West Auckland Community Toy Library provides families with access to affordable and high-quality educational toys and equipment. The library received a grant of $450 to purchase three new balance bikes, expanding and upgrading its current range. Balance bikes promote balance, motor coordination, and physical strength and confidence for young tamariki.

Whirinaki Whare Taonga is a vibrant arts centre in Upper Hutt featuring art, culture and history. Whirinaki Whare Taonga received a grant of $5,000 to support its family focused exhibition, Curious Contraptions. The exhibition is aimed at encouraging interest among young Kiwis about science, technology and engineering.

Youth Search and Rescue Trust is a non-profit organisation who train and mentor young people in Emergency Management and Search and Rescue to ensure there is a future generation of experienced and expert volunteers. The trust received a grant of $6,382.40 to purchase two basket stretchers which are essential for carrying out rescue training.

Camellia House is a safe haven for women and their children in the Manawatu, offering temporary accommodation and support services to help gain back their independence. The trust received a grant of $1,191 to purchase outdoor equipment to create a play area for children to play, learn and have fun. The play area will create an environment for the children to learn through play by encouraging exploration, creativity and problem-solving, as well as enhancing their listening skills and ability to interact socially.

East End Surf Life Saving Club provides a community service to the people of New Plymouth by voluntarily providing lifeguards at East End Beach. The club received a grant of $3,500 to purchase specialist bodyboards for use by junior members (aged from 6 to 14) to kickstart their education around water safety and surf lifesaving. The bodyboards are specially designed to be safe to learn on (made from foam with handles) and provide junior members with skills that help them to stay safe near the ocean.

Everybody’s Theatre Society Incorporated is a Taranaki trust run by volunteers in the Opunake community. The trust works to highlight the unique bond between the theatre building and the community and has made the theatre a multi-functional facility that the wider community can benefit from. The trust received a grant of $1,600 to train volunteers to install the sound system used by live performers.

The Feilding and District Art Society Incorporated supports artists and artisans in the local community by hosting exhibitions, workshops and events including the Manawatu Art Expo. The society’s aim is to provide everyone in the region with the opportunity to see, make, or exhibit artwork with no barriers for participation. The society received a grant of $2,000 to fund the Youth Art Award prize at the 2022 Art Awards. The Youth Award category is for under 21’s and provides young artists with the opportunity to invest in their craft and exhibit their work for the first time.

Hamilton Arts Trust’s vision is – art everywhere every day, with the mission to bring the streets of Hamilton alive with art. Boon After Dark is the trust’s annual installation of temporary illuminated sculptures, which in 2022 will coincide with the first public celebration of Matariki. The trust received a grant of $3,800 to fund a Phonic Light Bridge and UV Spaghetti art works with the aim of providing  free, high-quality, family friendly installations that enliven Hamilton city.

Kidz Need Dadz Charitable Trust aims to strengthen father-child relationships through support, education, and fun. The charity received a grant of $3,600 to support staff training and education to help improve the organisation’s sustainability and support it can provide to families, dads, and children in local communities.

Lisa Hooper received a grant of $5,825 to cover the additional cost of her son William’s therapy dog.

Lisa hopes to help her son lead a fulfilled and happy life and gain as much independence as possible.

Often William’s anxiety limits how much they can do as a family, even though he would dearly love to do more with younger brother Lincoln. By having a Therapy Dog to work with, Lisa believes William will gain confidence and give him support to experience new things.