Seventeen regional community events and 15 arts and culture initiatives have received backing to go ahead, with Auckland Council funding.
The 32 grants, approved by the Community Committee, will enable theatre and dance performances, workshops and cultural celebrations to shine a spotlight on talent within our region and cater for audiences of all ages.
Community Committee chair, Councillor Julie Fairey, says grants that strengthen Auckland's creative sector also deliver valuable outcomes for communities.
"All of the wonderful diverse experiences supported by these grants play an important part in making Tāmaki Makaurau a more vibrant and inclusive place to live,” she says.
“These creative opportunities enable the event organisers, artists and creatives behind each concept to deliver excitement, reflection and connection for Aucklanders. These grants allow the council to make an important investment in our communities, supporting activities that cannot be delivered by the council alone.”
Fifteen grants will be allocated funding from the Regional Arts and Culture Grant Programme in the first round this financial year, receiving a total of $193,663.
They include a week-long rock school for teenage girls: To the Front Tāmaki Makaurau, a new Nightsong theatre production called The Burning House, and a four-day celebration of printmaking: the Printopia Festival of Original Print.
Another 17 organisations will receive a share of $380,500 allocated in round one of the Regional Community Events Fund. They include calendar highlights like ASB Polyfest, Takapuna Winter Lights, Auckland International Buskers Festival and Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.
General Manager Community Wellbeing Kenneth Aiolupotea says applicants for the current round of funding were assessed on their ability to bring people together, strengthen communities and uplift Aucklanders, in line with funding criteria and council objectives.
"We know that grant funding enables the local knowledge, expertise of organisers and their wider community networks to create and deliver programmes that generate fantastic outcomes for Aucklanders to participate in and enjoy,” he says.
While a review of the council’s community grants policy is currently under way, the existing framework for both local and regional grants still applies.
Cr Fairey says the review will ensure that investment continues to make a difference to Auckland’s communities.
“I encourage anyone involved in or interested in delivering community outcomes to take part in the review, to ensure the processes we use are as effective and efficient as possible. For example, we know that the cost of delivering events has increased significantly over the past 10 years. You can help us understand what that means for your community and how we can best take that into account,” she says.
More funding will become available in round two later this financial year for both the regional arts and culture, and regional community events grant programmes, bringing the total annual allocation to $1.4 million for arts and culture and $600,000 for regional events.
Applications are currently open for the next arts and culture funding round, closing on 24 January 2027. Regional community event applications will open on 19 October 2026, closing on 24 January 2027.
Read the full list of regional arts and culture grants allocated, and regional community events funded.