Funding

sources

Looking for funding for your next creative project? There are many opportunities available, more than you might think!

To support your funding journey, we have gathered an extensive list of grant funders who support creativity, culture and heritage.

Where we’ve found funding dates, we’ve included the months they are open. However, since this information comes from external sources, we recommend double-checking the provided links to confirm deadlines, ensure funds are still available, and uncover any additional opportunities.

We encourage you to explore, dig deeper and let us know if there is any other funding sources we have missed that could be added to the list.

While we’re on the topic of funding, it’s important to note that Three Lakes Cultural Trust is not a funding provider, but we are here to chat through your ideas and support your initiative through connection, promotion and letters of support.

To further support your funding journey, we encourage you to attend a Funding Clinic held by local funders.

Or, come along to a workshop as part of the Funding Series, a 4-part programme designed to support your funding capability created in partnership with Three Lakes Cultural Trust, huddl, Sports Central, Conservation Alliance and QLDC.

We hope this list offers a helpful starting point as you take your next steps. Good luck, you’ve got this.

Creative New Zealand: Early career artists

Funding for artists and practitioners at the early stage of their career, to develop new work, new skills and to share their mahi with their communities.
Click here for more information.
Funding for individual artists and practitioners or a group of collaborators to undertake professional development and creative development activities that benefit their careers.
*Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates.
Click here for more information.
The Creative Fellowship Fund supports artists and practitioners to spend time developing new ideas, new work and new approaches in their artistic practice.
The artwork you create does not need to be ready to present to the public. The focus is on you developing as an artist or practitioner and having time to experiment.
Click here for more information.
Funding for artists and practitioners to create, share and present work that enriches audiences and encourages understanding and participation.
Click here for more information
Scholarships awarded annually to emerging and established music practitioners to further their studies overseas for up to 12 months.
*Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates
Click here for more information

Creative New Zealand: Artists and practitioners

Funding for artists and practitioners to spend time developing their artistic practice and new work
Click here for more information.
Funding for artists and practitioners to create, share and present work that enriches audiences and encourages understanding and participation.
Click here for more information
Funding for individual artists and practitioners or a group of collaborators to undertake professional development and creative development activities that benefit their careers.
*Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates
Click here for more information
An opportunity for a New Zealand visual artist with a strong national reputation to undertake a 12-month residency at the International Studio Programme at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin.
Click here for more information.
Biennial residency for an established New Zealand writer to work on an approved project in Berlin, Germany.
* Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates
Find out more here.
Fellowship awarded every two years to an established New Zealand writer of literature, to work on a major project.
*Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates
Click here for more information.
Scholarships awarded annually to emerging and established music practitioners to further their studies overseas for up to 12 months.
*Upcoming rounds are not yet confirmed. Subscribe to CNZ newsletter for updates
Click here for more information.

Creative New Zealand: Arts groups and organisations

Funding for organisations and groups to build their capability in key areas to create long term success.
Click here for more information.
Funding for arts organisations and groups with a long-term vision or purpose to deliver a programme of work for one, two or three years.
The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund offers opportunities for one, two or three years of support for arts organisations and groups with a dynamic vision for the arts in Aotearoa to deliver a programme of work that makes a positive impact in their community or communities.
Tiers 1 & 2 is for applications up to $125,000 per year
Tiers 3 & 4 is for applications over $125,000 per year
Click here for more information
Funding for arts organisations and groups with a long-term vision or purpose to deliver a programme of work for one, two or three years.
The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund offers opportunities for one, two or three years of support for arts organisations and groups with a dynamic vision for the arts in Aotearoa to deliver a programme of work that makes a positive impact in their community or communities.
Tiers 1 & 2 is for applications up to $125,000 per year
Tiers 3 & 4 is for applications over $125,000 per year
Click here for more information

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage

The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund will distribute up to $300,000 to support events that:
- commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty)
- increase awareness and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty
- encourage a wider mix of communities to take part in Waitangi Day events.
We are especially keen to support events organised by local government and/or communities in partnership with tangata whenua that invite wide community participation.
Applications for the 2026 Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund closed on 20 October 2025
Click here for more information.
Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants are funded by the New Zealand History Research Trust Fund. The grants support historians, researchers and writers who are working on non-fiction projects that will significantly enhance our understanding of New Zealand’s past.
Every year the fund gives away between 8 and 12 grants of up to $12,000 each to fund research and writing costs. We usually receive around 60 to 80 applications.
*Applications for the Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants were open from 20 August to 15 October 2025.
Find out more here.
*MCH will update web page with details of the next round in early 2026. If you would like to find out more, email oralhistory@mch.govt.nz.
Click here for more information.

Queenstown Lakes District Council community funds

Anyone looking to preserve or enhance listed heritage assets (natural and built) in the Queenstown Lakes District can apply for a Heritage Incentive Grant.
Financial assistance will only be granted to Category 1, 2, and 3 historic buildings, sites and objects (including trees) as listed in the Inventory of Protected Features (Appendix 3) in the District Plan.
Applications can be made for the following financial assistance:
- Professional Advice - to assist with advice on earthquake strengthening, building conservation plans, adaptive re-use feasibility studies and other studies to do with the conservation of the place, object or tree which will encourage their protection, preservation, maintenance and enhancement.
- Consent - to assist with reimbursing the landowner for land use consent and building consent fees incurred in preservation or adaptive re-use. These are fees incurred because of the historic designation.
- Maintenance - to assist with funding routine maintenance work undertaken by heritage professionals
Click here for find out more.
The Creative Communities Scheme works to strengthen the local art community. Projects that get funded do at least one of the following:
- encourage participation — creating opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local arts activities
- support diversity — supporting the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities
- enable young people — they provide opportunities for young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts
This scheme has two funding rounds each year:
- Round 1: opens 1 February and closes 28 February 2025
- Round 2: opens 1 August and closes 29 August 2025
This funding is supported by Creative New Zealand.
Click here for more information.
The Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme works to strengthen and enhance the local art sector. Funding available is a maximum of $2,500 annually per applicant and per project. Funding applications can be made to CLASS at any time. Decisions are made on a monthly basis.
Click here for more information
The Community Fund supports local initiatives that enhance community wellbeing, resilience, and connectedness in the Queenstown Lakes District.
Funding is available for not-for-profit groups, charities, and community organisations delivering projects that align with community priorities. This fund aims to empower local groups to make a meaningful impact through events, services, and initiatives that benefit the wider community
The 2025-2026 Community Fund has a total pool of $180,000, reflecting the funding allocation set in the QLDC Annual Plan. With a smaller funding round this year, priority will be given to initiatives that align closely with community needs and deliver strong local impact.
The funding open dates in 2025 were in April.
Click here for more information.
The 2025–2026 Economic Diversification Fund is a Queenstown Lakes District Council initiative that supports collaborative projects aimed at diversifying the local economy through innovation, entrepreneurship, and systems change.
The fund is open to organisations, and partnerships based in the Queenstown Lakes District. Applicants must demonstrate how their project supports economic diversification, aligns with the district’s strategic goals, and involves collaboration with other local entities. Projects should have a clear plan, measurable outcomes, and be ready to launch within the funding timeframe.
Find out more here.
The Events Fund is for people looking to organise events that benefit the community. The fund is open to both commercial and community-level events.
The 2025 Event Fund opened in April 2025.
Click here for more information.
Local events and community projects allow us to connect with and support each other, and they are an awesome way to celebrate the amazing communities we live in.
Funding is available to support local events, fundraising and community projects that sustain community health and wellbeing in our district. All supported events, projects or fundraising activities must be held in the Queenstown Lakes District.
Click here for more information.

Hāpai Hapori Community Matters - Department of Internal Affairs

The Community Organisation Grants Scheme or COGS provides grants to non-profit organisations delivering community-based social services that contribute to achieving locally determined outcomes.
Find out more here
Lottery Community is for projects or services with outcomes benefitting people within specific New Zealand geographic communities.
The Lottery Community committees determine and set their own priority outcomes based on their regions’ needs each year:
Individual Lottery Community committee priority outcomes
Priorities / Ngā kaupapa matua
Lottery Community prioritises organisations that support the needs of groups named in the Gambling Act 2003:
- Māori
- Pacific people and other ethnic communities
- Older people, women, youth, and people with disabilities
- People facing barriers to participation in society.
Find out more here
The Community and Volunteering Capability Fund provides grants to not-for-profit organisations for services and projects that improve leadership and strengthen the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s diverse community and voluntary sector.
Find out more here
Providing grants to improve or build new facilities for communities, and for studies to find out if a community facility is needed and can be achieved.
As well as community centres or community buildings, a community facility may be a stadium, performing arts complex, community swimming pool, aquatic centre, skate or dirt park, or a capital works project that improves local digital accessibility.
Find out more here
Lottery Environment and Heritage provides grants for plans, reports and one-off projects that will protect, conserve and promote New Zealand’s natural, cultural and physical heritage.
Find out more here.
Helping people to travel overseas to learn from others and study topics that will advance their occupation, trade, industry, profession or community and benefit New Zealand.
Find out more here
This Trust provides funding to help strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders and their communities in New Zealand.
Find out more here.

Community & Gaming Trusts

Central Lakes Trust provides funding to charitable causes in our region, focusing on the following sectors:
- Lifelong learning
- Community Wellbeing
- Community Recreation
- Arts and Culture
- Environment & Heritage
Central Lakes Trust offers a range of funding opportunities.
Click HERE for more information.
OCT provides grants to non for profit community groups and projects that make a positive contribution to Otago communities.
Their four funding pillars include
1. Empowered communities,
2. Improved health and wellbeing,
3. Increased access to opportunities
4. Thriving children and young people.
Find out more here.
Community Trust South fund people and ideas that benefit our community.
They provide funding throughout the south covering Southland, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Tapanui and Heriot areas.
We can only consider applications from organisations or for projects outside of this area if there is a very clear and demonstrated benefit for our people and our communities.
There are multiple funding opportunities available.
Read more here.
The Upper Clutha Community Arts Council has a long-standing commitment to supporting the arts in our area.
CCS Funding is managed through the Upper Clutha Community Arts Council.
Find out more here
Aotearoa Gaming Trust is a proud funding provider to a wide range of community groups and charitable causes within New Zealand.
AGT are always open for applications that benefit the community. In most cases, applications are processed within 20 working days.
Click HERE for more information.
The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected Charitable Trusts. Since 1985 we have returned over $1 billion back to the community, supporting thousands of good causes all around New Zealand.
The Lion Foundation welcomes applications for funding from eligible community organisations.
Funding is generally distributed to the areas from which they are generated. Within the Queenstown Lakes District, there is a venue in Wānaka only.
Click HERE for more information
NZCT awards grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the Arts, and cultural activities. They also fund a range of charitable causes in the areas of health, rescue services, education, arts, culture, heritage and the environment.
Click HERE for more information.
The Catalytic Foundation provides financial grants to charities who do exceptional work in the community.
The Catalytic Community Grants fund small to medium sized, community-based organisations, who do not have large inhouse marketing or fundraising resources and are providing direct social services to whanau/families and individuals.
Find out more here

Corporate community funds

Over the past nineteen years, Cook Brothers has maintained its core values, ensuring that it works together, develops relationships, and cares for its team, clients, and the community.
Giving back is thier way of ensuring a more sustainable future for us all. An outlook guided by the recognition that mā ngā mahi o tēnei rā, e hanga te āhua o āpōpō, what we do today, defines our tomorrow.
In 2021, we launched Cook Brothers Community—an initiative to provide assistance through grants, funding support, professional advice, and mentorship. This program has supported a diverse range of groups and initiatives.
Find out more here.
The Harcourts Foundation - the charitable arm of Harcourts continues to support our communities.

Since its launch in 2008, the Harcourts Foundation has raised in excess of $9m. Charities, community groups and crisis funds have benefitted from the Harcourts network generosity.
Application Rounds for 2026:
- Round 68 | 1 December 2025 - 27 February 2026
- Round 69 | 5 March 2026 - 1 June 2026
- Round 70 | 8 June 2026 - 26 August 2026
- Round 71 | 31 August 2026 - 9 November 2026
- Round 72 | 16 November 2026 - 26 February 2027
- Decisions are due to be made within 2-3 weeks after the round closes.
Find out more here.
The Craigs Community Fund (CCF) was established in 2019 with the goal to build a charitable fund over the next 10-15 years for us to give to our local communities continuously.
In 2023, we once again donated $150,000 to local communities throughout New Zealand, taking our annual community support to over $1 million. We understand the importance of assisting local charities and communities who need our support now, more than ever before.
Find out more here.
Queenstown Airport launched the Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Community Fund in 2025. The fund reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and aligns with our broader business objectives.
This initiative aims to create a meaningful and lasting impact by empowering grassroots organisations that contribute to the well-being of the region’s people and environment.
This fund is worth $50,000 annually and will range between $1000 and $5000.
Not-for-profits operating in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts can apply to the fund.
Click here to find out more.

Philanthropic trusts & foundations

As a giving circle with collective decision making, Impact100 is designed to empower women to see themselves as philanthropists and overcome the barriers women have historically faced in this arena. The grants are designed for transformational grant-making within local communities, with a minimum grant size of $100,000.
Click here for more information.
The 45th South Foundation provides a smarter way to give so donation can go further and forever within the community you love.
Find out more here here.
The Mactodd Community Charitable Trust is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of our community.
Thier mission is to support and uplift individuals and groups across Central Otago and Southern Lakes. We are committed to promoting the wellbeing of all community members through strategic investments and support for programmes that align with our core values.
*2026 funding dates are not yet set, however the 2025 dates were in October.
Find out more here.
The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi was established in 1998 to honour extraordinary New Zealand artists, and to help them make their mark.
Since then, we've gathered a collective of people who believe that artists and creatives are central to a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand. We are building a movement that invests in the most important capital of all: people.
Find out more here.
Crowdfunding is the art of rallying your community to fund your project.
The beauty of Boosted is that crowdfunding gives you so much more than money.
Crowdfunding helps you build an avid community of invested fans. Once people put their hand in their pocket, they’re personally committed to your success. You’ll end up with a digital community of givers who’ll engage with you and your art time and time again, whether that’s through donations, purchasing tickets to your shows, or buying your work. Plus, they’ll hype your art to friends and whānau. They’re loyal fans. That’s gold.
And that ain’t all…
Find out more here.

Additional funding opportunities specifically for …

Heritage

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is the leading bicultural government agency charged with identifying, preserving and promoting our unique heritage.
They offer advice, support and administer Rārangi Kōrero/The New Zealand Heritage List, the national statutory record of our rich and diverse heritage places.
The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund (NHPIF) provides a subsidy for the conservation of privately owned places included on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.
Find out more here.
Lottery Environment and Heritage provides grants for plans, reports and one-off projects that will protect, conserve and promote New Zealand’s natural, cultural and physical heritage.
Natural heritage projects promote, protect and/or keep our native plants (flora) and animal life (fauna) safe from harm (including the on-going costs of pest and predator control)
Physical heritage projects restore, protect and/or conserve places, structures and large built objects that are important to our history
Cultural heritage projects conserve, protect and/or promote collections and stories that are important to our cultural heritage and identity.
Find out more here.
Applications for the heritage incentive grant can be made by the owners of listed heritage items (natural and built) in the Queenstown Lakes District. Financial assistance will only be granted to Category 1, 2, and 3 historic buildings, sites and objects (including trees) as listed in the Inventory of Protected Features (Appendix 3) in the District Plan.
Applications can be made for the following financial assistance:
- Professional Advice - to assist with advice on earthquake strengthening, building conservation plans, adaptive re-use feasibility studies and other studies to do with the conservation of the place, object or tree which will encourage their protection, preservation, maintenance and enhancement.
- Consent - to assist with reimbursing the landowner for land use consent and building consent fees incurred in preservation or adaptive re-use. These are fees incurred because of the historic designation.
- Maintenance - to assist with funding routine maintenance work undertaken by heritage professionals
Click here for more information.
This grant helps get materials, services, and information for museums, galleries, or for iwi, hapū, and whānau groups caring for taonga.
Find out more here.
This subsidy grant helps cover travel expernses for sector related training in NZ.
Find out more here.
This grant helps access museum or gallery training programmes – local or international.
Find out more here.

Additional funding opportunities specifically for …

Music, dance and the performing arts

NZ On Air Music funding supports the recording and promotion of single songs and multi-song projects. We fund projects that reflect Aotearoa and have the potential to reach significant broadcast and online audiences.
This funding is designed to connect audiences with great New Zealand songs and boost the visibility of Aotearoa music both locally and internationally.
Head to NZ On Air website for full list of funding options and dates as there are many.
https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/funding/music-funding/
Various funding streams available to create, deliver and promote Māori media projects, as well as opportunities for industry training and development.
Diverse Content Fund:
Te Māngai Pāho provides contestable, mixed-platform funding for producers and creators to create a diverse range of Māori content.
To find out more, and see a full list of funding opportunities and dates, head to https://www.tmp.govt.nz/en/funding/diverse-content/
Various funding streams available to create, deliver and promote Māori media projects, as well as opportunities for industry training and development.
Māori Music Fund
Te Māngai Pāho provides a range of contestable funds for Māori music related activities.To find out more, and see a full list of funding opportunities and dates, head to https://www.tmp.govt.nz/en/funding/music/
Waiata Takitahi is a Co-Fund launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air. The ambition for the fund is to enable the creation of brand new songs incorporating te reo Māori to target big audience platforms.
Applications from New Zealand artists who are interested in recording and releasing a bilingual single with potential general audience appeal and a minimum of 25% te reo Māori in the song lyrics are welcome to apply.
Find out more here.
Supporting established music organisations and initiatives.
No further information at the time of posting this, but keep an eye on their website and newsletter for opportunities to apply for industry support funding.
Outward Sound is a matched investment programme, where we invest in the international careers of NZ artists and support NZ music businesses to take music from Aotearoa to the world.
Bands, composers, songwriters, producers, companies and solo artists can all apply for Outward Sound support, which is a 50% contribution towards approved eligible costs. The programme is inclusive of music from all genres and styles, and is also open to applicants at different stages of international market development – from reaching a new global market or building and developing an existing global market.
There are five contestable funding rounds each year, and applicants can apply for the following:
Business Development Grant: Grants up to $5,000 (i.e. projects up to the value of $10,000)
The Business Development Grant applies to managers, artists, companies who want to expand their business by attending trade shows and associated events. Funding is awarded for up to two representatives to undertake a market development visit travelling to the desired market (or markets) and meeting with companies/individuals associated with your business plan.
Find out more here.
Outward Sound is a matched investment programme, where we invest in the international careers of NZ artists and support NZ music businesses to take music from Aotearoa to the world.
Bands, composers, songwriters, producers, companies and solo artists can all apply for Outward Sound support, which is a 50% contribution towards approved eligible costs. The programme is inclusive of music from all genres and styles, and is also open to applicants at different stages of international market development – from reaching a new global market or building and developing an existing global market.
There are five contestable funding rounds each year, and applicants can apply for the following:
International Market Development Grant: Grants up to $50,000 (i.e. projects up to the value of $100,000)
These grants are aimed at managers, artists, and labels who are undertaking a market development visit, and support a variety of costs related to touring, showcasing, marketing, promotion, visas, flights, accommodation, and production. Applicants are expected to present a comprehensive international market plan to support their proposed activity and a variety of other support material.
Find out more here.
MusicHelps’ Grants are the way we partner with people and projects that use the power of music to change the lives of people in need in Aotearoa.

The charity supports a wide range of programmes that use music to help people who are at risk, vulnerable and experiencing health issues. The charity has made projects impacting over 90,000 people, possible at youth organisations, hospices, schools, medical charities, rehabilitation centres and more across New Zealand.
Expressions of interest in December and June.
Find out more here.
We created the Art Music Fund, in partnership with the Australian Music Centre (AMC) and now SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, in recognition of the limited opportunities for art music composers to have new works performed. We strongly encourage the support of these partner organisations, who champion the work of art music composers, by becoming either an AMC Financial Member or a Friend of SOUNZ.
In 2026, 11 composers (nine from Australia, two from New Zealand) received a total pool of A$82,500 to create commissioned work that is complemented by an exploitation program. Each recipient receives a grant of A$7,500.
The fund exists to commission new work that is innovative, displays professional compositional craft and represents a benchmark of excellence in its field.
Find out more here.
The Lilburn Trust supports a wide range of projects on New Zealand music. It has supplied grants to performers, composers, authors, filmmakers, record companies and oral historians to help promote New Zealand’s musical arts, to advance musical knowledge and appreciation, and to preserve musical archives.
Find out more here.
As part our work to support the New Zealand professional performing arts sector, PANNZ provides both direct and indirect assistance for work from Aotearoa to be commissioned and/or tour, as well as for creators to pitch and/or present at local and international markets.
The resources section provides information on current direct funds available through PANNZ, as well as directories and templates for artists and producers.
Check out their website to see a full list of funding options and dates.
https://www.pannz.org.nz/funds-resources/
The Dame Malvina Major Foundation was established in 1991 to enable Dame Malvina Major’s vision to “share the dream” with talented young artists. The Foundation helps young New Zealanders achieve their potential in the performing arts by providing a range of grants, prizes and scholarships.
The Foundation offers a range of scholarships to young performers to help them to achieve their dreams. As a trusted charity, the Foundation also manages scholarships and named donations or bequests that support the performing arts on behalf of other trusts and individuals.
Find out more here.

Additional funding opportunities specifically for …

TV & Film

NZ On Air invests in public media content to reflect and develop New Zealand identity and culture.
You can apply for Scripted funding if you’re creating media content with a fictional, scripted storyline. Genres include drama, comedy and children’s content.
Applications open in May and August 2025.
Find out more here.
NZ On Air (NZOA) invests in public media content to reflect and develop New Zealand identity and culture.
NZOA support the development and growth of Aotearoa New Zealand's game development sector through this NZD $40m-per-year scheme.
NZOA Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) is a financial incentive designed to support the ongoing development and growth of the game development sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. The delivery of the GDSR sits under the Capability pou of our NZ On Air Investment Strategy.
The GDSR offers a 20% refund on approved expenses for eligible businesses, capped at $3 million per annum, with a minimum annual expenditure of $250,000 on eligible costs.
Applications are open in February & April 2025
Find out more here.
The New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) is a government-back screen incentives scheme available to international and domestic productions (including Official Co-productions).
At the time of writing this information, now new information for 2025 has been provided.
Click here to stay informed
Are you a business or film industry organisation that wants to develop talent and deliver training for the New Zealand film industry?
The Film Commission has a number of initiatives that can help businesses effectively deliver training and develop filmmaking talent.
Find out more here.
The Documentary Development Fund (DDF) supports the development of documentary films that have the potential to become compelling cinematic releases.
Find out more here.
The New Zealand Film Commission collaborates with the New Zealand Writers’ Guild (NZWG) for early script development under the name Seed Funding.
Seed Grants offer an opportunity for writers to create feature film scripts. Seed Grants provide money for writers to help their projects progress to the stage where they may apply to our Early and Advanced Development funds, or continue to be developed independently.
Find out more here.
Production Funding offers production financing for your project.
The funding comes in the form of equity investment - if we invest money in your film then we get a share of any profits made. We do not independently produce films. The New Zealand Film Commission also administers the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) for New Zealand productions, co-productions and international productions.
Find out more here.
This short film funds aim to identify the next generation of New Zealand feature filmmakers by nurturing up-and-coming talent through short film development and production.
Short films play an important role in establishing and progressing unique creative voices, reflecting New Zealand culture and helping filmmakers develop skills and relationships that contribute to a successful screen industry.
Find out more here.
Are you a Māori filmmaker with a story to tell? The Film Commission values cultural diversity and wants to help more Māori filmmakers find pathways to bring their stories to life.
Find out more here.
We expect all the films that we fund to be seen in New Zealand cinemas but we understand that in a competitive market your film might need help to reach its audience.
We provide various forms of distribution support including facilitating contact with local distributors, advising on release strategies and providing a subsidy for theatrical releases.
Find out more here.
If you are an industry guild or some other organisation working in the film industry then the Film Commission has a number of initiatives that can help you develop filmmaking talent and upskill practitioners.
Find out more here.
If you have finished your film and need some help to get it across the finish line, you can apply for post production funding.
Depending on the scale of the work needed to finish your film, there are several options.
Find out more here.
The Film Commission supports filmmakers to develop a diverse range of projects from the early draft of a screenplay right through to a finished film. We fund innovative ideas that will connect with both local and international audiences and attract critical acclaim. We want to further the success of filmmakers and the production companies behind them.
Find out more here.
Are you wanting support for your filmmaking career? The Film Commission has a number of initiatives to develop the careers of filmmakers, including those in their early stages.
Find out more here.
We assist producers to travel to key international markets where they can advance the packaging and financing of their film projects.
Find out more here.
Te Māngai Pāho provides contestable, ngā tūāpapa rerekē funding for producers and creators to create a diverse range of Māori content. Mixed-platform is our way of describing the wide variety of kaupapa we fund across linear television, online and digital platforms, web series, and apps. Also described as ‘diverse content’, all mixed-platform initiatives support Māori language and culture outcomes.
Find out more here.
The Screenrights Cultural Fund makes a difference by supporting people with exciting and innovative new initiatives that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and New Zealand. The 2025 total funding pool is $300,000.

Applications for the 2025 grant round will open on 14 February.
Find out more here.

Additional funding opportunities specifically for …

Gaming, design, digital & similar creative industries

NZ On Air (NZOA) invests in public media content to reflect and develop New Zealand identity and culture.
NZOA support the development and growth of Aotearoa New Zealand's game development sector through this NZD $40m-per-year scheme.
NZOA Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) is a financial incentive designed to support the ongoing development and growth of the game development sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. The delivery of the GDSR sits under the Capability pou of our NZ On Air Investment Strategy.
The GDSR offers a 20% refund on approved expenses for eligible businesses, capped at $3 million per annum, with a minimum annual expenditure of $250,000 on eligible costs.
Applications are open in February & April 2025
Find out more here.
Te Māngai Pāho provides contestable, ngā tūāpapa rerekē funding for producers and creators to create a diverse range of Māori content. Mixed-platform is our way of describing the wide variety of kaupapa we fund across linear television, online and digital platforms, web series, and apps. Also described as ‘diverse content’, all mixed-platform initiatives support Māori language and culture outcomes.
Find out more here.
CODE is helping build a sustainable game development ecosystem in Aotearoa – New Zealand, nurturing studios and people, improving skills and pathways, supporting diversity and equity.
The global game development sector is large and growing. CODE is part of an industry-wide drive towards a $1BN interactive media industry here in Aotearoa – New Zealand.
CODE directly supports game development in Aotearoa – New Zealand, funding throughout a studio lifecycle – Kickstart for the creation of Prototypes, Start Up for Production support and matched Scale Up funding for successful companies to drive ambition and employment. We also fund curriculum development and community programmes that support the teaching or learning of game development skills.
Find out more here.

Additional funding opportunities specifically for …

Writing, publishing & authors

In 2024, up to $75,000 was available to support strategic projects that demonstrate Aotearoa New Zealand publishing sector growth. The amount applicants apply for is up to them, with the number of successful recipients varying each year depending on the individual merits of the applications received.
Successful projects had clearly defined and measurable project outcomes that align with the Cultural Fund’s objectives.
Applications in 2024 opened in September, so make sure to check their website for future dates.
Find out more here.
The CLNZ | NZSA Research Grants support New Zealand writers by providing assistance to writers who wish to undertake research for a fiction or non-fiction writing project.
Four Research Grants valued at $5,000 each are available to New Zealand writers wishing to undertake research for a fiction or non-fiction writing project. These are bought to you by Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) as part of the CLNZ Cultural Fund.
Applications in 2024 opened in May, so make sure to check their website for future dates.
Find out more here.
This $25,000 award is one of the investments made through the CLNZ Cultural Fund
The 2024 Writers’ Award is proudly brought to you by the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) and Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ). It is open to writers of any genre of non-fiction, including writers of education material. The award enables the successful applicant to devote time to a specific writing project.
Applications in 2024 opened in May, so make sure to check their website for future dates.
Find out more here.
The Lilian Ida Smith Award provides the successful applicant with an award of $3000 to assist them towards completion of a specific project.
The Lilian Ida Smith Award was initiated when Lilian Ida Smith, a music teacher of Whanganui who had a keen interest in the arts, left part of her legacy to the NZ Society of Authors to ‘assist people aged 35yrs and over to embark upon or further a literary career’. (Applicants are expected to be either in the early stages of their writing career, or someone whose opportunities to fulfill their potential have been limited.)
Find out more here.
Annual award of $10,000 for writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama with a literary track record, who are currently working on a new project.
The Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship is awarded each year to a mid-career or senior writer to work on a project that shows a high level of literary merit and national significance and is donated by Peter Beatson.
Open to writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama who are currently working on a new project.
Opens for applications between June and August in any given year .
Find out more here.
The NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award is a new award established by novelist Tina Shaw to encourage the development of great novels by mid-career fiction writers who are working on a new project.
The NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award will provide a cash award of $5,000 to be used for the completion and/or publication of their stated project.
Applications are usually open from mid may to mid July.
Find out more here.