The Pacific Languages Community Fund was established in 2020 to support community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand to learn, use, and celebrate their Pacific languages.
Pacific languages are central to identity, belonging, and wellbeing. This fund empowers communities to lead initiatives that revitalise and sustain their languages for future generations.
Applications are now closed for 2025/26 funding.
This year, a total of $1.305 million is available, with funding offered at three levels to suit projects of all sizes - from smaller initiatives under $20,000 to larger initiatives up to $100,000.
We looked for projects that help communities learn or strengthen Pacific languages, that engage youth under 30, and that reflect the priorities and traditions of the people they serve.
Applications closed at 12pm on Friday 28 November 2025, with successful projects running from January to October 2026.
Over the past five years, hundreds of community groups have received support through community languages funding. Each year, the fund backs a diverse range of projects that:
This has supported the development of new resources, community language classes, language learning through arts, culture, and sports, and support for intergenerational language learning.
Projects can range from grassroots community efforts to large-scale signature initiatives.