Applying for the He Tohu Travel Fund for Schools
Important update
From 3 April 2023 there will be building works at the National Library. The He Tohu document room remains accessible and you can still visit the three iconic constitutional documents. However, the interactive exhibition component is closed until further notice.
The He Tohu Travel Fund will take applications again for the 31 December 2023 funding round. You will be informed of the outcome after 20 January 2024. At the time of approval, you will need to book the group visit via contact@hetohu.nz.
Due to the current construction work, we are not taking bookings for school visits or guided experiences until mid-January 2024. Please make sure to check the He Tohu visit page when you plan school tours and apply for the Travel Fund so you have the most up-to-date information on hand.
What is the He Tohu Travel Fund?
Te Puna Foundation is a charitable trust formed to extend and add value to the work of the National Library of New Zealand, through philanthropic funds.
Te Puna Foundation established a campaign in 2016 to raise money for a travel fund to assist with the goal for every child in New Zealand to have the opportunity to experience the ‘He Tohu’ Exhibition and learning programmes, held within the National Library , at least once during their school life.
Conditions of receiving the He Tohu Travel Fund
There are no formal conditions for receiving travel assistance from Te Puna Foundation other than attendance at a learning programme; however the Foundation would appreciate an acknowledgement of the travel funding it provides and feedback on the experience, that we can share, to encourage more schools to attend one of the programmes.
The Foundation encourages the students who attend He Tohu Learning Programmes to share their experience with their school and others in their local community.
Copies of any reports on the visit as well as any local newspaper articles or features about the experience in Wellington or Auckland would be appreciated as the Foundation seeks to build and share a collection of stories to encourage support for this travel programme.
If you are travelling by bus, please provide a bus quote with your application.
If you are travelling by bus within 200kms, please contact us to obtain information about our partnership with Tranzit Coachlines.
You may not alter your application without consultation with Te Puna Foundation after the grant round has closed.
You must have booked in your programme with the learning team at Auckland or Wellington to be considered for travel assistance.
Priority will be given to Schools:
- Furthest away from Wellington and Auckland
- Exhibiting a special need or exceptional circumstances
- Visiting Wellington for the first time
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Assistance?
All primary and secondary schools in New Zealand are eligible to apply for travel assistance to visit the exhibition in Wellington or the learning space in Auckland.
The level of assistance will be based on a graduated scale according to the distance in kilometres from the school to Wellington or Auckland CBDs. Priority will be given to schools:
furthest away from Wellington or Auckland
that exhibit a special need or exceptional circumstances
with students participating in either of the programmes for the first time
Priority will be given to Schools:
Furthest away from Wellington and Auckland
Exhibiting a special need or exceptional circumstances
Visiting Wellington for the first time
How many students are eligible for funding?
Funding is available for:
up to 38 Students as well as 2 accompanying parents per school
other school groups on a case by case basis
Students should preferably be attending years 6 to 11 but all applicants will be considered.
How do I book to attend a He Tohu Learning Programme?
Te Puna Foundation only manages applications for travel assistance to attend the Learning programmes.
All enquiries and bookings to attend the He Tohu Exhibition and Learning Programmes are made directly to the Programmes team at the National Library in Wellington on this email address bookings@hetohu.nz or the He Tohu Tāmaki team at servicestoschools@dia.govt.nz
Further information on the Programme can be found here.
What is the duration of the He Tohu Learning Programme?
The duration of the He Tohu Learning Programmes are: Two hours.
How do I calculate the distance from my school to the Wellington or Auckland CBDs?
Using the travel assistance scale, use the distance calculator hosted by AA Travel to calculate your school’s distance from He Tohu located within Wellington or Auckland CBDs.
KMs from Wellington or Auckland CBDs
Up to 200* = Up to $25 per Student: Up to $50 for two accompanying parents
Up to 400 = $40 Per Student: $80 for two accompanying parents
Up to 600 = $60 per Student: $120 for two accompanying parents
Up to 800 = $80 per Student: $160 for two accompanying parents
Over 800 = $100 per Student: $200 for two accompanying parents
*for applicants travelling within the 200km Wellington and Auckland catchment zones, you may be eligible for a subsidy from our Transport Partners, Tranzit. Contact us for more information.
How do I apply for funding?
All applications must be on the Official Application Form which is available to download from the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of this page.
A copy of the planned Travel Itinerary for the visit must be attached to the application form. All sections of the application form must be completed and signed by the School Principal.
The subsidy is only available to those who wish to participate in the National Library’s He Tohu Exhibition & Learning Programmes provided by the in-house Programme teams.
Schools may apply for assistance only once per calendar year and the visit to He Tohu must take place within twelve months of an application being approved.
Application Closing Dates
Please note we are not taking any new applications until the 31 December 2023 round.
Applications to the He Tohu Travel Fund will be considered four times each year. Closing dates for each round of applications will be
31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December, for visits in each following quarter.
Applications, accompanied by the proposed travel itinerary, MUST be submitted via email to the Foundation at info@tepunafoundation.org.nz no later than six (6) weeks prior to the intended visit to He Tohu.
If posting, please address to:
Director Public Engagement
Te Puna Foundation
PO Box 1467, Wellington 6140
Who considers the Applications?
Director Public Engagement will assess all applications and then make recommendations to the Board of Trustees according to funds available at any one period.
The Board will make its decision based on the School’s application and may consult with other agencies or organisations, as appropriate.
The Boards decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into once decisions have been made.
How is the Travel Grant Paid?
The Travel Grant will be paid approximately 30 days in advance of the visit to He Tohu. Funds will be transferred electronically to the School’s nominated bank account.
The deadline for the return of completed documentation is the 20th of the month following the close of a grant round i.e. 20th of April following the grant round closing 31 March.
Under no circumstances will any funds be transferred to a private or business bank account.
The School Principal must agree (by signing the Application Form) to refund any funds advanced to the School with 10 days if the visit is cancelled.
Who will be advised if the application is successful?
The School Principal will be notified of the Foundation’s decision via email or telephone.
What happens if the visit is cancelled?
Should the visit to Wellington or Auckland not proceed on the dates specified, the Foundation must be notified via email immediately and reimbursed within 10 days for any funds allocated to the school.
Te Puna Foundation’s Bank account details will be provided to the School in an email to enable a refund to be made.
If you have any further questions please contact:
Email: info@tepunafoundation.org.nz
