Almost $1 million has been injected into the Southland economy by the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund.
Active Southland announced in a press release that $949,000 has been distributed to 118 local organisations by Tū Manawa.
Established in 2010, it funded sports organisations, social services, activity providers and primary and high schools.
Active Southland chief executive Vanessa Hughey-Pol said the fund had a real difference in the Southland community.
"It’s been amazing to see such a wide range of new play, active recreation and sport initiatives trialled across Southland with the support of this fund."
The creation of whānau play packs and support for taonga tākaro, to sports initiatives like Touch Southland’s Murihiku Wahine Touch Tag had been funded by it, he said.
The latest round of funding for Tū Manawa focused on projects and programmes supporting tamariki and rangatahi who were less active, girls, young women, disabled young people and those in higher deprivation communities.
"Tū Manawa has given organisations the opportunity to try new things and it has made it easier for young people to be active in Southland."
