Greater Wellington — Te Awarua-o-Porirua Community Environment Fund (2024)

Ko ahau te taiao, ko te taiao, ko ahau – I am the environment, and the environment is me. 

In line with Mauri Tūhono aspirations, the purpose of this fund is to sustain and restore the mauri of te taiao (the environment) and people through entwining our efforts. Learn more about this in the proposed Kaipupuri Taonga ki te Ao Whānui framework – from the Mauri Tūhono ki Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui working group.

We share a vision with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira of healthy ecosystems and improved community wellbeing. We’re working together to make this happen through Te Awarua-o-Porirua Community Environment Fund. The fund supports community groups to restore, maintain and protect native ecosystems.  

This funding covers projects in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and the surrounding catchment area. The zone includes Churton Park to Pukerua Bay, and inland from Pāuatahanui. 

We want to help you to improve local ecosystems, waterways and the harbour, and involve the wider community in this important mahi. If you have a project in this area that fits the bill, apply to our fund for a grant. 

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Greater Wellington both value manaakitanga. This is the process of showing respect, generosity, and care for others. We expect applicants to also demonstrate this key value in all aspects of their mahi. 

See what other groups have been achieving with this fund over the last year.

Who can apply?

What can funding be used for?

Groups can apply for up to $10,000 each year for up to three years, to fund:

Native plants, plant protectors and fertiliser
Materials to grow your own native plants
Tools
Pest plant control
Pest animal control
Refreshments for working bees

This fund is not for paying salaries or wages of people involved in the project.

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

What would a successful application look like?

We will 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 will also get an opportunity to tell us about your project kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face). There will be a site visit with everyone who applies to the fund.

Priority will be given to projects that will:

Align with the aspirations of Te Rūnunga o Toa Rangatira as expressed in the Ngāti Toa Rangatira Statement. This was produced alongside the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Whaitua Implementation Programme. Find that document here.
Enhance the health of local ecosystems including native plants and animals in this area (e.g., providing habitats for key species).
Reduce threats to the harbour and surrounding ecosystems. This could include planting to stop sediment washing into streams and the harbour and managing pest plants and animals.
Involve the wider community in the project and raise environmental awareness, e.g., by involving other community groups and schools.
Be achievable and have a plan to maintain the project once completed.
Plan to cope with changing conditions resulting from climate change.

Key dates

How to apply

Fill out the word document (DOCX 203 KB) and email it to Biodiversity@gw.govt.nz.

If your application is successful, you may need to complete a short restoration plan (we’ll send you some details) before receiving funds. Each year you will need to provide a brief annual report (we have a template for you to fill in). We will organise a site visit with you so you can show us how the allocated funds were spent and what was achieved.

Help to plan your project

Updated August 19, 2024 at 11:39 AM

Get in touch

Phone:: 0800496734
Email:: info@gw.govt.nz