Funding | Te Waka Toi | Indigenous Links

Indigenous Links funding programme

Under this programme, Te Waka Toi supports projects that strengthen links between tāngata whenua artists and the indigenous peoples of the Pacific and other nations.If you're not sure if this is the right funding programme to apply to, please go back to our Te Waka Toi Funding page.

Māori present a unique perspective of their culture through their arts. This is also the case for other indigenous cultures. Exchanging ideas and techniques with other indigenous cultures highlights the value of indigenous arts and affirms the evolution of their artforms.

Types of activities we fund

• Māori participating in international arts festivals and exhibitions, cultural exchanges or art symposiums
• indigenous artists from another country wishing to travel to Aotearoa to share their knowledge and culture.

Types of activities we can't fund

If you haven't already checked whether your project is eligible for funding, please work your way through Step 1: Can I apply?

Assessment criteria

Your application will be assessed against the following criteria. To read about the application assessment process, go to our FAQs.

1: Good project planning

A strong application will provide a thorough project plan. Please refer to the Application Workbook supplement.

2: Specific programme criteria

A strong application will provide evidence of:

• how the project will strengthen links between tāngata whenua artists and the indigenous peoples of the Pacific and other nations
• the artistic merit of the work
• involvement of experienced arts practitioner/s
• the project's potential to develop artform/s*
• opportunities for artists to share their knowledge and skills with others
• opportunities for artists to develop their skills
• opportunities for artists to exchange ideas and techniques with peoples of the Pacific and other nations.

* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.

Budget notes

A stong application will provide a detailed, realistic budget. Please refer to the Te Waka Toi FAQs.

Support material

For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook supplement.

Please include in your application a copy of the invitation from the host nation.

Please also supply two copies of recent letters of recommendation/support from kaumātua in your community or iwi runanga, and from the host nation.