Introduction

We administer Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, Piki Ake! Kake Ake! New Zealand Oral History grants (the grants), which support community-based oral history projects that reflect diverse identities and perspectives.

Next funding round

The 2026 round will open on 2 June and close on 31 July 2026. The grants will now be offered every two years, so the next round after this one will be 2028.

We are grateful to the National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ) for arranging two online advice sessions (on 9 & 17 June) to support prospective applicants.

NOHANZ online advice sessions information

About the grants

The grants provide financial help for oral history projects that relate to the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and its close relationship with the Pacific.

The funding came from the Australian Sesquicentennial Gift Trust for Awards in Oral History in 1990 to honour 150 years since the signing of te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Previous recipients – Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, New Zealand Oral History Grants 

How much money you can get

Each round approximately $150,000 will be divided between the successful applicants, with each applicant generally receiving between $5,000 and $10,000 towards their project costs. Grants of up to $20,000 may be considered for projects of exceptional significance. 

How the grants are assessed

Applications are assessed by a committee comprising people from around the country who have a range of experience with oral history and oral traditions.

What the grants can be used for

Applicants’ eligibility

Grants may be made to individuals or groups with a community-led project. We will give preference to applicants who:

• have proven experience of successfully completing oral history projects, or
• have completed training in oral history, or
• are committed to completing training as part of the project or have experience in oral traditions.

What costs can be covered

Grants are given as a contribution towards the cost of recording interviews for oral history projects. They may be used to pay for training, travel and other expenses, such as having relevant photographs copied. Koha for participants (and also to acknowledge support from an oral history mentor) can be included in the application. Support for counselling or other follow-up support can also be applied for if the topic of the oral history topic is deemed sensitive. The grants may also support the purchase of good quality equipment for audio and/or video recording if your application includes a quote from a retailer.

What type of projects are eligible

• We welcome applications for oral history projects conducted in any language.
• Recordings of waiata, haka and karakia are eligible for support from this fund.
• Origin and journey stories of migrants and refugees living in Aotearoa are also very welcome.
• We ask that you provide an oral history abstract (similar to a time-coded description) in English to be deposited with the recording. Your oral history trainer will provide information on this process.
• Video recording is eligible for funding as a component of an oral history project, but neither video nor film projects, in themselves, are eligible for these grants.

Successful applicants are eligible to apply for the cost of a one-year subscription with the National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ). We encourage you to become a member of the Association as it’s a useful way to engage with other oral historians across the country.

Resources - National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ)

What the grants cannot be used for

• The grants cannot be used for projects that are eligible for funding from tertiary institutions. Similarly, they cannot be used for university theses.
• The grants cannot be generally used for funded institutions like museums unless they are largely run by volunteers and receive minimal funding from regional or national sources.
• Employees of our Ministry cannot apply.
• If you have already received a grant from this fund, you will not be eligible to apply for more funding until you have completed the previous project within the terms agreed.
• We recommend that applicants undertake no more than 10 interviews per project grant.
• The purchase of computers and stationery will not be funded.
• The grants are not intended to cover full-time salaries for the period of the project. However, a standard fee per interview will be considered at a rate dependent on the experience of the oral historian.
• Successful applicants are required to record their interviews using digital recording equipment only.
• We fund only the recording and abstracting of oral history interviews, not any further work required to develop subsequent exhibitions or publications. For example, if your application for a grant to record 10 interviews, transcribe them and publish a book using the material is successful, you will receive funding only for the recording of the interviews. However, upon request we may fund transcription for accessibility purposes. 
• No work is funded retrospectively.

Conditions for successful applicants

Timeframe

You are expected to complete the project within 18 months of receiving the grant. Consider whether you can meet this condition carefully before applying.

Deposit the recordings

You must deposit the original recordings in the Oral History and Sound Collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library. Alternatively, with our consent, you can deposit the recordings in another archival repository or pātaka that can maintain their integrity into the future. 

Recording agreements

For each interview you must provide an oral history recording agreement form signed by the person interviewed. This can specify interviewee preferences for giving access to their interview, including kaitiakitanga arrangements in perpetuity.

Oral history recording agreement — National Oral History Association of New Zealand

Oral history abstract

An oral history abstract for each interview must accompany recordings for deposit.

Abstracting oral history interviews: guidelines — National Library (PDF)

What happens if you are successful 

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to enter into a funding agreement with us. The panel may recommend awarding a different level of funding than what you applied for. If this happens, and it means your project is not feasible to deliver, you don’t have to accept the funding offer.

We will publish successful applications on the Manatū Taonga website including:

• the name of your group, collective or organisation
• the name of your project
• a short description of your project
• the amount awarded.

If you are successful, you must provide us with at least one midpoint progress report, and a final report upon completion of your project, including a summary of expenditure. If you do not meet these reporting requirements (as determined in your funding agreement), it will affect your ability to receive funding from us in the future.

How to apply

Applications open on 2 June 2026.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the grants, email us at [email protected]  or phone us on (04) 499-4229.