10 Oct 2020

Pasifika taking up NZ Govt help for Covid-19 recovery efforts

9:51 am on 10 October 2020

New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, says a total of 264 groups and individuals have successfully applied for the Pacific Aotearoa Community Covid-19 Recovery Fund.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio speaks during the last general debate for the 52nd Parliament

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio speaks during the last general debate for the 52nd Parliament Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

The money, $NZ2.95 million, is to support Pacific communities in their recovery efforts.

The minister said he is keen for Pacific communities to become "the authors of their own solutions in response to Covid-19."

The Fund provides grassroots initiatives which will give up to NZ$5,000 to groups who have a new idea.

Acceleration initiatives of up to NZ$10,000 for groups who have already tested ideas and have shown good results.

And then there are Lift-off initiatives - funding of up to $50,000 for groups with tested ideas and which are looking to collaborate with other community groups.

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