$745,000 granted across 14 special projects in second Community Development Fund round

Source: NZAS. Click here to view.

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Limited (NZAS), Rio Tinto and Ngāi Tahu have awarded support to fourteen outstanding Murihiku Southland community, environment and business projects amounting to $745,000, it has announced.

The Community Development Fund, which is administered jointly by Rio Tinto, NZAS and Murihiku Rūnaka, meets a commitment made when Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS and Rio Tinto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2022. The MOU outlined an enduring partnership between mana whenua and the smelter, based on three key pillars – remediation, energy development and community investment.

This funding provides support for a further fourteen community projects in 2024 and represents the remaining balance of the original $2 million Murihiku Rūnaka and NZAS/Rio Tinto Community Development Fund launched in 2023.

Funding in this second round includes support for a broad range of projects. From arts and culture initiatives such as South Sea Spray Wāhine – a one-of-a-kind street art festival showcasing female artists throughout Southland – to community infrastructure such as funding Kiwi Harvest’s new delivery truck, and the refurbishment of Southland Help’s support centre.

Community and youth education and support services also shine through in this round of funding, with projects such as financial mentoring provided by Jubilee Budget Advisory and Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can and Career Navigator. Environmental projects are also well represented, including Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET) which receives a $98,000 grant for a critical trap upgrade to support the journey towards Bluff Hill Motupōhue becoming Predator-Free.

David Swann, BHMET Trustee and Project Leader says, “Predator numbers are at record lows and the ngahere is once again supporting abundant manu. For mana whenua, this is a cause for celebration; when the whenua heals, this supports the healing of our whānau.

“The Community Development Fund will support the Trust to accelerate our efforts towards Predator-Free status and bring the number of pests at Motupōhue down to zero,” he said.

Round two recipients:
• Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust – Waiau Mahika Kai restoration and awareness project
• South Sea Spray Trust – South Sea Spray Wāhine
• Rape and Abuse Support Centre Southland – Southland Help Rebuild Project
• Tuturu Charitable Trust – Matariki @ ILT Stadium 2024
• Kiwi Harvest Limited – truck for collection of rescued food
• Jubilee Budget Advisory Service – Financial Mentoring in Murihiku
• Insert Coin to Play Charitable Trust – GG Murihiku
• Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust – Preparing for a Predator Free Motupōhue
• Southland Mountain Bike Club – Bluff Hill / Motupōhue Pump Track and Social Hub
• South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust – Solar Panel Installation
• Te Oho Mana Charitable Trust – Tu Manawa Roa
• Lord Family Trust – Millars Beach Restoration project
• Hawthorndale Care Village Charitable Trust – Hawthorndale Community Gardens
Graeme Dingle Foundation SouthernKiwi Can and Career Navigator

Chris Blenkiron, Chief Executive of NZAS, said: “Our commitment to Southland remains as strong as ever, and is reflected in the impressive range of initiatives we have chosen to fund, alongside our partners Ngāi Tahu and Murihiku Rūnaka.

From sustainability and innovation to mental health and community resilience, all these projects reflect priorities in our business as well and will all add significantly to Southland’s future. Collectively, these projects will make Southland an even better place to live, which is important to the team at Tiwai, who all call this place home. We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Southland community, as we have been over the past 53 years,” he said.

Te Rūnaka o Awarua representative, Jacqui Caine, said: “We’re pleased to support so many great projects with the $2 million Community Development Fund, in accordance with the MOUs signed back in 2022. Once again, we were impressed by the applications and proud to support a diverse range of projects in round two that will have long-term, positive benefits for mana whenua and the wider Murihiku community.”

The Community Development Fund will continue to be available in 2025, with a further $500,000 commitment made. The 2025 Fund will be open in early 2025 for applications.