COUNCIL ANNOUNCES HERITAGE FUNDING

Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Grants Allocation Committee has announced this year’s community recipients of its Heritage Fund grants for protecting and enhancing historical and cultural sites around the Kāpiti Coast.

Ten landowners have been selected to benefit from just over $30,000 of available funding that supports the management, protection, and enhancement of heritage features throughout the District.

“We’re extremely proud to be able to support the wide range of valuable heritage activity our community is involved in,” Acting Chair of the Grants Committee, Councillor Mark Benton, said.

“The value we place in maintaining and enhancing our heritage sites in Kāpiti is a special feature of our region and Council plays an important part in supporting and growing the cultural and educational opportunities these sites offer both our residents and visitors.

“This year our grants have been able to partially fund all the projects that submitted applications,” he said.

In the Ōtaki and Te Horo region, the seven-hectare Haruatai Forest, an Ōtaki Gorge Road walking track on the edge of the Tararua Forest Park, the O te Pua and Te Hapua Road wetland areas, ‘Marycrest’, the Te Hapua wetland complex, and a Rahui Road native bush area will all benefit from planting and pest and weed control initiatives, supporting the growth of bird life and other native species.

In Waikanae, a remnant of kohekohe and tawa forest at the 13.3 Bluff Hill Bush site on Reikorangi Road above the Waikanae River will be enlarged with native tree planting in retired pasture. Native vegetation will also be restored along the riverside on farmland opposite the Waikanae Water Treatment Plan on Aston Road.

About the grants

The Heritage Fund was established in 2001 with the intention of assisting and actively encouraging landowners and members of the Kāpiti Coast community to manage, protect, and enhance natural features throughout the district, including ecological, geological, historical, and cultural sites.

The grants are made annually and require the development of Heritage Management Plans for the Preservation, Management, or Riparian Management categories. Council offers free advice to projects preparing heritage management plans.

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