The Rangatahi-Led Fund is a new fund from Otago Community Trust supporting rangatahi-led projects across Otago. Four groups of rangatahi have been established across Otago, each taking the lead on the fund for their area.
Up to $100,000 is available under the fund, with the North Otago, South Otago, Dunedin and Central Otago groups all having up to $25,000 to fund rangatahi-led projects in their area.
We are so proud to share with you the rangatahi-led projects that have been funded in each area of Otago and over time we will be able to share with you what each of these awesome projects has achieved.
In total, 11 youth-led initiatives were supported in Ōtepoti/Dunedin receiving grants totalling $25,000.
The funded initiatives include:
Samoan Students Association, So'otaga (Making Connections) - $1,000
The aim of the Samoan Students Association is to create a 'home-away-from-home' for all students here in Otago. So'otaga translates to 'making connections' - is a student-led (university) conference for all universities in New Zealand, creating a safe space for the groups to showcase their talents, knowledge, skills and cultural values and traditions of Samoa over 3 to 4 days. Find them on Facebook here.
The Early Risers Crew - $500
This project centres on the group's motto of 'Connect, Swim, Enjoy' - a sunrise swimming club with a focus on connection. Once every week on Thursday, they get together for a sea swim, first going over introductions and doing an activation to get to know one another and get the conversation rolling between people you might otherwise never meet. Find them on Instagram here.
EPro8 Club Green Island School - $2,000
Starting a EPro8 club at Green Island School to encourage creativeness in engineering.
Fred is Cold - AXIOM Theatre Collective - $3,500
A production of Fred is Cold, a contemporary play by kiwi playwright Ben Wilson. Auditions were held in August, with show dates to be announced. Check out the AXIOM Facebook page for more updates.
Indian Students Association Cultural Showcase - $2,000
Showcasing and celebrating the traditions, customs and dances of Indian origin. This year they aim to bring the popular tv show Friends to life at the University of Otago with their own personal spin highlighting some everyday struggles of student life. Check out their Facebook page here.
Lalanga Initiative (To Weave) - $3,500
The youth group for the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Dunedin meet every fortnight to support each other. The idea behind this project is that there are various fun activities throughout the year for youth, to promote learning about the language and culture through practising song, dance and skits. It is also to promote personal wellbeing through sports days and kava clubs that promote youth talking with each other about their stresses, everyday experiences and how to cope.
Mahi Toi-Purakau Through Art - $500
Based at Abbotsford Primary School, this project is about purakau, or inherited ancestral narratives. The main intention is to connect tamariki Māori to their pepeha by learning the stories about their tipuna, working with tamariki Māori who prefer using mahi toi, or art, as a method of knowledge retention.
Otago Student Volunteer Army x Save The Otago Peninsula (STOP) - $1,000
A tree planting event, in conjunction with Save the Otago Peninsula, that runs from 10am-3pm on Saturday 22nd June, with included transport, lunch, hot drinks and snacks. Student Volunteer Army Otago is a volunteering club that aims to enfranchise University and Polytechnic students in a range of service activities. Find their Facebook page here.
Pacific Sports Day, Pacific Trust Otago Youth - $2,500
This project is to help Pacific youth in Dunedin build a network and strengthen the relationships between different Pacific groups. Sports are a way of promoting health and an active lifestyle - experts in selected sports will teach drills and skills to youth which will culiminated in a tournament.
Toi Tiriti 275, Brockville Pavement Krew - $5,000
Creating a street art mural on the Brockville Community Connect Hub wall at 275 Brockville Road.
Te Runga Faiva - $3,500
A one night event to raise awareness on particular issues in the pacific community, while donating proceedings to organisations that aim to combat these issues prevalent in the pacific community. While it is a call for student-led activism, as the title entails, it is a huge gathering of cultural groups to perform to the public. Otago Tongan Students Association Facebook & Otago Kiribati Islands Students Association Facebook.
In total, 6 youth-led initiatives were supported in North Otago, receiving grants totalling $21,329.
The funded initiatives include:
Giant Chair Build in Orana Park, Oamaru - $4,179
A fun project as part of Youth Week 2024 to build and paint a giant chair.
Men are Made not Born (East Otago High School) - $4,500
This project is to launch a group designed to curate young tāne leaders within the school by running personal development sessions with a selected group.
Papakaio School Enviro Group, Edible Garden - $1,300
To employ someone to come in for 2-3 hours a week to take small groups to learn how to garden properly in the school's edible gardens. A year round position that allows them to learn what vegetables grow in different seasons.
Waananga ki Te Kapo - $5,000
An event connecting tamariki to see other marae. Experiencing Māori culture by taking part in Māori navigation of the stars, patu, kapa haka and getting to experience a pōwhiri by another Marae outside of Oamaru as well as sleeping in one and seeing how a marae works.
Waitaki Boys Running 72 - $1,350
Running 72 is a charity run to raise awareness for men’s mental health and raise money for the charity.
WBHS & WGHS combined Kapa Haka Group - $5,000
A performance for our schools community for Matariki as well as a whole community event at Kahui Ako Festival at the Opera House.
In total, 3 youth-led initiatives were supported in South Otago, receiving grants totalling $14,035.
The funded initiatives include:
Māori Language Week Festival (South Otago High School) - $7,500
On the 21st September, a festival of food, performance and rides will happen throughout the day to celebrate Māori Language Week. Schools from the region and the public will be invited to this with Māori-guided games and food in addition to Kapa Haka performances.
Pūrākau Through Murals (Romahapa School) - $2,500
To help revitalise the school grounds, strengthening the school's identity and connection with the surrounding area and mana whenua through visual art in the form of murals.
Youth Psychological First Aiders (Tokomairiro High School) - $4,035
Running a Psychological First Aid Course for youth in the Community aged 16 and over. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a ‘best practice’ approach to providing initial emotional and practical support to someone who has experienced a traumatic event
In total, 3 youth-led initiatives were supported in Central Otago, receiving grants totalling $8,078.
The funded initiatives include:
Bike Repair Station (Alexandra Primary School) - $1,140
Having a bike repair station available in Alexandra Primary School so kids can fix their bikes as well as providing rangatahi the opportunity show other students how to use the tools.
Garden Shed (Dustan High School) - $1,938
The Dunstan Sustainability committee is s group of 6 15-17yr olds run out of Dunstan High School. Since building the school vegetable, a garden shed was required to put the donated tools and wheelbarrow into.
Advocate Network, Sticks 'n' Stones Inc - $5,000
To launch an interactive, responsive, co-designed online platform for young people in Central Otago and wider Otago in March 2025.