FAQs - Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Planning Fund

This fund has been established by Northland Regional Council (NRC) to help iwi/hapū or other tāngata whenua entities develop Ngā Mahere Iwi/Hapū mō ngā Take Taiao — Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Plans (IHEMPs) for their rohe (area).

Why is it important to have an Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Plan?

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires NRC to take into account planning documents such as these (that have been recognised by an iwi authority and lodged with council), when preparing or changing the Regional Policy Statement or Regional Plan (sections 61(2A), 66(2A)). The same applies to the District Council with regard to the District Plan, under section 74(2A). NRC also considers this type of planning document to be a “matter” that is “relevant and reasonably necessary” under section 104(1)(c) of the RMA when considering resource consents and submissions received.

Various policies that NRC has developed under the Regional Policy Statement and the Regional Plan give further support to this kaupapa (issue).

The process of creating and implementing environmental plans can help tāngata whenua to describe (among other things):

  • their connection to the Taiao (natural world) and identified resources or taonga to which they have a recognised traditional association;
  • their mātauranga (knowledge and understanding);
  • resource management issues of importance to them;
  • consultation/engagement protocols for resource consents and monitoring, plan changes, and matters of significance for tāngata whenua.

IHEMPs can also be a platform for obtaining financial and technical support for further capacity development from various sources, including regional and district councils.

How do I apply for funding?

An application form may be downloaded from the NRC website at: nrc.govt.nz/ihemp 

Or you can request a copy by email: [email protected]

Applications close on Sunday 14 May 2023.

Do all applications receive funding?

Within each financial year, NRC will aim to achieve an optimal number of funded applications while also trying to ensure that each grant amount is enough to meet actual needs. This may mean that not all applications can be funded in one round. There will, however, be further funding rounds at regular intervals, so don’t give up if your application does not get funded this time!

You may also develop your IHEMP in stages across consecutive NRC financial years (July to June), but you will need to clearly indicate the expected timeframe and required budget for each stage in your application.

What kind of application is more likely to succeed?

Applications that are likely to succeed will:

  • Have a well elaborated project description;
  • Present general environmental management as well as climate change-related issues, objectives, policies, plans, and/or methods for funding consideration;
  • Demonstrate a clear benefit to hapū/iwi in terms of participation in resource management processes;
  • Be submitted by an established tāngata whenua legal or operational entity, such as a marae committee, hapū trust, iwi authority, or a consultant contracted to act on the entity’s behalf;
  • Be endorsed by the tāngata whenua entity for whom the plan will be prepared;
  • Demonstrate confidence that the relevant iwi authority will recognise the completed plan prior to its lodgement with NRC;
  • Have complementary funding sources available, if more budget is needed than the IHEMP fund can provide.

Is the funding limited to 'Iwi Hapū Environmental Management Plans'?

Yes, this funding round is specifically for IHEMP applications that include a climate change adaptation planning component.

Further funding rounds will build on IHEMPs that have already included a climate change adaptation planning component. These rounds will focus on supporting practical implementation of community initiatives to build climate change resilience. This could, for example, involve direct assistance to Māori communities in need who may be exposed to climate risk or may have particularly vulnerable populations and/or assets. At the same time, there will still be further opportunities in these rounds for IHEMPs to be developed, reviewed or updated, including climate change adaptation planning.

NRC does have funds available from time to time for other types of activities, so you are encouraged to also explore those options.

What happens after I make an application?

NRC aims to notify all applicants about the outcome of their applications within three weeks of the submission closing date.

Successful applicants will be invited to sign a funding agreement (contract). Payment instalments will be processed upon receipt of an official tax invoice from the granted tāngata whenua entity together with evidence of having achieved agreed milestones. Progress updates from grant recipients will be expected at specified intervals.

Need help?

If you need more information or help, please contact:

Julian Hansen, Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori — Senior Māori Technical Advisor, Northland Regional Council
P: 0800 002 004 | E: [email protected]

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FAQs - Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Planning (2023) (PDF 797 KB)