Lotto NZ is going local in a new campaign showcasing the mahi of everyday Kiwi achieving extraordinary things in their communities, with help from lottery funding. 

The new ‘Local Grants’ campaign will roll out across the country this week starring Lotto live draw veteran, Grant Kereama.

The campaign builds on Lotto’s previous ‘Kiwis helping Kiwis campaign’ and will spotlight the good work being done locally in communities across New Zealand.

Lotto NZ players have helped raised more than $376 million in lottery funding for local communities throughout New Zealand in 2023.

Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board, which is charged with distributing the funds raised, has local people on the ground in communities across the country, fielding and assessing applications for the sought-after funding. 

In the 2022/23 financial year alone, lottery funding helped around 4,000 groups made up of community, hapū and iwi across New Zealand – out of which more than 230 grants were awarded in the Bay of Plenty region.

Bay of Plenty's own Youth Development Trust received lottery funding to support their Ki Tai (To the Sea) programme for at-risk youth in Tauranga.

Trust Chairman, Craig Nees says the unique programme offers a variety of water sports and activities to help increase mental and physical well-being of local rangatahi, as well as knowledge of the environment, matauranga Māori and cultural heritage of Tauranga Moana. 

“Lottery funding plays a huge role in helping us share Ki Tai and our other programmes with schools and other youth organisations in the Bay of Plenty," says Craig.

Funding has also enabled us to establish Youth Central, a purpose-built gym and educational facility, and expand the number and range of values and fitness-based programmes which is making a huge difference in the lives of many local youth,” he said.

Lotto NZ Chief Executive, Jason Delamore says the campaign is a way of celebrating and acknowledging the impact of community funding.

“Since the first live Lotto draw back in 1987, our players have helped raise more than $5.9 billion for distribution to thousands of local projects and organisations across New Zealand. 

“The Local Grants campaign is our way of saying thank you to our players for making this possible and showcasing some of the amazing outcomes that New Zealanders have achieved together,” says Jason.

Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board.