Central Lakes Trust grants another $1 million
Food For Love Wānaka and Queenstown's arts and culture centre Te Atamira were two of the big winners in Central Lakes Trust's latest grant funding round.
CLT awarded grants totalling $1,024,959 at its first board meeting for 2025 to 23 charitable organisations throughout the region for their operations, programmes, and projects to benefit the community.
“Many of our grantees are community-led initiatives,” CEO Barbara Bridger says. “It’s encouraging to see such a wide variety of organisations stepping up to address the needs and opportunities within our region.”
Community-led initiatives is Food for Love received $121,266 per annum towards their operational costs from 2025 to 2028.
Founded in 2016 by Rebecca (Bex) Sarginson and Louise Carnie, Food For Love delivered over 9,000 meals to people in need in 2024, and estimates 12,000 meals will go out in the coming year.
“As the Upper Clutha’s population continues to grow, so does the need for our services,” Food For Love Wānaka GM Jodie Stuart says. “Funding like this ensures we can meet increasing demand and continue supporting families and individuals during their times of need—whether they are recovering from illness, injury, or facing unexpected challenges.”
CLT also granted $170,000 to Te Atamira to support the continuation of their community programmes.
Welcoming more than 83,000 visitors per annum, Te Atamira has become a hub for arts and culture in the Whakatipu basin. In addition to the 38 external groups that run regular programmes in their space, Te Atamira offers a range of community programmes at no or minimal cost to attendees.
"At Te Atamira, we see firsthand how creativity transforms lives,” director Olivia Egerton says. “Our free community programmes offer people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to explore their artistic potential, connect with others, and build confidence - not just in their creativity, but in themselves. Creativity strengthens resilience and well-being while also deepening our sense of place and belonging through shared experiences.
"In Tāhuna Queenstown, where many have chosen to make their home, this connection is especially important. Through hands-on workshops, gatherings, and the celebration of toi Māori kaupapa, people engage in the arts and uncover new strengths within themselves and their community. We look forward to growing our platform for creativity to flourish for everyone, every day.”
Grants approved
Project Grants
Disc Golf Wanaka Disc golf courses for Wanaka $7,500
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club New Community Shed Facility $68,911
Dunstan Community Whare Trust Whare Extension $174,317
Showbiz Queenstown Into The Woods $9,700
Veterans Cricket New Zealand Over 70's Tournament $2,000
Whakatipu Music Festival Whakatipu Music Festival and Outreach programme 2025 $27,000
Project grants total $289,428
Operational / Programme Grants
Bowel Cancer New Zealand Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $8,100
Central and Southern Kids Educational Trust Programme Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $30,000
Central Lakes Breastfeeding Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $20,000
Cromwell Community House Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2028 $73,800
Food for Love Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2028 $121,266
Good Bitches Baking Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $4,847
Headlight Trust Programme Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $45,000
KiwiHarvest Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $84,045
Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 $14,763
Livingwell Disability Resource Centre Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2028 $21,228
Otago Multiple Sclerosis Society Inc Operational Grant Jan 2025 - Dec 2025 $11,767
Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka Incorporated Programme Grant 2025 $23,600
Road Safety Education Limited Programme Grant RYDA 2025 $5,000
Te Atamira Whakatipu Community Trust Programme Grant Jul 2025 - Jun 2026 $170,000
The Brain Injury Association (Otago) Inc. Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2028 $16,170
Volunteer South Operational Grant Apr 2025 - Mar 2028 $85,945
Operational/Programme grants total $735,531
