Tukua is the name for the Tupu Tonu disbursements programme and means ‘to give with integrity’. Every year, Tupu Tonu sets aside a portion of its annual investment returns to provide grants to Ngāpuhi hapū, marae and rōpū (organisations). Tupu Tonu has completed two previous rounds of Tukua. The third round is now closed for applications.

When Tupu Tonu was established, it was decided that a portion of annual investment returns ought to be made available to Ngāpuhi hapū and uri. This was to provide immediate to support while negotiations were underway and to demonstrate the type of benefits that come from a commercial investment fund.

The third round comprises funds available for disbursement from the 2023/24 financial year. The round opened on Friday 15 November 2024 and closed to applications on Friday 17 January 2025. Applications will now be assessed and decisions made by end of February 2025.

The third round of Tukua will primarily focus on capacity and capability-building for Ngāpuhi hapū, marae and rōpū. Funding will also be made available, to a limited extent, for social and cultural development. Supporting Ngāpuhi capacity and capability-building is intended to support the Treaty negotiations process.

For the third Tukua round, Tupu Tonu has $750,000 available in total. Tupu Tonu is seeking applications for grants up to $30,000.

Applications will first be considered by a panel comprised of selected Ngāpuhi kaumātua and hapū  leaders. Each application will be assessed against the application criteria. Decisions on applications will be made by the Tupu Tonu Board.

Tupu Tonu disbursements will not impact on, any hapū Treaty of Waitangi (‘Wai’) claims. Disbursements are not “on account” of any future Treaty redress agreement between ngā hapū o Ngāpuhi and the Crown. Rather, they are intended to provide immediate support to hapū marae and rōpū while negotiations are underway and to demonstrate the type of benefits that could accrue from a commercial investment fund.