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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.

The Gambling Act 2003 requires that across all lottery funding applications, distribution committees must have regard to the needs of Māori. As appropriate, they must also have regard to the needs of older people, Pacific people and other ethnic communities, women, youth and people with disabilities.

This means committees must consider the needs of these groups when making funding decisions. It does not mean that applications receive automatic preference because they benefit a particular group. This requirement helps ensure that Lottery funding can benefit the diverse communities that make up New Zealand, while funding decisions continue to be made on the merits of each application. All applications are considered against the objectives and criteria of the Lottery Grants fund.

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, one national committee and a presiding members advisory group.

  • National
  • Upper North Island (Far North, Whāngarei, Kaipara and Auckland)
  • Central and Western North Island (Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Waikato, Matamata-Piako, Hamilton City, Waipā, Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, South Waikato, Taupō, New Plymouth, Stratford, South Taranaki)
  • Eastern North Island (Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City, Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Hastings, Napier City, Central Hawkes Bay)
  • Lower North Island (Ruapehu, Whanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatū, Palmerston North, Tararua, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Lower Hutt City, Wellington City, Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa)
  • Canterbury, Kaikōura, and Chatham Islands (Kaikōura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn, Ashbruton, Timaru, Mackenzie, Waimate, Chatham Islands)
  • Rest of South Island (Tasman, Nelson City, Marlborough, Buller, Grey, Westland, Central Otago, Waitaki, Queenstown/Lakes, Dunedin City, Clutha, Southland, Gore, Invercargill City).

Map of New Zealand, with circles representing the six regional committees, Upper North Island, Eastern North Island, Lower North Island, Canterbury, Kaikōura and Chatham Islands, Rest of South Island and Central and Western North Island. and the regions included in each committee. There are circles representing the National Committee and a Presiding Member Advisory Group, this group is represented above the other committees. 

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

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