Events in the Western Bay backed by collaborative fund
Much-loved community events are coming to Waihī Beach, Katikati, and Matakana Island soon, thanks to a new community funding grant.
The new Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund (TWBCEF) is a collaboration between Acorn Foundation, Bay Trust, Tauranga City Council, TECT, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
The fund aims to streamline the application process for community events taking place in the region that enrich our communities through active participation and inclusion. Instead of applying to multiple funders to meet their funding requirement, community event organisers can now apply to a single joint fund.
Five events securing funding are in the Western Bay of Plenty District. They are:
- Anzac Bay Summer Kick Off, Waihī Beach: $4269
- Festival of Cultures, Katikati: $12,000
- Fiji Independence Day: $10,000
- Katikati Community Christmas Meal: $4000
- Matakana Island, Opureora Marae, Rangatahi Creative Art & Design Event: $10,000
The Matakana Island, Opureora Marae, Rangatahi Creative Art & Design Event brings the marae and hapū together on Matakana Island to create flag designs with rangatahi and whānau for four marae.
Tracey Tawhiao, from the Opureora Marae Committee, says funding received through the TWBCEF means this event can go ahead without significant costs to the artists being shown.
“It’s a real highlight to come together under a common goal that requires our creativity. It’s also an awesome opportunity to hear stories from kaumātua to help with the designs.
“Creativity is a healing tool and while design and creativity at the marae may seem very simple, the multi-dimensional relationships we have with each other hapū to hapū and the importance of our whakapapa, gets to shine through in the art we create.”
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Community and Strategic Relationships Manager Jodie Rickard says the fund has been well received across the rohe so far.
“It’s so exciting to have had such a positive reception to this fund, and to be able to support some amazing community events in the process.
“It has been a difficult few years for the events industry, so we’re excited to help bring our Western Bay whānau and others together to celebrate, to make new memories, and to have some fun too.”
Another event that received funding is an inaugural event at Waihī Beach, the Anzac Bay Summer Kick Off Festival, taking place on November 19.
Waihī Beach Community Events & Promotion Manager Vicki Lambert says the free family event has live music, food trucks, and workshops on offer in a significant location.
“The collaboration between Waihī Beach Events and Promotions and Te Whānau ā Tauwhao enables the community to come together in a beautiful spot here at Waipaopao, to learn more of the history and celebrate the start of the summer season.
“We are also working with environmental teams to ensure this is a low-waste event as part of our commitment towards low or zero-waste operations.”
Twenty-six community events planned for Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty this year, and 2023, secured funding.
A total of $700,000 is available in the fund. The maximum an event in the Western Bay of Plenty can receive is $15,000.
Applications are considered on a bi-monthly basis, event organisers are encouraged to submit their applications at least four months in advance. The next funding round is open until Sunday, 20 November, with funding decisions released on Tuesday, 20 December 2022.
For more information and to apply for funding in the Western Bay rohe go here.
