Airport Grants Help Connect Community

FIFTEEN Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago organisations are benefiting from Queenstown Airport’s 2026 ZQN Community Fund grants. Spread across a wide area, the priority for the $50,080 fund has been “support for families in need, young people and projects that build community connections”, partnerships and marketing manager Vanessa Hartnell says. The fund reflects the airport’s broader sustainability objectives and is administered by the 45South Community Foundation. Fifty applications were assessed by representatives from Queenstown Airport, the local council and the community fund. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of last year’s grants, and we’re pleased to be helping another range of wonderful initiatives,” Hartnell says. Whakatipu recipients include Whakatipu Youth Trust — $4970 for ‘seasons for growth’ workshops for teens — and Baskets of Blessing Charitable Trust — $5000 for a critical electrical upgrade. Lightfoot Initiative Charitable Trust receives $3000 for storage for its OneBike project and Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country Community Association’s given $4000 towards a new Lake Hayes Estate playground. Japanese Family Society of Queenstown is granted $3000 for drums for its Taiko Club and Queenstown Association of Migrant Pinoys receives $3000 for social support for Filipino migrants. Arrowtown Primary School’s granted $1610 for poi to strengthen engagement with te ao Maori, and Central Otago Living Options receives $3000 for a winter wellness programme supporting people with intellectual and physical disabilities. STORY PUBLISHED BY MOUNTAIN SCENE 4/June/2026