• Increased wellbeing and resilience.
• Access to information and services.
• Reduce isolation.
• Foster cultural connection, tolerance and inclusion.

All funding decisions are made in good faith and guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including partnership, equity, and active protection.

• Connected, engaged and inclusive communities, which encourage participation and resilience.
• Collaborative, responsive, locally-focused organisations that meet community needs and are responding to the increase in the cost of living.
• Kaimahi, workers, and volunteers in community organisations are well supported, including with capability building and community development.
• Physical and mental health and wellbeing are strengthened, particularly for rangatahi/youth and the aged community.
• Vulnerable or disadvantaged whānau are supported and empowered to access the services and activities they need, especially ethnic and migrant communities.

Taha Tinana & Taha Hinengaro – Physical  and mental wellbeing.

• Support accessible projects that reduce rural isolation.
• Strengthen wellbeing for youth, volunteers, and the vulnerable.

Taha Wairua – Belonging & Connection.

• Enable connection and collaboration through moving, doing, sharing, and teaching.
• Build belonging for youth, volunteers, and isolated communities.

Taha Whānau - Family, Community & Volunteers 

• Support community‑led initiatives responding to local needs.
• Strengthen volunteers, community connection, and support for the vulnerable.

• Improved rangatahi development, wellbeing, and belonging.
• Local community‑led services contributing to improved wellbeing, reduced rural isolation, improved safety, and enhanced social connection.
• Foster inclusion, connection, and belonging for culturally diverse communities.
• Strengthened volunteer capability in community organisations to support sustainable service delivery.

• Community hauora/ ioranga is strengthened.
• All rangatahi/ rangatehi are supported to participate positively in the community.
• Recognising and valuing volunteers and whanau/ hūnau who support community activities, to improve connection and reduce isolation
• Rēkohu, Wharekauri, Chatham Islands way of life is respected and valued.

• Accessible and affordable local services and activities that empower communities and increases independence and resilience.
• Support for local community hubs that provides connected services and empowers communities.
• Volunteers are empowered through responsive and impactful activities.

• Kaupapa Māori initiatives
• Rōpū fostering community wellbeing.
• Initiatives that enable tamariki/rakatahi to participate positively in our community

We will give lower priority to:

• Rōpū with a limited local footprint or a large national footprint
• Groups with access to significant other sources of funding or income
• Sports organisations (unless they align closely with our priorities).

• People, groups and whānau in our communities can access services and activities that meet their needs.
• Community organisations are resourced and highly visible, with well trained staff and volunteers.
• Support will be given to local grassroots organisations with a clear Far North footprint who are effectively providing services to their communities.
• Far North community organisations promote oranga/wellbeing and resilience, to ensure whānau have access to holistic practices and services for their mental, physical, cultural and social wellbeing.
• The wellbeing and aspirations of Marae, Whānau, and Hapu are supported and valued.

• Local people, particularly those who are vulnerable, lonely or isolated, are able to access services and activities on island that meet their needs.
• Volunteers and community organisation staff are valued, resourced and upskilled.
• Local community organisations are well resourced and highly visible.

• Strengthening tāngata (people), whānau (families), and whenua (land) through strategic, inclusive engagement, and by investing in locally led, grassroots initiatives that build sustainable, resilient, and thriving communities.

• Higher priority will be given to grassroots organisations that demonstrate a clear local footprint.
• Support whānau (pepe to kaumatua) and community with mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being in the Hutt Valley community.
• Building confidence to empower people to create better futures for themselves and their whānau.
  Support community involvement and positive connections between individuals and groups in the region.
• Promote cultural identity and equity in the Hutt Valley community.
• Lower priority will be given to groups who don't have a greater impact within the Hutt Valley community.

• Increased independence.
• Improved quality of health and well-being.
• Improved access to appropriate services.
• Improved and better informed and educated communities.
• Improved opportunities for networking and working collaboratively.

• Community organisations building resilient, inclusive and thriving communities that demonstrate connection, collaboration and fosters belonging with clear local outcomes.

• Communities are empowered to build their resilience and effectively manage their circumstances.
• Families, children, youth, older persons and people with disabilities are engaged in their community and have sustained support and resources.
• Māori, Pasifika and ethnic community aspirations are enhanced and supported.
• Communities have access to culture, heritage and arts activities that enhance wellbeing, identity and social cohesion.
• High priority will be given to grassroots and volunteer organisations who demonstrate active collaboration and clear local impact.
• Lower priority will be given to:
  • Requests where there is perceived duplication.
    
  • Requests from organisations that currently receive government funding and are unable to show community need and benefit over and above their contracts.
    
  • Request from sporting organisations, unless they can clearly demonstrate they align with the above priorities.
    

• People, particularly those who are vulnerable, lonely, isolated or living in poverty can access local services and activities that meet their well-being needs.
• Migrants and newcomers are well supported and integrated into the community.
  People with disabilities are empowered and well supported by accessible local services.
• Senior citizens are supported, engaged, empowered and actively participate in community activities.
• Youth and children are valued and mentored towards positive community engagement, innovation, resilience and cultural heritage.
• Māori and Pasifika aspirations are enhanced and supported.
• Emergency response relief, recovery and sustainability efforts are supported.

Marlborough

• Actively encouraging participation and wellbeing in communities.
• Promoting community leadership and resilience.
• Promoting social, economic and cultural equity with regards, but not limited to, Māori, women, Pacific communities, other ethnic communities, older people, the rurally isolated, people with disabilities, families, youth, children, and unemployed people.
• Responding to locally identified community needs and priorities. Working directly in the Marlborough region, with a local footprint.

• Tuakiri where culture, heritage and identity initiatives are supported and enhanced.
• Ringa hāpai where community organisation staff and volunteers are recognised and valued.
• Whanaungatanga where rural and urban communities are connected and engaged.
• Whānau where children, young people, their parents and families are supported to improve their well-being and reach their potential.
• Kotahitanga where diverse communities are celebrated, validated and supported.

• Collaborative, responsive, local organisations that meet our diverse community needs.
• Organisations that honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Organisations that focus on developing local capability and resilience.
• Local initiatives that build hauora including by connecting people, reducing isolation, building social cohesion, supporting volunteers and empowering communities.
• Lower priority will be given to:
  • Requests where there is a duplication of service with no collaboration or justification.
  • Requests from sporting, arts and health-focused organisations, unless they can clearly demonstrate they align with the above priorities.
  • Organisations that don't have a local footprint or delivery of services in the Nelson Bays community.

• The skills, knowledge and abilities of our communities are developed and strengthened to address everyday challenges and build resilience.
• Health and Wellbeing of whanau and communities is inclusive, strengthened and supported.
• Environmental care, education and conservation are promoted.
• Volunteers are supported to build their capability and capacity, and their contributions are recognised and valued.
• Priority is given to groups that have a strong local presence, with less focus on national organisations that have limited local impact.

• Our diverse communities are connected, strengthened, safer and have reduced crime.
• Children, young people, their parents, grandparents and families are reaching their potential and building their resilience.
• Local support and well-being services are available for physical, chronic and mental health, including addictions and suicide prevention.
• People experiencing challenges, poverty and isolation are well supported and have access to development opportunities.
• Inequalities for Māori, Pasifika and other ethnic communities are addressed.
• Empower the voices of people with disabilities or services which strengthen the effectiveness and the well-being of the community.
• Local volunteers are valued, supported, recognised and resourced.

• Communities are strengthened, safer, more integrated, less isolated and vulnerable, more people are accessing services and activities to meet their needs.
• Well-being for all people is being achieved and people are engaged, connected and encouraged to participate in their communities to foster a sense of belonging.
• Volunteers are valued, well trained, supported, resourced and proactively encouraged.
• Whānau Ora and/or Kaupapa Māori services are well resourced and supported.
• Vulnerable people are empowered and well supported by inclusive services that validate cultural, physical, emotional and intellectual needs.

• Kotahitanga: Priority is given to initiatives that demonstrate inclusive, collaborative approaches and deliver strong collective impact for communities.
• Whakapiki Pūkenga: Volunteers and community workers have opportunities to be well trained and supported to enable the sustainability and quality of services.
• Oranga Angitu: People facing housing-related challenges are supported through coordinated services to improve wellbeing, housing stability, and positive life outcomes.
• Whānau: Families experience increased well-being through services and activities which respond to their needs and aspirations.
• Whanaungatanga: People are connected to their communities through support and services that address isolation. For example: location, disability, age, diversity, or digital access.
• Lower priority will be given to organisations that don't have a physical presence/local footprint in the Rotorua community.

• Strengthen community health and wellbeing by improving social connections and increasing access to services, activities, and events.
• Recruit, support, value, and resource volunteers to enhance community participation and capability.
• Support and advance te ao Māori and Māori aspirations across our rohe
• Reduce social and geographic isolation by supporting local initiatives that address transport barriers and increase community participation
• Improve access to services, programmes, and activities for vulnerable groups, including youth, older people, people living with disabilities, hapū, iwi, Pasifika, and ethnic communities
• Strengthen locally led responses to adverse events by building community resilience and capability and supporting access to resources

• Volunteers are acknowledged and supported to build their capability to lead.
• Our vulnerable and isolated communities are supported in their emergency preparedness.
• Community organisations and facilities are accessible, supported and encouraged to respond to local needs.
• Te āo Māori is strengthened and promoted in our rohe.
• Our tamariki/children and taiohi/youth are supported to reach their potential.

• Elderly people have access to the services they need and feel safer, supported and valued.
• Volunteers are recognised, resourced and valued.
• Social and rural isolation is addressed effectively.
• Organisations' volunteers and staff are valued, resourced and well-trained.
• Families/whānau, youth and children have access to the services they need and feel safer, supported and valued.

Reducing Inequity

• Kai, Basic Needs and Essential Resources
  People and whānau have reliable access to kai, essential items and basic needs, reducing hardship and strengthening everyday wellbeing.
• Financial Wellbeing
  Individuals and whānau have improved financial stability through increased access to support, resources and knowledge that reduce financial stress.
• Provision of Support Services
  People and whānau are supported to access safe, community-based services that strengthen wellbeing, reduce harm, and promote long-term stability for themselves and their communities.

Whānau, Tamariki and Family Wellbeing

• Rangatahi are supported to thrive through safe spaces, positive relationships and opportunities that strengthen identity, confidence and intergenerational connection.
• Whānau and tamariki are supported to build strong, healthy relationships, improve wellbeing and stay connected to positive community networks.

Older People and Vulnerable Communities

• Older people and vulnerable community members are connected, supported and able to participate safely and confidently in their communities.

Community Strengthening, Cohesion and Connection

• Communities are empowered to work together, build strong relationships and create inclusive, connected environments where everyone feels they belong.
• People and communities are supported to express cultural identity, build capability, and participate in inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and belonging.
• Volunteers are supported and well-resourced to support their communities.

• Priority is given to activities that respond to identified local needs within the Tongariro rohe.
• People are supported to learn, lead, and share practical life skills that strengthen wellbeing and participation.
• People, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances, are supported to be safe, included, and valued.
• Barriers to participation caused by rural location, isolation, transport, or digital access are reduced.
• Collaboration strengthens responses to local needs and aspirations.
• Volunteers are valued and supported in ways that sustain community capacity.

• Communities are strengthened to support connection, inclusion and well-being and benefiting from grassroots collaborative, accessible community initiatives.
• Community organisations, groups and volunteers are supported, valued and resourced to remain sustainable and to grow their potential.

• Community organisations with a clear local footprint who are working collaboratively, valuing volunteers and delivering accessible services and activities.
• Empowering community well-being through building strong whānau/families and resilient communities with a focus on social connectedness and social inclusion.

• Organisations that promote community resilience
• Youth and tamariki focussed
• Promoting access to local, equitable & affordable services
• Mental health and wellbeing / Hauora
• Increasing Social Connection
• It is expected that organisations applying for Wairarapa COGS funding have a strong physical presence in our community, and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Lower priority will be given to:
  • Large, well-resourced organisations (who may, for example, hold large government contracts).

• People have access to programmes and services to support their well-being.
• Our communities are strengthened and safer, resilient, less isolated and less vulnerable.
• Volunteers and community organization staff are valued, well trained and resourced for a sustainable future.
• Inequities are addressed, which strengthen the effectiveness and well-being of the community.

Services and activities which:

• Enable communities to thrive during challenges and sustain that wellbeing over time
  
• Demonstrate how they will make a meaningful difference for the communities of Wellington City
  
• Provide evidence of a clear local footprint in Wellington City
  

The committee particularly welcomes applications from organisations that support the aspirations of tangata whenua, tangata moana (Pasifika), tangata whaikaha (disabled people), and rangatahi (young people).

Lower priority will be given to applications from organisations that have large funders or contract income and are unable to demonstrate local community need over and above these.

• Reduce social isolation.
• Children, youth and our most vulnerable people are supported.
• Increased well-being, inclusion and resilience.
• Te āo Māori is strengthened and promoted in our rohe.

• Community-led initiatives, in response to a community need or aspirations, are resourced and strengthened.
• Local communities are connected, resilient, vibrant and thriving.
• People have equitable opportunities to participate in community life.
• Community volunteers are recognised, supported and valued.
• Priority will be given to locally based organisations and or services delivered in our region.

• The well-being and aspirations of tangata whenua are supported and valued.
• Older people and those with disabilities are connected, involved in the community and have access to the services they need.
• Families, children, and young people can access services increasing their physical and mental well-being and ability to build better futures.
• All communities are empowered to celebrate their ethnicity and diversity, fostering community well-being, resilience, and inclusiveness.
• Community needs are met by organisations with a clear local footprint who are building community resilience, especially in rural areas, assisting with access to community services.
• Volunteers and community organisation staff are valued, resourced and well trained.

• Organisations that demonstrate the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Organisations with limited access to government contracts or funding.
• Organisations that support, children, young people, families and over-65s to access local services.
• Organisations that support people to access disability, mental health, addictions and suicide prevention local services.
• Organisations that respond to emerging issues such as people experiencing challenges with housing, poverty and isolation.
• Organisations that promote cultural identity and equity for Maori, Pasifika and ethnic communities. Local volunteers and staff are well trained, valued, and well-resourced to support their community.
• Lower priority will be given to:
  • Organisations that are not delivering accessible direct services in the Whitireia region.
  • Large organisations who have access to significant government contracts or funding.