The Bushman’s Son Award

Total Value for 2026: $1,550

Applications for open 1 June and close midnight 30 June 2026.

Purpose and who can apply:

Award is to support talented, emerging artists and writers, residing or having family links in the Bay of Plenty region, including the Rotorua District to study, engage with or participate in visual or written arts (drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, graphics, architecture, writing and poetry).

Criteria for applicants:

• Applicants must not have professional status, ie be paid to carry out their chosen field of art.
• The same applicant could win an award in consecutive years.
• Should there be insufficient applicants in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District communities, then opportunities will be offered to emerging writers (including adults) residing or having family links in other areas located within close proximity such as Taupō and Tokoroa,
• An interview may be required before final selection.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Other important information:

• Late applications will not be accepted.
• The Award must be used for the charitable purpose for which it is granted.
• Examples of how the gift may be spent include but are not limited to: materials, venue hire, publicity, promotion, printing, advertising.
• The successful applicant/s will be selected by the Donor, Terry Fergusson-Hughes and the Geyser Community Foundation.  The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• An interview may be required before final selection.
• The Award will be presented to the successful applicant/s in September.
• The successful applicant/s will be required to supply appropriate documentation such as receipts, to prove that funds have been spent for the charitable purposes specified.
• The recipient/s will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the Award and outline the benefits gained.  Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of the recipient/s having received the gift.
• The successful applicant/s will be required to be available for interviews and to participate in promotional activities agreed with the recipient/s.  Information about the Award and the way in which the gift has been spent may be used by the Geyser Community Foundation for promotional purposes.
• It is expected that the recipient/s will use the gift within 12 months of receipt.
• An award may be revoked if a recipient’s behaviour is inappropriate or the recipient has breached conditions of the award

Reporting requirements:
The successful applicants will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the grants and outline the impact it has made on their lives. Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of receiving the grant.

Important Dates:

Applications open: 1 June 2026
Applications close: Midnight 30 June 2026
Review and decision-making: July / August
Notification of decisions: August / September
Celebration of Giving Awards: Taupo 22 September 2026 & Rotorua 24 September 2026
Grant Payment: 20 September 2026
Round Table Reporting: June 2027 (Date TBC)
Accountability Reports: 31 March 2027

For queries regarding your application please contact our Community Engagement Officer,
Leanne Rankin leanne@geysercf.org.nz