On this page
- About the Community Development team
- Support for Community-Led Projects
- Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ)
- Advocacy and Strategic Relationships
- Grants and Funding
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:
- Supporting community-led initiatives and groups
- Delivering the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme
- Building strategic relationships and advocating on behalf of the Mackenzie District
- 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.
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
Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ)
The 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
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
Grants and Funding
We administer a number of local and national grant schemes, including:
- Community Board Grants (Fairlie, Tekapō, Twizel)
- Creative Communities Scheme
- Genesis Tekapō Township Fund
- Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund
We also maintain the Mackenzie Grant Finder, a searchable database of local and external funding opportunities.
