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Community Development

Supporting community-driven projects and initiatives in the Mackenzie District.

Community Development

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About the Community Development team

The Community Development team at Mackenzie District Council is here to help build strong, connected communities. We focus on four key areas:

  1. Supporting community-led initiatives and groups
  2. Delivering the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme
  3. Building strategic relationships and advocating on behalf of the Mackenzie District
  4. Managing council-controlled grants and helping groups access external funding

We’re a small team passionate about making Mackenzie a great place to live, work, and thrive. If you’re part of a group or have a project in mind, we’re here to help. You can contact our team directly or read on to see how we can support you.

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Support for Community-Led Projects

If you are a part of a community group or working on a charitable initiative, we can help you:

  • Apply for funding
  • Engage with Council services
  • Plan events or community projects
  • Strengthen governance or establish a legal entity

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Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ)

Mackenzie MTFJ logoThe Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme helps young people overcome barriers to employment. With facilitators based in Twizel and Fairlie, we provide one-on-one mentoring and practical support including:

  • Job readiness coaching
  • Help with driver licensing
  • Assistance accessing relevant training

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Advocacy and Strategic Relationships

We actively advocate for the Mackenzie community with central government, NGOs, and sector partners. Our recent environmental scan identified key areas for focus:

  • Youth development
  • Housing
  • Health
  • Older adults
  • Migrant workers in Tekapō
  • Improved access to social services

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Grants and Funding

We administer a number of local and national grant schemes, including:

We also maintain the Mackenzie Grant Finder, a searchable database of local and external funding opportunities.

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