Wao Aotearoa has received $20,000 from the Otago Community Trust (OCT) to continue sustainability work in Wānaka and across New Zealand.

Since 2018, the organisation has been building awareness and facilitating collaboration on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability - and co-founder and general manager Monique Kelly said the support would go a long way.

"This grant helps us to operate as an organisation, providing essential funding that helps us to deliver events such as the Wao Summit and run our programmes for youth and increase food resilience."

Wao Aotearoa was one of three local organisations to receive funding in the most recent OCT funding round. 

Hāwea Flat School was granted $16,584 towards its swimming pool upgrade while $9,600 to the Wānaka Community Workshop will go towards its core programmes and workshops.

Around the region, last month’s grants also supported festivals and events.

Support was provided for the South Otago A&P Show's 159th annual show ($5,000), the Taiari Wai River Festival ($5,000), A Very Taieri Christmas ($3,500), St Andrew's Day celebrations ($4,000), and the 6th National Punjabi Language Week ($1,500), among other events.

The funding round also focused on environmental regeneration and community spaces, OCT said.

Recipients of this type of support included Taieri Mouth Amenities Society, which was granted $10,000 for the Sawmill Creek Reserve, and the Ōtematata Residents Association, which received $3,000 to help maintain the Ōtematata Wetlands.

The OCT is a philanthropic organisation which has invested $318.8M and granted $230.6M into Otago communities since its formation in the mid 1990s.

Every month it distributes grants for community groups and projects making a positive difference in Otago communities. Learn more here.

PHOTO: Supplied