Seven community initiatives have received funding from Porirua City Council’s Young People’s Fund, with programmes ranging from boxing to podcasting designed to uplift local tamariki and rangatahi.
Two organisations secured Tier 1 grants—$50,000 per year over three years—while five others received one-off Tier 2 grants of $6000.
The Cannons Creek Youth Charitable Trust, a Tier 1 recipient, will use the funding to offer its boxing programme free of charge to Porirua students aged 9–19. The initiative includes physical training, wellbeing check-ins, and lessons grounded in the academy’s core values.
“This grant is acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication that the Cannons Creek Boxing Academy team and the Cannons Creek Youth Charitable Trust Board have put in over the last few years in growing and developing the academy to what it is today,” said Te Tumu Whakahaere Paegan Edmonds-Topia.
Also receiving Tier 1 support is Voice of Aroha, which will deliver workshops in podcasting, digital media production, and public speaking. The programme focuses on helping young people tell their stories and address issues such as mental health, identity, and belonging.
A panel of rangatahi aged 16–24, representing diverse communities across Porirua, worked alongside council officers to assess the applications and make funding recommendations.
Mayor Anita Baker said the selection process was challenging due to the number of strong proposals.
“There are many worthy projects out there for supporting our city’s young people. We’re happy to provide this assistance to a range of projects focusing on the environment, health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion,” Baker said.
The five organisations awarded Tier 2 grants are:
- Holy Family School – for their Pa Harakeke (harakeke garden) project, creating a space for edible and coastal planting, relaxation, and meditation.
- Wellness Within – to run workshops promoting balanced lifestyles and mental wellbeing for tamariki.
- Porirua Multicultural Council – to support the identity and workforce readiness of youth from diverse backgrounds.
- Wellington Access Radio – to produce short-run radio shows and podcasts with Porirua youth.
- Alofa Tunoa Trust – supporting youth-led initiatives (specific project details not disclosed).
The Young People’s Fund supports grassroots projects that empower Porirua’s next generation and strengthen community ties.