Ki te Ara Whakamua: Māori Community Action Fund is a one-off contestable fund established to support Māori-led solution to reduce Alcohol and Drug Harm. The overall vision for the fund is Kia tika te wa; kia tika te wahi, kia tika te tangata; kia ora te whānau – that whanau will thrive and flourish, with the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

A key pressure on the health system is that over 50 percent of New Zealanders will experience mental distress and addiction challenges at some point in their lives. These challenges can not only affect an individual’s ability to care for themselves but can also cause considerable concern for their whanau and loved one.

Māori communities have demonstrated that when given the opportunity and resources to develop their own solutions, they can mobilise quickly, reach deep into their communities, and achieve results that matter. Their solutions help to reduce the risk and burden of disease while helping to achieve better and more equitable health and wellbeing outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Strategic Context

He Ara Oranga, Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, called for the transformation of New Zealand’s approach to mental health and addiction. The development of a resilient, diverse, skilled and sustainable workforce is crucial to delivering this vision.

Kia Manawanui Aotearoa, the long-term pathway to mental wellbeing, has priority action area to transform the mental health, addiction and mental wellbeing workforce to enable it to respond to people’s mental wellbeing needs and to intervene early.

Kia Manawanui recognises that Māori experience unfair and avoidable inequities in terms of mental wellbeing and intends that this long-term pathway will address equity through ‘for Māori, by Māori’ approaches.

In implementing this long-term pathway, the Government will strengthen Māori determination of services by and for Māori, and we will help iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to exercise their authority to improve their mental wellbeing.

In implementing this long-term pathway, the Government will strengthen Māori determination of services by and for Māori, and we will help iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to exercise their authority to improve their mental wellbeing.

Ki te Ara Whakamua: Māori Community Action Fund enables Māori-led solution to reduce Alcohol and Drug Harm.   The key objectives of the fund are to (1) support Maori-led solutions to reduce alcohol and other drug harm while (2) contributing to Te Aka Whai Ora’s Interim Oranga Whānau Outcomes Framework.

The Fund aligns to the three aspects of Pae Ora (Healthy Futures):  Wai Ora (healthy environments), Mauri Ora (healthy individuals) and Whānau Ora (healthy families). These are all interconnected to enable healthy futures and positive wellbeing outcomes for Māori, their whānau and future generations.

Mauri ora is about healthy individuals and ways of living. To enjoy good health and wellbeing, people need their culture affirmed, a sense of identity and autonomy, and the ability to make healthy choices. This includes the food and drinks we consume, how well we can engage in physical activity, and the impact of alcohol and other drugs on our lives.

Whānau ora is about healthy families and ensuring whānau are empowered to thrive, live healthy lifestyles and experience intergenerational wellbeing. This includes a sense of belonging and secure identity, access to good healthcare, housing, and education, and being able to confidently participate in society.

Wai ora is about healthy environments, the ability to engage and the quality of interactions we can have with our surrounding environment. This includes access to safe drinking water, clean air, quality housing, active transport options and being prepared for any emergencies. It also means that we must be good guardians of the land and natural resources.

To be eligible to apply for Funding a group must be either:

• A recognised whānau or hapū group with a registered bank account in the name of the whānau or hapū group.
• A local Māori-led community group or Māori-led provider is a legal entity or registered charity.

An external assessment panel will assess all completed applications submitted not later than Midday 5 June 2023.    All assessments will be completed by 30 June 2023.

Please note the fund close date differs from the guideline and has been extended to 12 June 2023.

Download the Full Guidelines Document

Contracting of successful initiatives will begin in July 2023.  Te Rau Ora reserve the right to withdraw offer of funding if contracting is not completed within three months from the start date.

Here is our timeline for Ki te Ara Whakamua: Māori Community Action Fund