Māori communities Covid-19 fund
Funding for groups whose work increases vaccination rates and builds resilient communities
The Māori communities Covid-19 fund is distributing $120m directly to iwi, Māori, and community groups.
Phased funding
The fund is distributing money in two phases. In phase 1, it is distributing $60 million to groups providing vaccination services to whānau. In phase 2, it will fund groups working to build resilience to Covid-19 in their communities.
Increase vaccination rates
The phase 1 funding enables groups to do work regionally and locally that assists and encourages whānau to use vaccination services. This funding is for work that runs alongside existing vaccination programmes and increases vaccination rates. The fund gives priority to work in places where Māori vaccination rates are low.
Build resilient communities
The phase 2 funding will enable groups to build resilient communities by providing information and resources about the traffic light system, and leading local and collaborative approaches to minimising the effects of Covid-19.
Funded work
Your group can ask for phase 1 funding to increase vaccination rates by, for example:
- training community members to become vaccinators
- facilitating mobile vaccination services
- holding vaccination events
- developing bespoke communications material including community spokespersons, particularly for taiohi and pakeke (20 to 34-year-olds)
- working to encourage and facilitate vaccinations
- running vaccine referral management centres
- organising vaccination logistics
- offering vaccination incentives like spot prizes
Funding may assist your group increase vaccination rates with communications and outreach work like:
- developing bespoke communications material
- social media campaigns
- website updates
- wellbeing calls and community outreach around your community, particularly to taiohi and pakeke (20 to 34-year-olds) and the vulnerable
- establishing or maintaining 0800 phone numbers
- developing promotional materials
How to get funding
You can get funding for phase 1 activities from 26 October to the end of the year.
You can get funding through:
- Te Arawhiti
- Te Puni Kōkiri
- Ministry of Health
Ask for funding through your preferred agency or department. There is no wrong door when seeking this funding.
To ask for funding through Te Arawhiti, email our team
Ministerial oversight of fund
A ministerial oversight group oversees the fund.
The group is made up of the:
- Minister of Finance
- Minister for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti
- Minita mō Whānau Ora, Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health)
- Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Ministers want funds to be distributed as quickly as possible.