Environmental Leaders Fund grants allocated

Twenty-two Northland schools and early childhood centres are to share in $42,000 of Northland Regional Council Environmental Leaders Funding for projects ranging from a food forest to water conservation efforts.

Council Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Gibbard says the Environmental Leaders Fund (ELF) aims to support schools and early childhood centres (ECC) with projects that increase their students' knowledge and passion for the environment.

He says as Northland responds and adapts to a changing climate, the funded projects will help to build climate resilience in the region’s schools and surrounding communities.

“Schools and ECC can apply for up to $3000 each (excluding GST) in categories including exploring alternative energy and sustainable transport, improving biodiversity, supporting a circular economy and reducing waste, protecting and preserving water and growing kai.”

In total 29 eligible schools and ECCs had applied for $81,156 in ELF grants, roughly twice the funding available this year*.

Successful applicants, the district they’re based in, their project name and the GST-inclusive amounts granted are:

• Aranga school (Kaipara); Aranga Tanga, $2266
• BestStart Pipiwai Rd (Whangārei); Sustainable Nurturing and Growth, $600
• Broadwood Area School (Far North); Rotokakahi River and Broadwood Picnic Area Restoration Group, $2937.31
• Harinui Early Childhood Learning Centre (Far North); Water conservation project, $1100
• Hurupaki School (Whangārei); Hurupaki School Growing Futures Project, $3000
• Kaipara Kids Early Learning Centre (Kaipara); All about wai, $2600
• Maungaturoto Primary School (Kaipara); School Seedlings, $1376.24
• Mission Place Kindergarten (Far North); Ko wai ko au, ko au ko wai – I am water, water is me. Water is life.  Protecting and Preserving Water, $2000
• Morningside School (Whangārei); Garden to Table / Maara ki te tepu, $1000
• Pakaraka School (Far North); Ikura Kura, $2300
• Pouto School (Kaipara); Pātaka Kai o te Kura o Pouto, $2000
• Pukenui School (Far North); Pukenui Maunga Restoration, $2000**
• Renew School (Whangārei); 2025 Eco Friendly School space, $1000
• Te Kamo Kindergarten (Whangārei); Ngā Puna Wai: Nurturing Water, Nurturing Tamariki, $1000
• Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro (Far North); Te Whakaruruhau Taiao, $3000
• Te Kura o Waihārara (Far North); Kai for Hauora: Strengthening Resilience Through Whenua-Based Learning, $3000
• Te Kura Takiwa O Opononi (Far North); Opononi Mara Kai, $1500
• The Ridge Childcare (Far North); Kākahu Pēpi Para Kore – ‘Waste-free Baby Clothing/Nappies’, $1500
• Tutukaka Coast Playcentre (Whangārei); Living classroom- Food forest, $2000
• Whananaki School (Whangārei); Te Pātaka o Whananaki - The Whananaki Storehouse, $2934
• Whangarei Heads School (Whangārei); Re-establishing our bush tracks - stage 2 - bridge and step safety, $880
• Whangārei Primary School (Whangārei); Water Pump for irrigation, $2000.

Notes

*While schools and ECEs can apply for a maximum of $3000 excluding GST, the figures listed in this release include the amounts they were granted including GST.

**This year’s Environmental Leaders Fund was boosted by an extra $2000 donation from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.  That funding went to Pukenui School’s Pukenui Maunga Restoration project, supporting the school’s efforts to protect native life and enhance local biodiversity.