Twelve Days of Christmas

Oke builds fully equipped outdoor classrooms in primary and intermediate schools, giving tamariki hands-on ways to learn, grow and thrive. The grant will help expand their work across South Auckland, supporting outdoor learning spaces that bring together teachers, students and whānau. With over 70 school partnerships already, Oke continues to grow futures — not just gardens.

Ōtara Waterways and Lake Trust restores and protects streams and lakes across Ōtara and Flat Bush while empowering communities to care for their environment. The grant will fund 2,000 native plants for priority restoration sites and support redevelopment of their outdated website to reconnect volunteers and local whānau. This work improves water quality, reduces flooding risks and strengthens environmental action across South Auckland.

The Kindness Collective connects children and families with essentials, food, warmth and moments of joy through its busy Ōtāhuhu hub and Christmas Joy Store. The grant will help support thousands of South Auckland whānau who rely on the Joy Store to choose gifts, food and treats they otherwise could not access. With referrals coming from nearly 300 community organisations, this support ensures families feel seen, supported and cared for at Christmas.

Papakura Budgeting Service provides free, expert financial mentoring and advocacy to individuals and whānau facing financial hardship. The grant will help launch Rangatahi Straight Up, a new programme supporting young people aged 18–25 to build financial capability and reduce debt stress. With many rangatahi facing employment barriers and low financial literacy, this initiative offers practical tools for long-term wellbeing.

The Catalytic Foundation provides essentials, gifts and practical support to charities working with whānau experiencing hardship. The Christmas Shoebox Project delivers gifts and necessities to South Auckland families connected to schools, budgeting services, foodbanks and support agencies. This grant will help ensure more children and caregivers receive warmth, dignity and joy during the festive season.

Brainwave Trust shares accessible, research-based knowledge about child and youth brain development to support healthy relationships and learning. Their programmes reach South Auckland schools, young parent units and community hubs, equipping rangatahi and whānau with tools that strengthen wellbeing. The grant will help expand these sessions so more families benefit from evidence-based guidance during the crucial early years.

Woven Earth helps family violence survivors rebuild safe, dignified lives by fully furnishing homes for whānau starting again. The grant will support the 43 South Auckland families they help each year, many of whom arrive with nothing after fleeing harm. By transforming an empty house into a home, Woven Earth restores stability, comfort and the sense of hope every family deserves.

PHAB empowers people with disabilities through weekly social groups where members choose activities that build skills, confidence and community connection. The grant will support inclusive outings and experiences for South Auckland members, helping them learn practical skills like budgeting, shopping and using public transport. These activities create visibility, foster independence and make community spaces more welcoming for everyone.

Kootuitui ki Papakura works to improve long-term outcomes for young people through education, health, whānau support and financial wellbeing programmes. This funding will help establish a dedicated counselling space offering free, culturally grounded support for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi. The new environment will provide a safe, inviting and youth-friendly hub that strengthens resilience and belonging.

Well Women supports mothers experiencing antenatal or postnatal anxiety and distress, ensuring no māmā walks their recovery journey alone. The grant will help deliver facilitated peer-support groups across South Auckland, including free childcare so mothers can fully participate. These groups provide connection, practical strategies and hope, guided by trained facilitators with lived experience.