Fund for iwi freshwater improvement projects opens

Applications for a new Government fund aimed at helping iwi to improve the quality of their local freshwater bodies are now open, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announced today.

“The Te Mana o te Wai Fund recognises the special relationship that iwi have with their local waterways. This contestable funding will help iwi to work together with the wider community to improve and restore the quality of freshwater in their regions,” Dr Smith says.

The Te Mana o te Wai Fund was announced as part of Budget 2014 in partnership with the Māori Party, and provides $5 million over two years. It will support restoration initiatives such as riparian planting, projects to reduce nitrate levels, and community-run water restoration efforts for local waterways.

Proposed projects for the fund are required to support partnership and collaboration, and grants will be for a minimum of $200,000 to help guarantee that the successful projects will produce significant outcomes.

“The Government believes iwi and hapū have an important role to play as active partners in improving our country’s freshwater, and that partnership and collaboration is key in ensuring positive and lasting gains,” Dr Smith says.

“As the Minister of Maori Development, I welcome this opportunity for hapū and iwi to be able to continue to support their role as kaitaki and in doing so, provide for their whānau,” Mr Flavell says.

“The basis of Te Mana o Te Wai is that healthy waterways support healthy environments, which in turn supports healthy whānau. With this in mind, hapū and iwi are able to express their aspirations for freshwater quality and we welcome the opportunity for this to occur.”

Further information including criteria for applications is available at the Ministry for the Environment website: www.mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/te-mana-o-te-wai-fund.

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