Funding

Please download and save your own copy of this budget template to submit with your application.

In 2027, the following funding pools are available to apply for.

Kākano Funding– Supported by Wellington City Council
Fatu Funding – supported by Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Strategy

WHAT IS KĀKANO FUNDING?

With the support of Wellington City Council, Kākano funding directly supports Wellington-based artists to develop and create innovative work in Wellington.

The funding can be used to support the creative development and production of new work, cover production resources, and pay cast and crew the current Living Wage of $29.90 per hour.

For 2027, projects can apply for funding to cover up to 50 hours per person at the current Living Wage rate of $29.90 per hour. Projects with multiple cast members can apply for a maximum of 200 hours of Kākano funding per application ($5,980). Solo projects can apply for up to 100 hours in total ($2,990). Funded hours can be allocated across cast and crew. Funding is subject to eligibility and approval, and the maximum hours are not guaranteed.

WHAT IS FATU FUNDING?

FATU Funding is aimed to support our emerging Pasifika artists with support from CNZ Pacific Arts Strategy.

This year’s funding will be focused on support for our up-and-coming NZ Fringe Pasifika Artists; be it poets, comics, performance artists, playwrights, songwriters or digital and film artists. Fringe will assemble a panel of Pasifika artists to assess all applications and appoint funds to our successfully awarded artists.

WHEN IS IT?

Tuesday 27 October 2026 – Applications open

Friday 20 November 2026 – Applications close (5 pm)

Friday 18 December 2026 – Results of funding notified

Thursday 7 Jan 2027 – Payments made if signed contract is received as outlined in contract

Thursday 1 April 2027 – Funding report due

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

In order to be eligible to apply for funding:

Your event must be registered in NZ Fringe 2027 and have paid in full your registration fee.
You must be a permanent New Zealand resident or citizen of New Zealand (we may ask for proof of this).
Kākano artists must be Wellington based.
Your project or production must be a new work that is premiering at NZ Fringe 2027 – it can have been presented elsewhere previously, but this must be its Wellington premiere.
For Kākano you must not have received Wellington City Council funding for this aspect of the project. This includes Creative Communities funding from Council. The same applies for FATU Funding and Creative Communities in regards to CNZ Funding. You must accept one or the other. You cannot accept both.
Your application must be submitted via the Artist Portal no later than 5pm Friday 20th November 2026.
Agree to terms and conditions

All information and budgets provided to the NZ Fringe team are to be truthful and accurate.
NO allocated funding is to be used for any expenses, other than those stated in the application, unless with prior arrangement in writing from NZ Fringe Festival.
Full reporting to be supplied to NZ Fringe by the 1 of April 2027 including proof of payments allocated. Any funds not spent on the aforementioned allocation, will be returnable to NZ Fringe Festival.
Applicants and all beneficiaries must be permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand. Proof of eligibility may be required at any stage of the process. Artists must be Wellington based for Kākano funding.
NZ Fringe reserves the right to request an audit of fund usage.
Grant recipients must acknowledge CCAT and Wellington City Council for Kākano funding & Creative New Zealand for Fatu funding as supporters in all promotional and presentation materials related to the funded project.
Full contracted terms and conditions will be provided in the funding contract.

WHAT KIND OF STUFF DO I NEED TO GIVE YOU?

Your 2027 application will be submitted using an online form in the Funding tab of the Artist Portal and must consist of the following:

The idea or kaupapa (500 words max). Describe exactly what the project is.
The process for the development of the work.
The people involved in the project – a summary of their role on the project and their past experience.
A description of how the work challenges those involved and is original, innovative or experimental.
A marketing and publicity plan, including identification of the type of audience you hope to attract, and your plan for promoting your event to this audience.
Budget, including proposed expenditure, and expected income. Please note – it is OK to include fees for those involved in the production.
- FATU funding applications do not require budgets.

A budget template is included in the artist resources on the Fringe.co.nz website and you are encouraged to contact the Fringe team for advice or feedback on your budget and application. You are not required to use this template, provided your budget clearly outlines your projected income and expenditure and aligns with the information in your application.

Funding priorities for Kākano Funding in 2027 include but are not limited to:

Works who have budgeted personnel costs according to Living wage (min $29.90p/h)
Accessibility – e.g. funding towards working with an interpreter, making space physically accessible, or making it possible for your production to put on a relaxed performance.
Outdoor, free and or koha work.
Development of new work in Wellington
Supporting artists in the first decade of their career

If you’re unsure if your project meets the criteria for funding contact the Fringe team for advice or feedback.

WHEN DO I FIND OUT IF I AM SUCCESSFUL?

A panel of independent industry representatives will meet to assess all eligible applications after the application closing date of 20th Nov 2026. All applicants (whether successful or not) will be notified of the outcome of their application by 18 December 2026. If you are successful in obtaining a grant and signing your agreement by the required deadline stated in your funding offer, funding will be distributed to you after Christmas on the 7th January. If we have not received your agreement to the conditions of the grant by the initial requested January deadline, your funding will be distributed in late January 2027. The cut-off for acceptance is 17th January 2027.

HOW DO I APPLY?

2027 applications are now open. The funding application is located in the Funding tab of the Artist Portal. Access links and login details to the Artist Portal have been sent to the main contact person on your Eventotron registration. If they have not received the links for the Artist Portal please get in touch with participants@fringe.co.nz.

CAN I GET HELP?

Of course, you can! The NZ Fringe team is here to help and is always (within business hours) available to give you advice and feedback about your application (before the submission date), answer questions about your application, and help you with your budget.

We also host budget workshops and budget drop-in sessions before the season begins which will be listed on the Artist Portal.

We recommend you submit your budget for review as this is often the part that disqualifies otherwise excellent applications. If you would like written feedback on your budget please email participants@fringe.co.nz by 5pm Tuesday 17 November.

Call the Fringe team for advice on (04) 2124725 or email participants@fringe.co.nz.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

It’s good to keep your application to the point as the panel will have just one week to read and assess all the applications.

Make sure your application says exactly what your show is and include any facts. If your show is two women up a tree reading different Fay Weldon novels simultaneously out loud, then say that in your application. The panel needs to know what you’re doing and why you need funding, so don’t just copy and paste your programme blurb or media release. Write your answers specific to the questions in the application.

When applying for funding, your budget should clearly demonstrate why the funding is needed. If your budget shows a significant surplus without funding, it may suggest that you don’t need the funding. On the other hand, if your budget still shows a significant deficit after including the funding, it may suggest that your project or organisation is not financially sustainable.

Aim to present a realistic budget that balances once the requested funding is included. This shows that the funding is necessary and will help you cover your costs sustainably.

Remember a key priority of the funding is to pay artists so include your team and the hours they are expecting. Be realistic about what you can afford to pay people too. Don’t over-inflate fees to the company to get more money, the panel will notice that.

If you are unsure of any aspect of your application contact participants@fringe.co.nz for advice. We’re here to help!