Mangakino to benefit from grant

27 January 2016

A $310,000 grant from the Department of Internal Affairs is set to boost the capabilities of the Mangakino Community-Led Development Group this year.

The grant will directly benefit Mangakino and Whakamaru residents through community training, projects and activities.

This is the sixth year the group has received a grant from the Department of Internal Affairs as part of a pilot programme. Over the six years, the group has received just over $1 million for community projects. This is the last year of funding.

Mangakino was one of five communities selected to take part in the pilot programme which aimed at encouraging communities to identify their own goals with support to help them succeed.

Taupo District Council's community risk, relations and support group manager Brian Fox said the trial will enable the Department of Internal Affairs to assess whether the programme resulted in sustainable outcomes for communities, hapu and iwi. Hopefully Mangakino will be a positive example of how a local community can make positive improvements with the right guidance and funding, he said.

This year's funding is earmarked for a number of projects aimed at supporting and growing capacity in the Mangakino community.