NSTP Partnership Fund

The National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP) Partnership Fund supports museums, galleries, cultural organisations, and kaitiaki to work together on projects that strengthen the care and accessibility of taonga and collections. 

This fund supports applications which address shared challenges, develop capability, access specialist expertise, or deliver projects with wider sector benefit.

This fund provides up to $5,000 (incl. GST) for projects that have defined goals and timeframes and are developed in consultation with partnering organisations.  

The next funding round opens on 1 September 2026 and closes on 18 September 2026. 

Eligibility

We welcome applications from museums, galleries, and iwi, hapū and kaitiaki caring for taonga. 

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• represent a legally constituted non-profit organisation, such as an incorporated society, charitable trust, or iwi authority 

• demonstrate a clear project purpose and intended outcomes 

• have the capacity to deliver the proposed project within the funding period 

• demonstrate how the project will contribute to wider sector, regional, organisational or collection outcomes

• apply with projects, or specific outcomes, which have not already received funding in the current financial year (1 July - 30 June).

What can be funded? 

The Fund will prioritise projects which: 

• Improve the care, preservation, accessibility, sustainability, and resilience of collections and taonga 

• build capability through knowledge sharing, mentoring, research, and access to specialist expertise 

• strengthen collaboration, partnerships, and shared approaches across organisations and regions

• advance mana taonga, mana motuhake, Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships, and sustainable and ethical collection management practices 

• strengthen disaster preparedness, resilience, and response capability

• develop resources, tools, guidance, or initiatives that create lasting benefits for the wider sector, including educational outcomes. 

Activities the Fund can't support 

• operational and employment costs already in place, or unrelated to the project 

• costs that have already been incurred or projects that have already been completed 

• capital projects or activities that are primarily for the benefit of one organisation 

• activities that do not align with current museum, collection or cultural heritage ethics and good practice 

• projects that primarily support your own organisation. (Our Helping Hands Grant may be an alternative source of funding) 

• projects led by sector networks and membership-based organisations whose primary role is network coordination 

• costs already fully funded through another source. 

Funding cannot be used for activities outside the approved project without prior agreement from NSTP. 

Before you apply

Funding is contestable. Ensure your application is clearly defined, aligns with the fund’s priorities, and has been developed in consultation with partnering organisations. 

Your application should demonstrate: 

• meaningful and sustainable outcomes for collections, taonga, and cultural heritage 

• collaboration, partnership, and tangible benefits 

• good value for money, a clear and achievable approach, timeline and budget 

• opportunities to share knowledge, resources, or expertise across the sector 

• benefits that continue beyond the funded period. 

Applying in partnership

One eligible organisation must submit the application and take responsibility for the project and reporting requirements.  

Partnering organisations must provide a short statement of support. 

Data, copyright, IP and ethics 

When planning your project, consider any requirements relating to: 

• confidentiality requirements of project partners 

• copyright and Intellectual Property of project output 

• tikanga and Māori taonga data sovereignty 

• applicable code of ethics.

How applications are assessed 

Applications are assessed in a contestable process by an advisory panel that includes external advisors. 

Funding is limited. Applications will be considered against the programme’s priorities, anticipated outcomes, collaboration and sector benefit, feasibility, and value for money.  

Projects involving multiple organisations, shared outcomes, regional collaboration, knowledge exchange or resources that can be shared with others may be prioritised. 

 All decisions made by our assessment panel are final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 

Funding rounds 

Two funding rounds are offered each financial year (1 July – 30 June). Up to 7 projects may be funded in each funding round through a contestable review. 

Projects should generally be completed within the relevant funding period.  

Projects that extend beyond a single financial year may be considered where there is a strong strategic rationale, a clear project plan, and long-term benefit. Funding approval applies only to the approved stage of a project and does not guarantee future funding.

Round One 

Round Two

How to apply 

Complete the application form below, then email it with your supporting documentation to NSTPpartnership@tepapa.govt.nz 

 Applications must be received by the closing date for the relevant funding round. 

Receiving your funding 

If your application is successful, we will provide instructions on how to invoice Te Papa, including a purchase order number. 

The invoice must come from the successful applicant organisation. NSTP is unable to pay suppliers directly. 

Funding should be used only for the approved project and within the approved funding period. Any significant changes to the approved project or budget should be discussed with NSTP before the expenditure is incurred. 

You may be asked to provide receipts, invoices or other evidence of expenditure as part of the reporting process.

Reporting 

Reporting requirements are intentionally light-touch and focused on outcomes.  

Successful applicants will be asked to provide: 

• a brief summary of project activities 

• key achievements and outcomes for all partnering organisations, including a short statement from partnering organisations 

• evidence of project impact 

• lessons learned and resources developed 

• opportunities for future collaboration or wider sector use, where relevant.

Where appropriate, NSTP may share project outcomes to help benefit the wider sector.

Acknowledging our support 

If your application is successful, we will ask you to acknowledge the support received from National Services Te Paerangi. We will provide you with our logo and usage guidelines for this purpose.

Please send a copy of any resource, publication, event or public-facing output which references National Services Te Paerangi for approval before publication. 

Contact us 

If you have questions about the NSTP Partnership Programme or would like to discuss whether your project is suitable, please contact National Services Te Paerangi before applying. 

Phone: 0508 678 743 

Email: NSTPpartnership@tepapa.govt.nz