Biodiversity funding and support
Open access to funding and support
There is a wealth of support available to residents in our region to reach environmental goals.
Let’s improve our environment one step at a time, together.
QEII Open Space Covenant
You can create legal protection around natural and cultural features on your land through QEII open space covenants. This can involve fencing off areas, protection that lasts in perpetuity, and preventing development on the land. Terms are agreed on a case by case basis. This sort of protection is vital to protect important habitats for threatened species, and our region is home to many.
For more information contact the QEII National Trust
Creating Healthy Waterways (streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands)
Greater Wellington works with landowners to help protect, manage and rejuvenate waterways and wetlands in our region. You could be eligible for up to 50% off the cost of fencing, pest plant control, pest animal control and eco-sourced native plants. These sorts of actions can contribute to improved water quality in our whole region.
More information about healthy waterways
Sustainable Land Practices
A great way to protect and enhance biodiversity on your land is by employing sustainable land management practices. Greater Wellington can work with you on a Farm Environment Plan, which involves advice on best-practice sustainability and allows access to a contestable fund. Advice from our team of advisers could mean big improvements on your land for future generations.
For more information contact riparian@gw.govt.nz
Protecting Erosion Prone Land
The Wellington Regional Erosion Control Initiative, or WRECI for short, is to protect erosion prone land in our region. It receives financial support from the Ministry for Primary Industries. Farm plans can be developed for hill country farms and financial assistance is provided for poplar and willow planting, afforestation, reversion retirement and sediment control devices. Much deforestation in modern history has meant parts of our region are erosion prone, and this support is to help prevent that. This is about ensuring land doesn’t disappear under our feet.
Pest Control
Greater Wellington is lucky to have a very experienced biosecurity team, with designing the predator control for Predator Free Wellington just one of the things they’re working on. To help everyone in our region to carry out pest control, we offer discounted pest control resources such as rat and possum traps, and help and advice for controlling pest plants.
For further information please contact pest.plants@gw.govt.nz or pest.animals@gw.govt.nz
Eco-sourced Plants
The Akura Conservation Centre sells eco-sourced native tree species suitable for restoration plantings, and native and exotic tree species suitable for shelter, fuelwood, erosion control and timber.
For further information please contact akura@gw.govt.nz
Biodiversity Advice
Greater Wellington Regional Council provides biodiversity management information and education resources for landowners and the community.
For further information please contact biodiversity@gw.govt.nz
Wellington Community Trust Grants
Wellington Community Trust is an independent funder that welcomes funding applications from not-for-profit community organisations in the Wellington region. Funds are awarded to groups working towards the Trust’s vision of ‘Active People, Resilient Communities and Sustainable Environments’.
For further information please contact admin@wct.org.nz
Rates Relief for Conservation Purposes
Kāpiti Coast District ratepayers who own land that has some feature of cultural or natural heritage and is voluntarily protected may qualify for remission of rates. For example, properties with a QEII or conservation covenant registered on their certificate of title, or properties with an ecological site listed in the District Plan Heritage Register.
For further information please contact kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Heritage Fund
The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Heritage Fund aims to assist and actively encourage landowners and members of our community to manage, protect and enhance heritage features throughout the district, including ecological, geological, historical and cultural areas and sites.
For further information please contact kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Riparian Fund
The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Riparian Fund is an incentive scheme for landowners. The Fund encourages better management of our waterways by preventing stock access through fencing and the permanent retirement of riparian margins to allow the establishment of native vegetation buffers. Up to $5,000 is available on a cost-sharing basis for fencing, plants and site preparation.
For further information please contact kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Community Biodiversity Project Funding
This funding supports community groups to restore, maintain or protect native ecosystems in the wider Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour area (which stretches south to Johnsonville and north to Pukerua Bay). It can be used to buy native plants, plant protectors, fertiliser, and materials and tools. Funding can also be provided for pest plant and animal control, and refreshments for community group working bees. Community groups are working hard to make big improvements in their neighbourhoods, and deserve our support.
More information about community funding
Sievers Grove Nursery
Porirua City Council’s Sievers Grove Nursery offers surplus plants and a wide variety of specialty plant lines at wholesale prices. The plants are grown on site from locally sourced seed and cuttings. The Nursery can provide expert advice on what to plant on your property and how to care for it.
For further information please contact the Nursery Supervisor on 04 237 6893
Predator Free Community Group Support
Porirua City Council provides financial support to neighbourhood pest-free groups.
For further information please contact enquiries@poriruacity.govt.nz
Community Grants
Upper Hutt City Council’s Community Grants are for community groups either working in Upper Hutt or for community organisations that benefit the residents of Upper Hutt.
For further information please contact funding@uhcc.govt.nz
Zero Waste and Community Environment Fund
The Upper Hutt City Council Zero Waste and Community Environment fund seeks to support practical sustainability initiatives related to waste minimisation, environmental protection and community resilience.
For further information please contact askus@uhcc.govt.nz
Sustainability Stimulus Grant
The Upper Hutt City Council has funding available to get sustainable projects up and running in Upper Hutt. Applications are open to businesses, organisations and individuals.
For further information please contact askus@uhcc.govt.nz
Natural Environment Fund
Wellington City Council’s Natural Environment Fund supports community environmental projects that help grow the city’s natural capital. This can include protecting the city's indigenous biodiversity, restoring riparian and coastal ecosystems, and connecting people to nature.
For further information please contact funding@wcc.govt.nz
Community Biodiversity Project Funding
This funding supports community groups to restore, maintain or protect native ecosystems in the Wairarapa Moana area. It can be used to buy native plants, plant protectors, fertiliser, and materials and tools. Funding can also be provided for pest plant and animal control, and refreshments for community group working bees. Community groups are working hard to make big improvements in their neighbourhoods, and deserve our support.
Indigenous Biodiversity Grants
Hutt City Council’s Indigenous Biodiversity Grants help Lower Hutt landowners protect, enhance and manage indigenous habitats on their land.
Council can support a range of activities with the grants including pest and weed control, revegetation planting and may include providing materials or expertise. Larger scale projects with an agreed project plan may be eligible for Council funding. Landowners will need to meet basic criteria to qualify.
For further information please contact biodiversity@huttcity.govt.nz or find more information on the Hutt City Council website.
Weed Control
Complimentary weed control is provided by Hutt City Council on private land for the following species: old man’s beard, cathedral bells, banana passionfruit, pampas grass and climbing asparagus. Infestation sites are put on monitoring programs for sustained control. Weed control is also provided for properties on boundaries of reserves.
Simply log your pest plant on the Hutt City website
Predator Control and Restoration Support
Hutt City Council actively promotes predator trapping groups and supplies traps for groups and individuals at no cost. Many of these trapping groups have a presence on trap.nz. Contact us if you want to join one of these groups or if you want to establish a predator free group in a suburb that doesn’t yet have one. Community groups are also supplied with eco-sourced native plants for revegetation projects in key reserves and streams. Hutt City Council is happy to provide advice and recommendations for ecologically sympathetic property management.
For further information please contact contact@huttcity.govt.nz
Rates Relief for Conservation Purposes
Hutt City Council provides rates relief for portions of properties under QEII covenants.
For further information please contact contact@huttcity.govt.nz
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800496734
- Email:
- info@gw.govt.nz