Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility:
- Use the funding guide and checklist to work through each step of the application process.
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Biodiversity Fund
What funding is available and who can apply
The Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Biodiversity Fund helps landowners, rūnanga, and community groups deliver practical projects that protect and restore the unique biodiversity of Ōtautahi Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rakaihautū Banks Peninsula. It aims to support initiatives that protect and restore habitats for indigenous species, and build long-term ecological resilience.
The following information outlines the types of projects the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Biodiversity Fund supports.
Available funding for projects
You can apply for a minimum of $30,000, with a maximum of $100,000 per application. Funding is for the 2026/27 financial year only and cannot support multi-year projects
We may not be able to fund the full amount that you have applied for.
Who can apply
This fund is open to community groups, rūnanga, trusts and non-profit organisations that want to make a positive difference for the environment in Ōtautahi Christchurch and/or Te Pātaka o Rakaihautū Banks Peninsula.
- Your group must be a registered not-for-profit legal entity, such as an incorporated society or charitable trust
- Your project should enhance indigenous biodiversity in freshwater, coastal or land-based ecosystems
- The project may involve direct action, education/raising awareness, or supporting an organisation that undertakes these actions.
What we fund
Projects that:
- Protect and restore habitats and ecosystems supporting rare and threatened species
- Control or manage animal and plant pests in high-value ecological areas
- Support long-term ecological resilience of habitats.
Examples:
- Fencing and planting to protect native bush remnants
- Controlling animal or plant pests in high-value ecological areas
- Monitoring and maintaining biodiversity gains.
What we cannot fund
This fund is not open to:
- Individuals, for profit businesses, educational institutions, or government agencies
-
Organisations and/or initiatives that are primarily political in nature
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Any project that will exclusively result in private gain
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Any project that is a legal obligation or condition of a resource consent
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Any project where the work does not align with at least one of our core services
Eligibility criteria
These are the key criteria you need to meet to be eligible for funding:
- Your group must be a registered not-for-profit legal entity, such as an incorporated society or charitable trust
- Projects must align with one or more of the following biodiversity measures:
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Increasing the extent and values of natural wetlands
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Increasing the area of indigenous vegetation cover in both urban and non-urban environments
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Increasing the area of indigenous habitat on private land under legal protection by covenant
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Increasing the extent and natural character of braided rivers (parts of the Waimakariri River are within the targeted rate boundary)
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Increasing the health and wellbeing of coastal environments (by contributing to habitat protection)
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Increasing the health and wellbeing of waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems (by contributing to habitat protection).
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- Seeking funding between $30,000 and $100,000 per project
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Be able to supply a minimum of 30 per cent of the project budget; this may come from external funding or equivalent in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours
- You must submit your project budget using the template (Excel file, 64.7KB) we supply and ensure you clearly state what you will spend the fund contribution on if your application is successful. If you don't have access to Microsoft Excel, please see the Budget advice on our funding guide page for an alternative option.
- All of the projects must be located within the Christchurch City Council ratable boundary. View the boundary on Christchurch City Council’s website
Assessing your application
The decision panel will assess applications using the following criteria:
| Criteria | What do we mean by this? |
|---|---|
| The significance of the problem or opportunity | What is the problem or opportunity the project will address, and why does it matter? We’ll consider its importance and urgency, including the scale of the issue, who or what is affected, any relevant cultural significance, how strongly it aligns with the relevant fund, and the consequences of taking no action. |
| Expected impact of the project | What will the project achieve, and how much difference will it make? We’ll consider the scale and significance of the expected environmental and other benefits, how long they are likely to last and, where relevant, whether they will create lasting changes in behaviour, practices or participation. |
| Value for money | Why does the project represent good value for the funding requested? We’ll consider whether the budget is clear and realistic, what the project will achieve for the money invested, and any other funding or in-kind contributions supporting the project. |
|
Project management, including leadership and financial oversight |
How will the project be planned, managed and delivered successfully? We’ll consider whether there is a clear and realistic plan, including activities, timeframes, responsibilities and budget, as well as whether the project has the leadership, skills and experience needed to deliver it and manage any risks or challenges. |
| The extent to which the community is likely to be engaged | Community engagement can take different forms. A project may involve a small number of people but be highly important locally, or engage many people and build wider awareness. We’ll consider how the project responds to community needs, who will be involved, and the partnerships supporting it, including rūnanga or mana whenua where relevant. Please also tell us how the project will build participation, awareness, capability or ongoing involvement, and whether children or young people will be involved or benefit. |
Next steps - getting started and applying for funding
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