Grants & Funding

The Gore District Council looks after six funding schemes. They are

Creative Communities NZ Scheme,
Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund,
Rural Halls and Domain Scheme,
Pioneer Women's Memorial Trust Scholarships
the Coster Fund, and
the Special Rural Fund.

We also offer two education scholarships each year.

Gore District Council Tertiary Education Scholarships

Each year the Council offers two tertiary education scholarships, valued at $750 each. The scholarships are an initiative of the Gore District Youth Council and have been set up for young people from the Gore District who are commencing tertiary study.

Their studies may be in a council relevant area and there is the opportunity for up to 10 weeks paid work experience with the Council during holiday breaks.

The scholarships will be available to young people who

are dedicated to studying,
have a clear vision of the goals they want to achieve, and
a passion for making a difference.

The scholarships are open to school leavers who live in the Gore District and are aged 19 years or under. They must be going on to study at a tertiary level.

2016 recipients: Adam Hillis and Samantha Keighley

2015 recipients: Erika Burdon and Hamish Watson

Creative Communities NZ Scheme

This scheme provides financial assistance for arts and cultural activities within the Gore District that primarily provide benefits within the Council’s catchment. To be eligible projects should increase participation or the range and diversity of cultural activity within the community. Applications are called for twice a year, usually around February and August.

Creative Communities NZ January 2017 application form [PDF, 839 KB]

Creative Communities NZ scheme application guide [PDF, 215 KB]

Creative Communities NZ scheme criteria brochure [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund

This fund is designed to subsidise travel for junior teams taking part in local sport competitions. It is open to rural sports clubs and school teams in the Gore District. Those taking part in the sports must be aged between five years and 19 years. The fund is for travel to local sports competition out of school time, and not regional or national events. Applications are called for twice a year, usually around February and August.

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund winter 2017 application form [PDF, 472 KB]

Pioneer Women's Memorial Trust Scholarships

We look after these scholarships for the Trust. Each year the Trust offers two educational bursaries to students who are contemplating tertiary education or a trade apprenticeship. They are available to present pupils of Gore High School, St Peter's College, Blue Mountain College and Menzies College.

2016 recipients: Keely McGuigan and Katrina Smith

2015 recipients: Nicole Kennedy and Emerson McGregor

Restroom Saga [PDF, 989 KB]

Rural Halls and Domains Grant Scheme

For many rural communities their hall and domain are a focal point, a venue for events that bind and strengthen the community. The Council has funding available via its Rural Halls and Domains Grant Scheme to help with any capital projects and significant work associated with ensuring the long-term future of these important facilities. Everyday running costs are not eligible for the scheme. Applications are called for around May.

Coster Fund

2016 applications for this fund are now open until Friday 15 December.

Criteria and application form [PDF, 457 KB]

This fund was created from a bequest by a Mataura resident Claude Coster. Under the funding guidelines the money has to be spent in Mataura on projects that will benefit its people. Only not-for-profit organisations can apply and the maximum grant available is for 50 per cent of a project's total cost. Applications for funding will be publicly notified.

Special Rural Fund

This fund was established from money paid to the Council by the Southland District Council as a result of local government amalgamation in 1989. It was used for grants and loans, as well as subsidising rural rates, for a number of years before being set aside to rebuild. There are no plans in the foreseeable future to resume dispensing money from this fund.

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