The Gambling Act 2003 provides for profits from Lotto NZ games to be allocated to benefit communities. The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Te Puna Tahua determines the strategic direction, policies and outcomes of the lottery grants system. The Board allocates profits to its lottery distribution committees. Distribution committees distribute grants for community purposes.
Across all lottery funding applications, distribution committees must have regard to the needs of Māori.
Distribution committees must, as appropriate, have regard to the needs of older people, Pacific people and other ethnic communities, women, youth and people with disabilities.
DIA supports the Board and its committees, manages application processes, and provides advisory services to applicants across regional offices.
In April 2026, DIA announced changes to the structure of lottery distribution committees effective from 1 July 2026. There is more information about new lottery fund here
There are six regional committees and one national committee.
- National
- Upper North Island (Auckland, Northland)
- Central and Western North Island (Waikato, Taranaki)
- Eastern North Island (Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay)
- Lower North Island (Manawatū, Whanganui, Wellington, Wairarapa)
- Canterbury, Kaikōura, and Chatham Islands
- Rest of South Island (West Coast, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Otago, Southland).
DIA will assign applications to committees based on where the application will provide benefit.
The remaining profits are distributed through the following statutory bodies:
From the financial year 2027/28, the Board will distribute online casino gambling duty through the national committee. The Minister's Discretionary Fund will not operate in 2026/27.
Outcomes / Ngā Hua
The Board aims to maximise the community benefits of lottery grants by focusing grant decision making on outcomes.
The Board’s Statement of Intent and Outcomes Framework guide the lottery grants system, and ensure that lottery grants will contribute towards the Board’s vision of New Zealanders building strong sustainable communities together.
What we don't fund / Ngā kaupapa kāore e tautokona ā-pūtea
Some activities are not eligible or not a priority for lottery funding.
Lottery Grants Board does not fund
Lottery Grants Board annual reports
Annual reports for the 3 most recent financial years:
Lottery Grants Board Te Puna Tahua annual report 2024/25
Lottery Grants Board Te Puna Tahua annual report 2023/24
Lottery Grants Board Te Puna Tahua annual report 2022/23
Earlier annual reports are available from the New Zealand Parliament website