4/06/2025
E Stokes
[FYI request #30755 email]
Tēnā koe Mr Stokes
OIA: 1346473 – Funding allocated to Voice of Aroha over past five years
Thank you for your email of 17 April 2025 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the
following information:
1) Total funding allocated to Voices of Aroha over the past five years, with the description of
each grant.
2) Funding allocated for the recent Academic Awards, hosted in associated with Voices of
Aroha. Please provide an explanation of how this was funded - ex. Did VoA receive
money, and then arrange the event? Or merely receive payment for hosting a MoE
event.
2a) Any event proposal, initial comms, regarding this event.
2b) A funding application, if applicable.
2c) The rationale behind this event.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
In response to
part one of your request, the total funding provided by the Ministry to Voice of
Aroha over the past five years is $90,000. For a description of each grant, please refer to
Table one below.
Regarding
part two of your request, Voice of Aroha sent an event proposal and worked together
with the Ministry’s local Senior Advisor Community Partnerships to coordinate and host the
Academic Awards event. Al communication with the schools, students’ nominations, confirmation
of event details and arrangement of school venues for the event was managed by the Ministry’s
Senior Advisor. Voice of Aroha coordinated all other details for the event, including catering, MC
for the event, certificates, feedback forms and connection with guest speakers.
In response to
parts 2a and 2b of your request, I am releasing the event proposal document to
you in part as
Appendix A, with some information withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to
protect the privacy of natural persons. This document comprises both the proposal and the funding
application. Please note that there was no specific funding application form.
8 Gilmer Terrace, Levels Ground floor, 1, 2, and 6-14, Wellington
PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
As required under section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered the public interest in releasing the
information withheld. I do not consider that the public interest considerations favouring the release
of this information are sufficient to outweigh the need to withhold it at this time.
The rationale for the Academic Awards event, per
part 2c of your request, was to recognise and
uplift student achievements, leadership and service, and foster a sense of pride and
accomplishment within our ethnic and culturally diverse communities. This coming together of
students, their families and schools celebrates their collective effort that drives learners’ success.
The intent was to provide a platform for students to feel celebrated, seen and motivated so that
they continue to be present, participate and progress.
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details will be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Christina Goodall
Acting General Manager, Ākonga and Community Outcomes
Te Mahau | Te Pae Aronui (Operations and Integration)
OIA: 1346473
Table one. Description of Ministry of Education funding to Voice of Aroha
Year
Names of
Description
Amount
Programmes
granted
2023
Loss of
Loss of Learning Programme provided academic support
$40,000
Learning
to students, including catch-up learning programmes to
gain school NCEA qualifications. This initiative also aimed
to provide pastoral care and activities to promote
wellbeing and self-care.
2024
Ethnic
Ethnic Student Success in Wellington and Palmerston
$30,000
Student
North supported the outcomes for learners from ethnic
Success
and CALD backgrounds to experience education and
success where their identity, language and culture are
valued and their wellbeing supported. This included
recognising their academic achievements, leadership and
service, fostering a sense of community pride.
The programme involves four events, two
Academic
Awards events and two
Emerging Ethnic Leaders’
Breakfast events.
2025
Ethnic
Ethnic Student Success in Wellington and Palmerston
$20,000
Student
North supported the outcomes for learners from ethnic
Success
and CALD backgrounds to experience education and
success where their identity, language and culture are
valued and their wellbeing supported. This includes
recognising their academic achievements, leadership and
service, fostering a sense of community pride.
The programme involves four events, two
Academic
Awards events and two
Emerging Ethnic Leaders’
Breakfast events.
OIA: 1346473
