The Northland Regional Council has funding available to assist with a variety of eligible environmental, educational and cultural initiatives undertaken by the Northland community.
Individuals, landowners, community groups, schools and iwi are among those able to take advantage of Regional Council funding and advice. The amount of funding available can vary from year to year, but typically includes:
Community Pest Control Areas
Total funding available varies: (2008 funding $500,000)
Community Pest Control Areas can be established in places the community identifies as worth protecting because of their high economic, environmental or social value. A list of target pests (animal, plant or insect) is drawn up and a plan developed to control them. If Regional Councillors agree to establish a Control Area, the pests involved are formally classed as ‘total control pests’. To start with, a contractor may carry out free control work to cut pest numbers to a manageable level. After that initial work, responsibility for ongoing control falls to the landowners/group members.
Council support for landowners and groups during the first two to four years can include training in pest control and monitoring as well as the supply of free and half-price traps, agrichemicals, poisons and monitoring equipment.
Who can apply?
Owners of eligible land within the Northland region, landcare and community groups.
Who do I need to talk to?
Biosecurity staff (0800) 002 004 or find out more at www.nrc.govt.nz/cpca
Environment Fund
Total funding available varies: (2008 funding $500,000+)
This annual fund has provided more than $3 million to help people improve and protect Northland’s natural environment since 1996. The fund typically contributes up to 50% of the total cost of a project, which must be of long-term benefit to the local environment and show clear evidence of good resource management.
Who can apply?
Individuals and voluntary groups for eligible projects on private land. Landowners, community and conservation organisations, local Māori groups and schools have all
successfully applied to the Environment Fund in the past.
In 2008, more than 150 projects ranging from planting eroding sand dunes to protecting kiwi were awarded a share of the $500,000+ available through the fund.
Who do I need to talk to?
Land Management staff (0800) 002 004 or find out more at www.nrc.govt.nz/environmentfund
Environmental Curriculum Awards
Total funding available: $20,000 annually
This award aims to foster action in environmental education. Northland schools are eligible for a maximum $2000 each from the fund, which must be spent educating children ‘in, about and for’ the region’s environment. Award winners demonstrate ways their schools are putting effort into sustainably managing Northland’s natural and physical resources, a key Northland Regional Council goal.
Who can apply?
Any Northland school officially registered with the Ministry of Education.
Who do I need to talk to?
Environmental Education staff (0800) 002 004 or find out more at www.nrc.govt.nz/eca
Hapu Management Plans
Total funding available: $20,000 annually
This fund aims to help Māori compile the environmental component of iwi or hapū planning documents. Typically, such a document sets out iwi/hapū members’ hopes and aspirations for resources they have a recognised traditional association with, for example natural resources, wāhi tapu and other taonga. Assistance can be financial, or in some cases, technical.
Who can apply?
Hapū or iwi who have land interests within the Northland Regional Council’s geographical boundary, which stretches from south-east of Mangawhai across to the Kaipara Harbour and north to Cape Rëinga. Please contact the Council’s Iwi Liaison Officer if you have any eligibility queries.
Who do I need to talk to?
Iwi Liaison Officer (0800) 002 004 or find out more at www.nrc.govt.nz/maori
Joint Iwi Monitoring Fund
Total funding available: $15,000 annually
This fund aims to provide Māori with the opportunity to undertake monitoring projects
within Northland. Previously funded monitoring projects have included studies of freshwater aquatic life and shellfish surveys.
Who can apply?
Māori groups within the Northland region.
Who do I need to talk to?
Iwi Liaison Officer (0800) 002 004 or find out more at www.nrc.govt.nz/maori
Further information
For any queries about the funding available, please contact us.