In the Waikato Presbytery, last year's Presbyterian Foundation Grants helped fund a variety of projects.

Knox Presbyterian Church in Hamilton received a grant for three community initiatives. The biggest of their projects was to provide affordable school holiday programmes. Community Ministries Co-ordinator at Knox, Joy Barrett, says these have been a huge success and a valuable way of making connections with their community. Funds from the grant were also used to assist in establishing their Mainly Music programme and to enable facilitators for a Building Better Families Parenting Programme, to attend training in Auckland.

Volunteers from the Te Aroha Cooperating Parish used grant money to transform a vacant block of land at the back of the church into a welcoming attractive area and a Peace Garden for children. Local children contributed to a tile mosaic which is a central feature of the garden, and there is a place for poeple to sit next to the medical centre next door. It also has a stage with a pergola roof, a shaded area with seating, a decked area for barbecues and a garden that will be planted by children. It was opened and dedicated in December 2002.

A grant to the Paeroa Cooperating Church helped fund employment of skilled local people in video production. They have produced a high quality video documentary which is educational and promotes understanding of cultural perspectives on history. They have also re-worked aspects of an existing Grief Recovery video. The video production work is part of ongoing efforts by local ministers Stan and Pauline Stewart to train, equip and encourage people in Paeroa.