The Mayor's Welfare Fund was established in 1897 as the Mayor's Coal and Blanket Fund. The fund provides assistance to families and individuals in our community in extreme financial difficulty.

Apply to the Mayor's Welfare Fund

Applications close at 5pm Wednesday 17 December 2025.  

Any applications submitted before closing will be processed before Christmas. If you are asked to supply information, please do so immediately, or your application may not be considered until next year.  

The fund will reopen for new applications on Monday 12 January 2026.

Purpose

The fund is a last resort when people have exhausted other appropriate sources, such as Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ).

The fund works with support agencies [PDF, 189 KB] in the city and can assist on a one-off basis where real needs can be shown. 

Criteria

  • The Mayor's Welfare Fund is only available for Christchurch City residents.
  • The fund has a limited number of funding categories with which it can assist applicants, and criteria on levels of assistance apply. 
  • The Mayor's Welfare Fund can only assist once in a twelve-month period.
  • School principals may apply on behalf of students to help students who would otherwise miss out due to circumstances of financial difficulties.  

How to apply

Fill out and submit the application form.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number and the list of required documentation that needs to be supplied before the Mayor's Welfare Fund team can process your application. Once all the documentation has been received, you will be contacted to discuss your application further.

You will be asked to provide:

  • A form of identification, such as your Driver's Licence or Community Services Card.
  • A letter from Work and Income NZ or Study Link stating that assistance is available or unavailable.
  • Current bank statement/s of at least four weeks, including your name and transactions, to use as proof of financial hardship.
  • If in employment, a copy of your last two payslips.
  • Evidence of your need, such as an invoice, electricity bill, letter from landlord etc.

For any further queries, contact us at 03 941 8999 or email the Mayor's Welfare Fund team on mwf@ccc.govt.nz

Donations

If you have an inquiry with regards to donating to this charitable trust, please email all details to mwf@ccc.govt.nz and the team will contact you.