New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, says a total of 264 groups and individuals have successfully applied for the Pacific Aotearoa Community Covid-19 Recovery Fund.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio speaks during the last general debate for the 52nd Parliament Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The money, $NZ2.95 million, is to support Pacific communities in their recovery efforts.
The minister said he is keen for Pacific communities to become "the authors of their own solutions in response to Covid-19."
The Fund provides grassroots initiatives which will give up to NZ$5,000 to groups who have a new idea.
Acceleration initiatives of up to NZ$10,000 for groups who have already tested ideas and have shown good results.
And then there are Lift-off initiatives - funding of up to $50,000 for groups with tested ideas and which are looking to collaborate with other community groups.