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Fact Sheet - Local Government & Community Branch, DIA

The Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs strives to build strong sustainable communities, hapü and iwi through its many and various services.

Our Branch goals are to be known as:

  • Government’s experts in local government, and community, hapū, and iwi development;
  • The leader in the Government’s relationship with local government; and
  • Government’s preferred administrator of community grant funding.

 

Services

Community Advisory Services help community or voluntary groups find the skills and resources they need to create positive changes within their community.

Community Development Advisors, based in 16 offices across the country, work with community, iwi and hapū members to support their development projects.  They bring local government, businesses, and other government agencies together to focus on the needs of communities.  They provide information community, iwi and hapū members need to advance their own development.

CommunityNet Aotearoa offers access to relevant, quality information and encourages information sharing between community organisations.  Community Net Aotearoa is maintained by the Department as a community service. 
See www.community.net.nz

Local Government and Community Policy provides advice to the Ministers of Local Government, Community and Voluntary Sector and the Government.  The team:

  • provides policy advice to Ministers including specific responsibilities in respect of the newly established Charities Commission;
  • provides policy advice to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee on local Bills;
  • administers Acts and Regulations on behalf of the Minister of Local Government;
  • provides strategic advice to the Lottery Grants Board, and
  • works closely with other Government Departments that are involved with the both Local Government and the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The Local/Central Government Interface Facilitation Team assists contact between local authorities and central government agencies involved in the Community Outcomes Processes.
 

Community Funding

Information on community funding administered by the Local Government and Community Branch is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website, www.dia.govt.nz or www.cdgo.govt.nz.  For funding from diverse sources see also www.fis.org.nz


Administration of Grants

The Branch administers nine Crown and eight non-Crown funding schemes. Funds to be allocated in 2005/06 are detailed below.

Crown Funded Schemes

  • Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) ($12.355 million) – grants for community organisations.
  • Community Partnerships Fund ($20.7 million over the next four years) – a Digital Strategy initiative to support the development of community partnerships that will improve people’s capability and skills to use ICT and develop digital content.
  • Community Development Scheme ($1.880 million in 2005/6 and $2.15 million in 2006/07 years) – salaries for community development workers.
  • Community Internship Programme ($0.300 million) – provides for the placement of interns in community organisations.
  • Crime Prevention Community Project Worker Scheme ($0.207 million) – salaries for youth development initiatives.
  • Youth Development Fund ($0.473 million) – funding for youth development projects for youth at risk.
  • Youth Work Training Scheme ($0.200 million) – provides training opportunities for youth workers.
  • Māori Community Development Workers ($0.200 million) – funds community development work in Māori communities.
  • Support for Volunteering ($0.450 million) – projects to support local volunteer centres.

Non-Crown Funded Schemes

  • Winston Churchill Memorial Trust ($0.100 million) – fellowships for short-term practical research projects.
  • Norman Kirk Memorial Trust ($0.045 million) – funding for individuals and groups in New Zealand and South Pacific.
  • Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust ($0.250 million) – funding to support the promotion and maintenance of Chinese culture and history in New Zealand.
  • Lottery Grants Board Grants to Statutory Bodies ($56.318 million) – grants to Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Film Commission, Sport and Recreation New Zealand (formerly the Hillary Commission) and New Zealand Film Archive.
  • Lottery Grants Board Grants to Community Organisations ($39.587 million) – distribution committees make grants to community organisations, with administrative support provided by the Department.
  • Minister of Internal Affairs’ Lottery Grants Discretionary Fund ($0.150 million) – discretionary grants outside the scope of the distribution committees.
  • Peace and Disarmament Education Trust ($0.190 million) – funds projects that promote sustainable development in the South Pacific.
  • Pacific Development and Conservation Trust ($0.310 million) – makes grants to support education and research to promote peace.

 

For more information

For more information on all Local Government and Community Branch services see www.dia.govt.nz
or call 0800 824 824.

Local Government and Community Branch
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 805
46 Waring Taylor Street
Wellington

November 2005