Advice for those whose currently funded projects have been affected by flooding

We understand that the flooding in the North Island has had devastating impacts on communities and homes. We know that this may also have an impact on your ability to deliver your project.

Note: this advice is about project funding grants – it does not relate to activities within our Tōtara and Kahikatea investment clients’ agreed programmes and budgets.

If you need to propose changes to your project as a result of the flooding in the North Island, please read the scenarios below. If your situation is not reflected here, please email us at funding@creativenz.govt.nz

We’ll then contact you to discuss.

We anticipate it will take us some time to be able to respond to everyone with affected projects, as well as those enquiring about our current funding rounds (see our funding calendar) so we appreciate your patience.

Scenario One

Due to the flooding in the North Island, the project I’ve already received Creative New Zealand funding for has been postponed, or, I wish to delay the project.

If you expect to still deliver your project and report within the contracted reporting time, there is no need to request an extension. 

For example, if your project completion date was 30 September, then your reporting deadline would be 30 November. If you are able to deliver your project and submit your report by 30 November, you don’t need to request an extension.

If you need further time, you can request an extension via our online portal. 

The total grant amount awarded for your project cannot be changed but budget lines (i.e. how you can spend the money/what you spend the money on) can be changed, with agreement from us. You’ll need to email us at funding@creativenz.govt.nz

Scenario Two

Due to the flooding in the North Island, the project I’ve already received Creative New Zealand funding for has been cancelled. 

If you have spent some of your grant that’s OK, but you will need to return any of the unspent amount to us if it is greater than 10% of the grant. For example, if you received $5,000 and the unspent amount is $500 or less, you will not need to return the unspent amount.

The following also applies:

• You should seek refunds for any costs that you have already incurred where possible. 
• You can reallocate your grant to honour personnel costs or contracts with freelancers and artists who would have been involved with delivering your project. Please let us know in advance if you intend to do this.
• You can reallocate some of your grant to lost income if the projected income was listed in your application budget. You can deduct this from funds that may need to be returned.
• You’ll need to explain any differences from your original budget as part of your project completion report.

Scenario Three

I’m facing changing costs for my project due to the flooding in the North Island but plan to go ahead with the project.

We appreciate that costs and ways of delivering projects are significantly changing. The grant amount awarded for your project cannot be changed but budget lines (i.e how you can spend the money/what you spend the money on) can be changed, with agreement from us. You’ll need to email us at funding@creativenz.govt.nz

Scenario Four

I’ve submitted my application to Arts Grants Round 3 but it has been affected by the flooding. Can I withdraw my application or make changes?

If you had submitted an application via our online application portal to Arts Grants Round 3, and don’t wish to proceed with the project, please contact us to withdraw the application.

If you wish to make changes to the project, please contact us. Our ability to make changes will depend on the nature of the changes and whether your application has proceeded to assessment.  

Scenario Five

I’m due to submit a project completion report however I’m delayed in completing it due to the impact of the flood. 

If you require an extension, you can request this in the Portal. 

Generally we allow extensions up to 6 months past the project end date. Please be sure to include the reason(s) for the extension request.