Power Up Community Fund
Empowering communities in our backyard.
No one experiences our generation assets like the people who live, work, and learn with our hydro stations and wind farms in their backyards.
We value the communities that surround our generation assets and it’s important to us that they feel included as part of our Meridian whānau. For the past 15 years, we’ve been proud to work with and empower community groups and projects through our Power Up Community Fund. And each year, we continue to put our support where it’s needed with the help of our local Power Up panels.
Is my project eligible?
If you live in a community near one of our generation assets then you can apply for funding. Your application must meet the Power Up Community Fund objectives and selection criteria below.
Looking for funding but don't live near our generation assets? Our Decarbonisation Fund is available nationwide for projects that reduce carbon emissions.
Fund objectives
Your project must meet at least one of following:
- promote environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contribute to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promote life-long learning opportunities for all
- foster the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities
- promote quality healthcare.
Selection criteria
Your proposal must clearly outline what the outcomes and benefits of your project will be, and how your project will:
- contribute directly to the community
- generate benefits that do not currently exist
- contribute long-term solutions to issues
- foster the development of skills and capacity
- demonstrate the ability to make effective use of the funds
- have performance measures that focus on outcomes
- provide promotional opportunities
- use the fund to attract additional funding for the project
- demonstrate a sustainable future for the project beyond the support of the fund.
Map of Power Up communities
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Te Uku Waikato
Power Up Te Uku provides grants for projects in Raglan, Te Mata, Waitetuna and Te Uku that support sustainable community development.
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Te Āpiti Manawatu
Power Up Te Āpiti provides grants for projects in Ashhurst and Woodville that support sustainable community development.
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West Wind Wellington
Power Up West Wind provides grants for projects in Mākara, South Mākara, Mākara Beach and Takarau Gorge that support sustainable community development.
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Mill Creek Wellington
Power Up Mill Creek provides grants for projects in Ohariu Valley and North Mākara that support sustainable community development.
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Waitaki Canterbury
Power Up Waitaki provides grants for projects from Aoraki Mount Cook to Waitaki Bridge that support sustainable community development. This includes Twizel, Omarama, Otematata, Kurow, Hakataramea, Duntroon, Ikawai, Papakaio and Glenavy.
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White Hill Southland
Power Up White Hill provides grants for projects in Mossburn, Dipton and Lumsden that support sustainable community development.
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Manapōuri Southland
Power Up Manapōuri provides grants for projects in Te Anau, Manapōuri, Clifden and Tuatapere that support sustainable community development.
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Harapaki Hawke's Bay
Power Up Harapaki is our newest community fund, launching soon! Similar to our other Power Up funds, it provides grants for projects in the communities closest to Harapaki wind farm that support sustainable community development.