Mātātuhi Foundation

The Mātātuhi Foundation is a New Zealand literary grant-giving organisation established in 2018 by the Auckland Writers Festival. Its stated kaupapa (purpose) is to strengthen and develop the literary landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand. It pursues this by funding projects that grow awareness and readership of New Zealand books and writers, increase engagement with New Zealand children's literature, and build access to and awareness of New Zealand's literary heritage. The Foundation operates as an independent entity, separate from the Auckland Writers Festival Trust, although it was founded by the Festival. It is governed by a Committee that includes three independent members alongside the Festival Trust Board Chair and the Festival Director. Committee members have included figures from the New Zealand literary sector such as writer Paula Morris and literary editor Mark Broatch. The Foundation's core activity is seed funding for innovative literary projects. It runs an annual funding round with published close-off dates and accepts applications through an online form. It maintains a project showcase to demonstrate the kinds of projects it has funded, why they were funded, and their impact on the Aotearoa literary landscape. The Foundation positions itself as a supporter of New Zealand literary innovators seeking to help writers increase their reach and engagement with New Zealand readers. As a grant-giving body rather than a commercial publisher or retailer, the Mātātuhi Foundation occupies a philanthropic niche within the New Zealand book sector. Its work is directed at the ecosystem around books and reading: platforms for writers, children's literature engagement, and literary legacy. It is based in Auckland and operates nationally across New Zealand.

The Mātātuhi Foundation was established in 2018 by the Auckland Writers Festival. Its founding purpose was to support the growth and development of New Zealand's literary landscape. From its inception, the Foundation has operated as an independent grant-giving body, separate from the Auckland Writers Festival Trust, though it maintains a governance link through a Committee that includes the Festival Trust Board Chair and the Festival Director alongside three independent members. The Foundation's work is organised around three objectives: developing sustainable literary platforms that grow awareness and readership of New Zealand books and writers; increasing engagement with New Zealand children's literature; and building access to and awareness of New Zealand's literary legacy. It funds projects that have the potential to achieve at least one of these objectives. Since its establishment, the Foundation has run annual funding rounds, inviting New Zealand literary innovators to apply for seed funding. It publishes close-off dates and accepts applications online. It also maintains a project showcase to illustrate the kinds of projects it has funded and their impact. The Foundation's Committee has included prominent figures in New Zealand literature, such as writer Paula Morris and literary editor Mark Broatch, reflecting its close ties to the country's literary community.

• 2018

  Mātātuhi Foundation established by the Auckland Writers Festival.

• Annual funding rounds for NZ literary projects established.

A philanthropic foundation supporting the development of New Zealand's literary landscape through targeted grants.

• Literary project grants

  Seed funding for projects that grow awareness and readership, engage young readers, or preserve literary legacy.

1. 1Support, Funding & Grants For NZ Writers | The Mātātuhi Foundationmatatuhifoundation.co.nz
2. 2Funding & Grants For Writers In NZ — The Mātātuhi Foundationmatatuhifoundation.co.nz
3. 3Mātātuhi Foundationwikidata.org