A record $87,000 from the Connecting Communities fund will be injected into initiatives that improve mental wellbeing, social connection and resilience in communities across the Southern Lakes region over the next few months.

The fund, which was set up by the government in November 2021 to support social and mental wellbeing in the tourism-dependent Southern lakes region after COVID, and is administered by Te Whatu Ora Southern with guidance from Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group 

Ninety two groups each received up to $1,000 in latest Connecting Communities funding round.

Projects benefiting were from throughout Fiordland and Central Otago and included an all abilities staircase to access for Manapouri Community Pool, a Blue Light Te Anau Life Skills course for youth aged 14-17, a new community noticeboard for Te Anau, as well as a range of Matariki activities across the region.

Adell Cox, Chair of the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, said that the response to this funding round has been “phenomenal”, particularly from Te Anau and Manapouri.

“We had a thirty-five percent increase in applications overall this time and we’ve funded as many initiatives as we could. 

“It’s been really inspiring and heartwarming to see how hard our Southern Lakes communities are working to improve their collective wellbeing, celebrate diversity and be inclusive,” said Cox. 

Other beneficiaries include Fiordland Community Kai who run regular community cook-ups in Te Anau and plans to host a Winter Warmer, Food for the Soul series with its funding.

“We’re hosting three community-based cooking classes over winter which focus on teaching tasty, nutritious and affordable meals. Our aim is for the participants to come away with new connections, skills, ideas and the confidence to cook healthy nutritious kai,” says organiser Katherine Mitchell.

The Connecting Communities fund has now had six funding rounds with 329 recipients and nearly $320,000 injected across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Fiordland.

The next funding rounds are on 6-16 November 2023 and 8-18 April 2024.

Eligible not-for-profit groups can apply for up to $1,000 including GST to support community-focused mental wellbeing initiatives.  

For more details, visit www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka