ŌAMARU COMMUNITY FUND.
At Mercury we care about supporting our local communities. Our team is spread throughout Aotearoa, but Ōamaru is home to one of our friendly, national contact centres. To help support the community where many of our wonderful people live, work and play, Mercury has created a community fund to give a helping hand to those who care for people, place and our future.
NOVEMBER 2026
OUR FUNDING SCHEDULE IS CHANGING
Mercury will continue to provide $15,000 each year through the Ōamaru Community Fund.
Following the November 2026 round, the next funding round will be held in May 2027, instead of March. Up to $5,000 will be available in that round, completing the transition from the previous three-round schedule.
From November 2027, funding rounds will be held twice a year, in May and November, with up to $7,500 available in each round.
FUNDING ROUNDS
Funding Round | Application period | Funding available |
|---|---|---|
November 2026 | 1-30 November 2026 | Up to $5,000 |
May 2027 | 1-31 May 2027 | Up to $,5000 |
November 2027 onward | May & November each year | Up to $7,500 per round |
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE MERCURY ŌAMARU COMMUNITY FUND?
FUNDED PROJECTS - JULY 2026
$750 towards annual running costs.
$1,440 towards indoor court hire.
$400 towards the purchase of first aid kits.
$1,404.00 to purchase generator and power-banks at Oamaru Hub.
$1,000 towards painting of hall.
CRITERIA
Applications must fall within the stipulated criteria to be considered:
- Applications must showcase a connection with ‘what’s important to us’.
- Expenses applied for must be incurred within New Zealand, with the exception of items purchased overseas that are not available in New Zealand.
- All grants must be applied to specific, future-based purposes.
- There must be no conflict of interest existing between the applicant group and the provider of the goods and services.
- Your community organisation based within the outlined area on the map (indicated on the application form).
- If funding is required towards general running costs (power, landline telephone, rates or building insurance) copies of invoices for the previous three months need to be supplied.
- Applications for existing salary positions must provide a signed employment contract clearly stating the term of the contract, employee’s name and rate of pay, together with a position description.
- We will not consider applications that request funding for: individuals or anything that is required to be carried-out as part of a government-funded contract.
OTHER INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Other information for applicants:
- Only one application per community organisation will be accepted per funding round, and eligible organisations are limited to two successful applications per calendar year.
- An evaluation panel made up of representatives from different teams and in different roles at Mercury considers all applications and decides who receives funding. This panel will change from round to round.
- Applicants may have their funding approved in full or in part at the sole discretion of Mercury.
- As a guideline for how much to apply for, each grant usually ranges from around $200 to $2,000.
- For more information, please email: oamarucommunityfund@mercury.co.nz