Ki Te Ara WhakamuaMāori AOD Community Action Fund – Round 5
OPENS 17 AUGUST
Ki te Ara Whakamua is a one-off contestable fund established to support Māori-led solutions to reduce alcohol and other drug harm. The overall vision for the fund is Kia tika te wā; kia tika te wāhi, kia tika te tangata; kia ora te whānau – that whānau will thrive and flourish, with the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
Funding Type | Criteria | Eligibility | Funding Limit |
Whānau-led Initiatives. | A whānau or hapū roopu with a bank account linked to the lead applicant or group. | Bank Account verification of account name. | Up to $10,000 per application |
Community-led Initiatives | A Māori community organisation that is either (1) a legal entity or (2) registered with the NZ Charities Commission. | A registered New Zealand Business or a registered charity with the NZ Charities Commission. | Up to $25,000 per application |
Please note groups may only apply to one of the funding streams.
The period of both funding streams is for 7 months (from October 2026 until May 2027). Funding will be paid in two instalments, the first payment (75%) at the beginning of the initiative and the second payment (25%) upon receipt of the final report.
An external panel will assess all completed applications that are submitted no later than 5pm, 18 September 2025.
Download the Full Guidelines Document
Contracting of successful initiatives will begin in October 2026.
Te Rau Ora reserve the right to withdraw an offer of funding if contracting is not completed within one month from the start date.
Applications are to be submitted through the Te Rau Ora funding portal. To access the funding portal visit: terauora.app.tahua.io.
If you need assistance with your application, please use this help guide or contact aodfund@terauora.com
| Application to Fund Opens | 17 August 2026 |
| Application to Fund Closes | 18 September 2026 |
| External Assessment | Completed by early October 2026 |
| Notifications of outcome | Late October 2026 |
To view past recipients of Ki te Ara Whakamua Māori Community Action Fund, click here.
Mason Durie Pae Ora Scholarship(Now Closed)
The Mason Durie Pae Ora Scholarship was created to support Māori students to study in the areas of mental health, addiction, and allied health.
The Scholarship acknowledges and recognises the significant leadership and contributions that Mason Durie has given to Māori health, Māori development, indigeneity, and Māori futures over many years and reflects his belief that leadership is a shared enterprise rather than a dependence on one person alone and that, by working together, communities can develop and enact plans based on their own aspirations of pae ora.
This prestigious scholarship is valued at up to $20,000 and is open to tauira Māori who are current or aspiring leaders, committed to advancing hauora Māori and the wellbeing of hapori Māori.
Applications close 5pm, 30 November.
This award can also be found within the Tohu Hiranga Awards.
Please read the funding guidelines, which contain information about eligibility, selection processes, tenure, and other requirements.
To apply for the Mason Durie Pae Ora Scholarship, please submit your application form and any relevant supporting documents to scholarships@terauora.com.
If you have any pātai, please contact scholarships@terauora.com.
The completed application form and supporting documents must be received no later than 5pm, 30 November 2025.
Māreikura Scholarship (Now Closed)
The Māreikura Scholarship acknowledges and recognises the many kuia who have stood firmly behind the kaupapa of Mana Enhancing STOP whānau in Rotorua. These wāhine have been true pou in the community, embodying compassion and unwavering dedication to supporting whānau through recovery.
This scholarship was established to honour these kuia who have provided a foundation to support our whānau through Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) challenges, and to carry their legacy forward by supporting Māori with lived experience of AOD challenges who are pursuing further education.
Purpose
The purpose of the Māreikura Scholarship is to:
- Uplift Māori with lived experience with AOD to achieve their educational and personal aspirations.
- Encourage study pathways that contribute to recovery, wellbeing, and the strengthening of whānau and communities.
- Support the development of a skilled, compassionate Māori workforce grounded in kaupapa Māori approaches to healing and recovery.
Alignment with Mana Enhancing STOP’s Vision
This scholarship aligns with Mana Enhancing STOP Trust’s vision:
“To create a thriving, drug-free community where individuals and whānau are empowered to reclaim their lives through kaupapa Māori-based recovery support.”
By supporting Māori learners who are walking their own recovery journeys, the scholarship nurtures future leaders who will help build thriving, drug-free communities. It recognises that lived experience, when supported and valued, can become a powerful force for change.
The scholarship is valued at up to $5,000.
This award can also be found within the Tohu Hiranga Awards.
Please read the funding guidelines, which contain information about eligibility, selection processes, tenure, and other requirements.
To apply for the Hinepare Scholarship, please submit your application form and any relevant supporting documents to scholarships@terauora.com.
If you have any pātai, please contact scholarships@terauora.com.
The completed application form and supporting documents must be received no later than 5pm, 12 December 2025.
Hoe Tahi Addiction Scholarship (Now Closed)
The Hoe Tahi Addiction Scholarships are designed for individuals pursuing studies that contribute to reducing alcohol and drug (AOD) harms. These scholarships aim to strengthen the existing and emerging workforce by enhancing the capacity and capability of those working with whānau who face AOD challenges. Applicants can apply for a scholarship of up to $5,000.
If you have any pātai or difficulties with the application process, please get in touch with scholarships@terauora.com
To be eligible for the Hoe Tahi Scholarships applicants must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be currently part of the AOD workforce and committed to ongoing professional development.
- Undertake studies that will enhance understanding and knowledge of working with people experiencing AOD harm.
- Be enrolled in a course provided by a recognised Aotearoa-based tertiary institution or training provider.
- Priority will be given to applicants of Māori descent.
- Priority will be given to applicants of Māori descent.
- The person studying must apply individually.
- Employers or their funding coordinators cannot apply on behalf of their employees.
- Applicants may only receive one Te Rau Ora scholarship in each funding round (either the Hoe Tahi Scholarship or the Māori Health Leadership Scholarship).
- The purpose of the scholarship is to minimize the financial burden of study and is encouraged to be used toward essential study costs e.g. course fees.
- Notifications will be sent to the email address registered in Tahua (our scholarship system).
- Late, incomplete, or unsubmitted applications will not be accepted. Ensure you submit your online application before the closing date.
Applications are to be submitted through the Te Rau Ora funding portal. To access the funding portal visit: terauora.app.tahua.io.
| Scholarship Opens | 1 November 2025, 9am |
| Scholarships Close | 12 December 2025, 5pm |
| Assessment Panel Decision | Late January 2026 |
| Applicants Notified | Early February 2026 |
Confirmation and Agreement to be completed by March 2026
To view the previous recipients of Hoe Tahi, click here.
Māori Health Leadership Scholarship (Now Closed)
The aim of the Māori Health Leadership Scholarships is to increase and develop the Māori health workforce and to foster confidence in Te Ao Māori, Māori leadership, and excellence in health.
These scholarships are for Māori already working in the health sector and/or who have significant experience in the health sector and are interested in completing an undergraduate or postgraduate health qualification. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000 NZD.
If you have any pātai or difficulties with the application process, please get in touch with scholarships@terauora.com
To be eligible for the Māori Health Leadership Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be of Māori descent.
- Be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident.
- Be enrolled in a course provided by a recognised Aotearoa-based tertiary institution or training provider.
- A current leader in the health sector or potential leader aspiring to work in Māori health leadership roles across the health, mental health and/or the alcohol and drugs (AOD) sector.
This includes kaumātua and kuia, mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, recruitment of doctors into psychiatry or medical students who are committed to the mental health and AOD sector.
- Priority will be given to applicants of Māori descent.
- The person studying must apply individually.
- Employers or their funding coordinators cannot apply on behalf of their employees.
- Applicants may only receive one Te Rau Ora scholarship in each funding round (either the Hoe Tahi Scholarship or the Māori Health Leadership Scholarship).
- The purpose of the scholarship is to minimize the financial burden of study and is encouraged to be used toward essential study costs e.g. course fees.
- Notifications will be sent to the email address registered in Tahua (our scholarship system).
- Late, incomplete, or unsubmitted applications will not be accepted. Ensure you submit your online application before the closing date.
Applications are to be submitted through the Te Rau Ora funding portal. To access the funding portal visit: terauora.app.tahua.io.
| Scholarship Opens | 1 November 2025, 9am |
| Scholarships Close | 12 December 2025, 5pm |
| Assessment Panel Decision | Late January 2026 |
| Applicants Notified | Early February 2026 |
Confirmation and Agreement to be completed by March 2026
To view past recipients of Māori Health Leadership Scholarships, click here.
