NZAS Fund Awards $367k in Round Four
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Nearly $370,000 is heading into Southland communities after the first round of 2026 grants from the NZAS and Ngāi Tahu Community Development Fund was announced this week.
Ten projects share $367,000 in the fourth annual round of the $500,000 fund, which is administered jointly by Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) and Murihiku Rūnaka. The fund was established following a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Murihiku Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Rio Tinto and NZAS in October 2022.
The grants cover a spread of community needs — maritime safety, sports facility upgrades, driver licensing, early childhood education, food rescue, heritage storage and youth cultural events.
Bluff Coastguard gets a fully funded electronic navigational system for rescue missions. The volunteer crew completed 36 rescue missions last year on Foveaux Strait. The new system was considered high need.
ILT Stadium Southland's community courts will get a full LED lighting upgrade, also entirely funded through the grant. Better safety, accessibility and long-term running costs are the stated goals.
Southern REAP's DriveMyLife programme, which helps vulnerable families in Southland gain their driver's licence, is another recipient — the referral-based programme is designed to open up pathways to work and education. And for the region's youngest learners, the Southland Kindergarten Association is building a mobile play trailer, Te Waka Tākaro, to bring play-based learning resources to communities across the region.
NZAS General Manager Michelle Henderson, six months into the role, said the fund reflected something real about the smelter's place in the region. "Six months into my role at Tiwai it's very clear to me what the CDF symbolises about the smelter's partnerships and our role supporting the communities we have been part of for well over half a century," Henderson said. "I'm delighted at the support the Fund is offering in areas that really matter to local organisations."
Te Rūnaka o Awarua representative Jacqui Caine said the quality of applications again stood out. "We're delighted the Community Development Fund can support so many worthwhile and influential projects, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the MOUs signed four years ago. Once again, we were impressed by the quality of the applications received, and proud to support a diverse range of projects delivering long-term, positive benefits for manawhenua and the wider Southland community," Caine said.
A second tranche of funding will be announced in coming weeks as remaining agreements are finalised.
The full list of recipients: Bluff Coastguard, Gore Heritage District Council (Department of Arts and Heritage), Hokonui Rūnanga Inc, Kiwi Harvest Limited, Māruawai College, Southern REAP Charitable Trust, Southland Free Kindergarten Association, Stadium Southland Ltd, Te Oho Mana Charitable Trust, and Woodlands Full Primary School.