Wairarapa Moana Community Environment Fund

If you’re planning a restoration project in the Wairarapa area, find out here if you could apply for our Community Environment Fund. 

Community and mana whenua groups can apply for up to $12,500 to with their restoration efforts.

The applications open from 1 August and close on 1 October.  

The application process is outlined on this page but please feel free to contact us by emailing waiwetlands@gw.govt.nz if you need more information or would like some assistance with your application.

The Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project is a collaboration between Greater Wellington, the Department of Conservation, South Wairarapa District Council, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, and Rangitāne o Wairarapa. Our area includes Lakes Wairarapa and Ōnoke, their neighbouring wetlands, Lake Domain, the Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve and Ōnoke Spit. Lake Wairarapa is the third largest lake in the North Island. At the heart of our partnership is a mutual desire to restore our wetland treasure; whakaora te repo ka ora te taonga wai­.

Who can apply

Mana whenua and community groups can apply for funding to support environmental restoration projects that are: 

• On publicly accessible land (e.g., council reserves, Department of Conservation land and some stream margins). There are a couple of exceptions:

• • If the project is on Māori owned land or private land then evidence of access, community participation and wider Wairarapa Moana benefits will need to be provided.
  • If the project is located within the mapped area but is some distance from the Wairarapa Moana, the restoration activity must contribute to a positive environmental flow on effect (i.e., work is in a tributary stream, work supports a species in the area).

• A wide range of organisations are eligible to apply (applicants must uphold manaakitanga)
  • Community groups
  • Iwi/hapu
  • Kaitiaki groups
  • Incorporated societies
  • Community trusts
  • Resident and ratepayer groups
  • Landowner groups (e.g. Landcare or Streamcare groups)
  • Education institutions
• The project is located within the Wairarapa Moana (see map below).

What can funding be used for?

Groups can apply for up to $12,500. This money can be spent over up to 2 years.

Types of restoration activities can include:

• Native plants (must be eco-sourced)
• Planting materials such as protectors and fertiliser 
• Tools 
• Pest plant control 
• Pest animal control 
• Monitoring
• Seed collection
• Training
• Refreshments for working bees
• Minor construction work
• Expert advice
• Hosting wānanga or events

Find out about other projects that have received support from this fund.

What would a successful application look like?

We’ll judge applications on the quality of the project, rather than on how well you fill in the application form. You don’t need to include a lot of information.  

You’ll also get an opportunity to tell us about your project kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face).

Priority will be given to projects that will: 

• Align with our values and vision.
• Enhance the health of local ecosystems. We want to target native plants and animals in this area and provide habitats for these species.
• Reduce threats to the moana and surrounding ecosystems.
• Be achievable and have a plan to maintain the project progress once completed. 
• Plan to cope with changing conditions resulting from climate change.

Key dates

Applications open – 1 August 

Applications close – 1 October 

Applicant site visits and assessments – first few weeks of October (a representative must be available to do this)

Successful applicants announced by – 1 November 

How to apply

Download the word document that will be linked below, fill it in and email it to waiwetlands@gw.govt.nz.

Applications opening 1 August 2024.

At the end of your project, we’ll organise a site visit with you so you can show us how the allocated funds were spent and what was achieved.  

Help plan your project

For more information, visit the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project website.

Or email us at waiwetlands@gw.govt.nz.

We can also help with what the best plant species for your site are, and pest control advice.