About The Fund

Each year since 2020, Te Rau Ora has delivered $1.6m of funding to whānau, hapū, Māori community groups, and Iwi & Māori Providers to run community-led initiatives for suicide prevention.  Prior to 2020, funding was distributed under Te Rau Ora’s previous roopu ‘Te Au’ which was part of He Waka Hourua. 

The purpose of the Fund is to build the capacity of Whānau Māori, Hapū, and Iwi to prevent suicide within communities and respond effectively if, and when, a suicide occurs. 

This funding empowers community-led initiatives throughout Aotearoa to help alleviate distress and support whānau known to be at higher risk of suicidal distress such as tāne, rangatahi, rainbow communities and rural communities as well as whānau impacted from loss through suicide.  The fund is a by-Māori, for-Māori approach to suicide prevention and encourages community solutions within Te Ao Māori – drawing upon mātauranga Māori and the strengths of hāpori Māori for hope, healing and oranga.

The $1.6 million contestable fund has four funding streams:

• Whānau & Hapū Groups can apply for up to $10,000.
• Māori Community Groups can apply for up to $25,000.
• Iwi & Māori Providers may apply for up to $50,000.
• Iwi/Māori Provider Collaborations may apply for up to $100,000.

Applications open now for 2025.