No. We support organisations at all stages, including those setting up their legal structure.
Yes SociaLink can, but you should instead get in touch with our Organisational Advisor.
Having the systems, governance, and financial processes in place to meet funder criteria and confidently apply for funding.
No. Members are welcome to attend as many workshops as are relevant to them.
Yes. Through our Poutama strand, we provide step‑by‑step support to develop and review funding applications. This includes creating funding plans, connecting with local community funders, refining budgets, and supporting grant writing.
Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu
With the right support, we will thrive
Strengthening kaupapa Māori for-purpose organisations to grow, connect, and thrive
Whakamana Tangata exists to strengthen the capability and sustainability of kaupapa Māori organisations across the Western Bay of Plenty. We provide practical, hands-on organisational support and funding guidance tailored to the needs of each organisation.
What:
Whakamana Tangata offers a tailored support programme through four service strands:
Why:
Our purpose is to see kaupapa Māori organisations thrive, recognising that when Māori organisations thrive, the people and communities they serve thrive too.
Who it’s for:
We support small to medium for-purpose (not-for-profit) kaupapa Māori organisations that work for the benefit of Māori communities, including our whānau, hapū, and iwi. We work with both established organisations seeking to strengthen and refine their systems, and newly formed organisations at early stages of development.
[Note: If your organisation is not a kaupapa Māori for-purpose organisation, you can get help from SociaLink’s Organisational Advisor instead].
Cost:
Free. Some training courses may have a small fee.
Kairuruku
As Senior Coordinator of Whakamana Tangata, Waiaria feels privileged to support Māori communities in navigating the funding landscape, offering guidance and resources to help them achieve their goals.
Click to view Waiaria’s bio.
Kairuruku
Paula brings experience in small business, facilitation, and coaching to support Māori community organisations. She’s passionate about helping groups build strong systems and navigate funding processes step by step
Click to view Paula’s bio.
Our Hapū have found it frustrating to identify funding pathways to support our kaupapa and this programme has been a great help.
– Tuapiro Marae
Getting set up as a charitable trust, and helping us to write our trust deed – the team gave us advice and encouraged us to press on and achieve our goals as a board.
– Nga Matarae Anamata Trust
They connected us with staff in TECT and BayTrust and started the initial contact with funders and the staff. They were there at our first meeting to introduce us and to help [the funders] understand what we are doing so that we can find the best way forward. We have maintained really good relationships with them [Whakamana Tangata and SociaLink] and they have been really helpful in putting funding applications forward.
– Anonymous (Momentum Research & Evaluation)
One thing I valued with SociaLink were the Māori staff they have there. They have a Māori kaupapa around assisting Māori applicants.
– Anonymous (Momentum Research & Evaluation)
Navigating funding can be complex and daunting. To bridge the gap, SociaLink’s Whakamana Tangata programme hosted Angitū, a seven-week series connecting 99 Western Bay of Plenty attendees directly with major regional funders. Through direct dialogue and mutual learning, the initiative helped demystify funding processes while empowering local marae to pursue their kaupapa with confidence.
