Mō Mahi mō te Taiao About Jobs for Nature
Creating jobs and economic support for people and communities across Aotearoa, while ensuring environmental benefits.
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government established the $1.219 billion Jobs for Nature package in mid-2020 to support a greener recovery for Aotearoa New Zealand. The four-year programme will bring thousands of people into nature-based employment, benefiting te taiao (the environment) and New Zealand’s communities.
The agencies administering the funding are Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, Land Information New Zealand and Ministry of Business Innovation and employment.
Strategic oversight of the programme
The Ministers responsible for the Jobs for Nature programme are the:
- Minister for the Environment
- Minister of Local Government
- Minister of Agriculture/ Biosecurity/ Land Information
- Minister of Forestry/ Economic and Regional Development
- Minister of Conservation
- Minister of Climate Change
The Ministers have strategic oversight of the Jobs for Nature programme and are supported by an advisory group.
The Jobs for Nature Advisory Group is a mix of public and private sector members with an independent chair.
The role of the Advisory Group is to provide strategic advice to Ministers and agencies to enhance the success of the Jobs for Nature Programme.
As an Advisory Group, it does not make decisions. Decision-making rests with Ministers and agencies as appropriate.
The Advisory Group:
- supports the development of an evaluation framework for the Programme investment
- provides on the ground feedback about project delivery
- supports the development of communities of practice
- provides advice on the Crown’s strategic investment in the environment beyond Jobs for Nature.
The Advisory Group was established in place of the Reference Group with a revised role and membership. The Reference Group provided advice on funding decisions and developed an investment framework [PDF, 209 KB] to support this.
Dave Brash is the independent chair of the Advisory Group. Dave was the National Recovery Manager for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and led the national recovery from the Kaikoura earthquake and Whakatane floods. He is the current Managing Director of dbconsulting and the independent chair of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving Board.
The funding is being used to create nature-based work activities, including:
- vegetation planting for freshwater and biodiversity restoration
- fencing waterways both on public and private land
- pest and plant control (including wilding pines and wallabies)
- fish passage remediation
- skills training to support career development in environmental management.
Funding recipients include local Government, Iwi, Charitable trusts, Community Catchment Groups, community groups and private companies.