liaison

We have recently given full scholarships to two amazing young men who completed the 21-day course at Outward Bound, Anakiwa. Here is our favourite quote from them both:

Zack Conroy – Zack’s big takeaways were about managing his time well, communicating better, and taking responsibility for himself. Going without phones or screens for twenty-one days wasn’t a big deal for Zack; he was just too busy to even miss them.

 
Mason Riddle – Mason said his biggest learning was realising that he can persevere with so much more than he thought he could. In the past he would have just given up, but he can now approach challenging situations and know that he can overcome them. We have eight full scholarships for 2025 and are looking forward to sending more rangatahi on a journey of self-discovery.

 
Photo:  Zack Conroy

Julie Stephenson - Community Employment Liaison

Miyah Henley registered with Gr8 Job Hauraki over a year ago. She had moved away from her family and was living alone when she came to see if we could help her. She was living independently and trying to fully support herself with a small part time job, so she was struggling with living costs. 

When the fixed term summer lifeguard positions came up through Hauraki District Council, we thought she would be a perfect fit. This role offered Miyah more hours and gave her time to think more about her future direction. Miyah was successful with her application and really enjoyed the role – especially the paid training and the team leadership.

Toward the end of her lifeguard role, Miyah saw an apprenticeship opportunity come up with Hauraki District Council in the reticulation team which piqued her interest. Miyah applied and has become the first-ever woman on the reticulation team which consists of herself and ‘about 16 guys’! 

They look after the network of pipes that transport water around the Hauraki District as well as waste water and storm water. Her favourite parts of the role are working outdoors, the huge variety and the feeling of solving a problem every day. Kau mau te wehi Miyah! That’s outstanding!

Photo: Miyah Henley - Reticulation Team, with Hauraki District Council

Lou Beer - Event & Business Support Coordinator

Businesses were especially keen to upskill in AI this year and our two ChatGPT workshops were sell outs. Keep an eye out in early 2025 for more workshops – both for ChatGPT and CoPilot. It may be possible to get partial funding for these courses by registering for the Regional Business Partner programme.

For Waikato, the provider is Soda Inc. Their Business Growth Advisors can help business owners and key managers identify needs and opportunities to grow their business by providing advice, information, referrals and connections to businesses seeking support on their growth journey.

Lou Beer - Event & Business Support Coordinator

‘Tis the season and local volunteers have really made it jolly with heaps of events to spread the Christmas Cheer! With Santa parades, themed markets, park events and Christmas trees. 

Special thanks to GO Waihī, Connecting the Plains and Paeroa Business Association for all the hard work behind the scenes and of course to Santa who made a special appearance at all the events! Some of these events have received funding from the District Event Fund and we encourage those with event ideas to apply for support too.

Photo:  Ngatea Milking Machines and Pump Services Ltd