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Pacific Languages Community Fund

Pacific Languages Community Fund

The Pacific Languages Community Fund supports communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to lead initiatives that revitalise and sustain their languages for future generations.

Applications are now open for the Pacific Languages Community Fund, for the first round of 2026/27 funding.

Begin your application process on the Kātoatoa portal.

Before you apply, please

What the Pacific Languages Community Fund supports

The Pacific Languages Community Fund (PLCF) supports community-led initiatives that increase opportunities to learn and use Pacific languages, strengthen language use within families and communities, support language transmission between elders, parents, youth and children, create language resources and learning tools, and strengthen the long-term vitality of Pacific languages.

The PLCF supports a range of language learning initiatives including language classes, conversation groups, immersion activities, or family learning. This could include:

  • Learning across generations, led by speakers, elders, educators, or community leaders.
  • Youth-led language activities with meaningful roles for young people.
  • Language resources that are created and tested for a clear learning or use outcome.
  • Events, performances, or cultural activities where language learning and regular use are central.
  • Training that helps communities continue delivering language activities.

Eligible project costs  

PLCF funding can be used to cover:

  • Fees for tutors, facilitators, coordinators or specialists who work directly on the project. 
  • Venue and equipment hire.
  • Learning materials, resource production, and reasonable printing.
  • Promotion needed to recruit participants or reach the language community.
  • Reasonable food costs when food is needed to help people take part.
  • Administration and evaluation costs that are specific to the project.

Funding priorities

The Pacific Languages Community Fund is guided by the Pacific Languages Strategy 2022-2032. It supports community-led initiatives that strengthen, protect and promote Pacific languages across Aotearoa New Zealand. Applications will be prioritised for projects that:

  • support the use, revitalisation and intergenerational transmission of te gagana Tokelau, vagahau Niue and/or te reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani (Cook Islands Māori).
  • are delivered outside of Auckland and Wellington, particularly in regions where Pacific communities are smaller, dispersed, or emerging, and where there may be fewer opportunities to access language and cultural programmes.
  • increase Pacific language use between and across generations, creating opportunities for grandparents, parents, children, elders and young people to learn, speak and use their language.

Projects that align strongly with one or more of these priorities will be viewed favourably during the assessment process.

Funding information

For 2026/27, a total of $1.305 million is available, with funding offered at three tiers from smaller initiatives under $20,000 to larger initiatives up to $100,000.

  • Tier 1: $50,001 to $100,000.
  • Tier 2: $20,001 to $50,000
  • Tier 3: Up to $20,000

Funding will be distributed through two application rounds by 30 June 2027.

Who can apply

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, provide a project budget, meet at least one funding priority, and submit one application per funding round.

Previous PLCF recipients can apply provided you met all of your reporting requirements from your previously-funded initiative and you meet the current eligibility criteria.

Applications should be made to other funding sources or the scope of the project should be modified to fit the budget.

Projects should support ongoing language learning, language use and intergenerational transmission (languages being used between different generations) and should generally operate for between six and 12 months.

Projects can involve more than one Pacific language, where this supports the project objectives.

Collaborative proposals can involve partnerships between organisations and are encouraged where they strengthen project delivery and outcomes.

Key dates

Round 1 will close on 4 December 2026. Any applications received up until 12pm midday on this date will be part of Round 1.

Round 2 will close on 8 March 2027. Any applications received after 12pm midday on 4 December and before 12pm midday on 8 March 2027 will be part of Round 2.

There will be an additional funding round in the second half of 2027. Further information will be published here in due course.

Contact us

You can email the Ministry’s team at [email protected] or check out our frequently asked questions below.

Frequently asked questions

Applications are assessed by Ministry staff against eligibility requirements, published assessment criteria and fund priorities.

Check the Pacific Languages Community Fund assessment matrix (PDF, 261KB) for information on how criteria are assessed and weighted.

Find the full assessment criteria in the Pacific Languages Community Fund Application Guide (PDF, 637KB).

The PLCF does not fund: 

  • Costs from before approval or outside the agreed project period.
  • Ongoing administration or staff costs that are not directly linked to the project.
  • Debt, interest, fundraising costs, prize money or competition entry fees.
  • Building work, restoration, permanent facilities, or general asset purchases.
  • Equipment purchases, unless they are allowed and essential for delivery.
  • Commercial production, unrelated travel, or activities mainly outside the Fund’s purpose.
  • Education institutions including early learning, primary, secondary, and tertiary providers (funding for this sits in other sectors).
  • Academic research or other research activities.
  • Activities that are part of an organisation's normal operations, including Sunday schools.

No. Applications are assessed after each round closes and are considered alongside all other eligible applications.

Yes, new applicants are encouraged to apply.

Yes, but each application must be for a separate initiative. 

Yes, projects that are delivered both within and outside Auckland and Wellington may be eligible. However, priority may be given to projects that demonstrate a strong impact in regions outside of Auckland and Wellington, particularly where Pacific language communities are smaller, emerging, or have fewer opportunities to access language initiatives. 

Applicants should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that costs are reasonable and directly related to project delivery. See the Pacific Languages Community Fund Application Guide (PDF, 629KB) for details on the type of budget information required. 

No. A high number of applications are received each funding round. It’s expected to be oversubscribed and funding is competitive. 

Yes. Applicants may revise and improve their Round 1 application and resubmit for Round 2. You will get a letter stating the reasons why you did not receive the funding.

You will need to submit your application through the Ministry’s Kātoatoa online funding and grants management portal. Applications sent by email will not be assessed.

Read the Kātoatoa User Guide (PDF, 602KB) to find out how to create a log in and submit your application. If you have issues with accessing or navigating the portal you can email [email protected].