The Northeast Valley community was one of five picked by the Government to dip into a $1.5 million annual fund, and money was already being put to good use, Northeast Valley Community Development Project acting chairman Steve O'Connor said.
The group had carefully considered whether it was the best move for the valley before signing a "partnership" in September with the Department of Internal Affairs for three years.
"There's a bit of natural suspicion with any government funding that once they're paying the piper you've got to sing their tune."
However so far, the partnership had been extremely positive.
"We feel very lucky. We were picked out; we didn't approach them."
The other communities are Whirinaki, South Hokianga; Mt Roskill, Auckland; Mangakino, Central North Island, and Porirua East/Cannons Creek, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia said recently.
Mr O'Connor said the group was using its first funds release, $10,000, for street parties and tea parties to connect and consult with residents. Elected board chairwoman Maria Jackson had temporarily stepped down from that role to help co-ordinate the community consultation programme.
The group's next goal was securing funding for a full-time project worker.
Being chosen acknowledged Northeast Valley's health, social cohesion, education, and environmental projects and programmes running for the past three years.
To an extent the valley was a "victim of our own success", and extra money would be used to co-ordinate efforts.
"Things have gone so well... but we're starting to realise that we can't actually manage it all.
"We've been on quite a sharp growth curve but it's not sustainable without actually having a bit more resource there," Mr O'Connor said.
Mrs Turia said the funding scheme was made possible with an annual $1.5 million transfer from the Community Organisation Grants Scheme, which was announced in May.
