Māori Suicide Prevention Community Fund

Launched on July 1st 2020, the Community Fund was targeted at Māori interested in enhancing wellbeing through suicide prevention and postvention responses. 

They could apply for one of the four funding categories that were available: 

• Whānau or Hapū – up to $10.000 each
• Māori community groups – up to $25.000 each
• Iwi or Māori Organisations – up to $50.000 each
• Regional or National collaboratives of whānau, hapū, Iwi or Māori Organizations – up to $100.000

There was an overwhelming response from around the country to the Māori Community Suicide Prevention Funding opportunity, with 139 eligible applications received before the cut-off date and a total sum amount of $4.8 million applied for.  This response reflects the huge need across Aotearoa (NZ) for things to happen around suicide and suicide prevention.  This response also shows the strong desire in our whānau Māori to make self-determined activations for positive change in their respective communities. 

A limit of $1.6 million was available to be distributed for the Community fund this 2020 / 2021 year, which saw a total of 74 of the initiatives funded.

He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Every Life Matters Suicide Prevention Strategy sets the vision for a future in Aotearoa where there is no suicide!

It predicts a future where the suicide rate has reduced.  Where every person and their whānau have increased confidence and feel their lives matter.

These are some of the key aspects expected to help people achieve their potential:

• whakapapa – having a strong identity, knowing where they come from and where they belong
• tūmanako – having self-worth and being optimistic about their future
• whanaungatanga – being connected with friends, whānau, and wider communities
• atawhaitanga – receiving support that responds to distress with compassion, respect and understanding. Also supports healing and recovery
• kia mōhio, kia mārama – knowing where and how to access support
• mauri tau – having easy access to support that recognises and responds to their needs when they are affected by suicide.

Over the coming months, keep an eye out for featured stories (on the Te Au Māori and Te Rau Ora websites), about the initiatives happening across the country that we will be supporting through the community fund.