What is Boosted X Moana?

What is Boosted X Moana?

Boosted X Moana is a crowdfunding program designed to support Pasifika creatives to bring Pacific-led arts projects to life. Delivered through Boosted, it is a partnership between Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy team and The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi.

The program provides match funding (donations are matched dollar-for-dollar up to a set amount) alongside one-on-one mentoring, supporting project owners to plan, launch, and deliver a successful crowdfunding campaign.

The Vision (2023–2028)

Boosted X Moana supports the vision of Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy to see strong, passionate, and resilient Pacific arts thriving across Aotearoa, throughout Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, and on the global stage.

Through targeted financial support and capability building, Boosted X Moana helps Pasifika creatives grow audiences, generate income, and take their work to new national and international platforms.

What We’ve Achieved So Far (2020–2025)

Over the past five years, Boosted X Moana has demonstrated the strength and impact of its model:

• 157 Pasifika arts projects successfully funded
• Over $1,000,000 raised in total, including:
  • $908,110.28 from public donations
  • $753,000 in match funding
• 9,888 individual donations made

This success shows that the Boosted X Moana model works and continues to strengthen as the program evolves.

What’s New in 2026?

In 2026, Boosted X Moana will deliver two funding cohorts across the year, creating more opportunities for Pasifika artists to access match funding and mentoring support.

Funding Structure

Each cohort will support 9 projects, with match funding allocated as follows:

• 5 × $5,000 match funds
• 3 × $10,000 match funds
• 1 × $20,000 match fund

Match funding is capped at the allocated amount for each project. Once a project reaches its match funding cap, it can continue fundraising through public donations.

Priority Areas

Priority will be given to projects that are:

• Traveling internationally to present their work
• Invited to participate in international arts festivals or events

Cohort Dates for 2026

Cohort 1
Registration dates: 10 April – 24 April 2026 (CLOSED)

Campaign period: 8 June – 8 July 2026
 

Cohort 2
Registration dates: 24 August – 4 September 2026

Campaign period: 9 October – 9 November 2026
 

Each cohort runs for approximately 30 days. Project owners must be available to actively promote their campaign throughout the campaign period.

Who Can Register

To be eligible for Boosted X Moana, projects must:

• Be led by Pasifika artists, collectives, or organisations, or have a strong Pasifika kaupapa. This may include Pasifika leadership, storytelling, cultural practice, or a clear benefit to Pasifika communities.
• Be ready to launch and deliver a crowdfunding campaign within the specified campaign timeframe.
• Be able to commit time and energy to actively campaigning and engaging supporters.

Eligible creative disciplines include (but are not limited to) performance, film, visual arts, fashion, and digital storytelling.

Projects that are still in early development, are not ready to launch, or cannot commit to active campaigning may not be suitable.

Please note: Projects are not eligible if they have received Creative New Zealand funding, or intend to apply for Creative New Zealand funding, in 2026.

How to Register

1. Visit the Boosted “Start a Project” page:
   https://www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/start-a-project
2. During the registration process, indicate that you are applying for Boosted X Moana.

3. Submit your project details before the relevant cohort’s registration deadline and book in a call with our Boosted X Moana mentor Poe Tiare before April 24th!

    

What Happens After Registration

After registering, you will be instructed to book a one-on-one call with a Boosted X Moana mentor. This call must be completed before the registration period closes.

Projects are assessed based on:

• Readiness to launch
• Strength of kaupapa
• Capacity to fundraise
• Alignment with Boosted X Moana priorities

Not all registered projects will be selected for match funding. Projects that are not selected may still choose to crowdfund through Boosted without match funding support.

All selected projects must attend a mandatory 45-minute online workshop, which provides an in-depth breakdown of how to prepare for and run a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Following selection, project owners will prepare and launch their campaign within their cohort’s campaign period, with ongoing support from the Boosted team.

Get in Touch

If you’d like to talk through eligibility, readiness, or timing, we encourage you to get in touch early.

Email Boosted: kiaora@boosted.org.nz