Community groups get funding to better our environment

In its inaugural year, the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund is proud to support 20 community groups across Waitaha to the tune of $215,000.

In fact, a total of 46 applications were received for our fund, totalling $810,000 which far exceeded the funds available.

The new contestable fund aims to build community engagement and action for a better environment in the takiwā/region.

The successful applicants will be working on all sorts of exciting projects, from predator trapping to river clean-ups and planting and enhancement.

Examples of successful applicants

Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Charitable Trust

The Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Charitable Trust is just one of the 20 successful applicants. The trust will be running a river corridor trapping project that will include pest animal control and utilising technical expertise from biosecurity specialists. The group, which was awarded $11,080, will also be working with the community on restoration activities that will provide riparian habitat protection. This will in turn promote local flora and fauna recovery in the wider area.

Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust

In Waimakariri, the Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust has been awarded $5,000 to rehabilitate the Tūhaitara Coastal Park. With the funds, they will enhance the native biodiversity in this area, which links the Waimakariri to the Ashley Rakahuri.

Summit Road Society

The Summit Road Society was awarded $20,000 for their Predator Free Port Hills programme. The backyard and community trapping programme aims to eliminate rats, possums and mustelids from the Port Hills and Lyttelton Harbour by 2050.

Helps Pōhatu Conservation Trust

The Helps Pōhatu Conservation Trust in Banks Peninsula will be working to monitor kororā/little blue penguin. They hope to protect the world’s smallest penguin from ongoing population decline. The project has been awarded $10,000 and will use GPS sensors to monitor the penguin’s activities.

About the fund

The 2021 Waitaha Action to Impact funding round was a pilot and the process for next year is currently being reviewed. Once this is completed, we will be able to announce when the next funding round will be open.

All applications were assessed against criteria and all successful recipients must provide a minimum of 30 per cent of the total project budget; this may come from funding or equivalent in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours.

Find out more about the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund and see a full list and details about each of the successful applicants.