Māori Climate Platform fund
Applications are currently closed
The purpose of the fund is to support Māori climate action by investing in marae-based climate adaptation and mitigation projects that build resilience to climate change.
This is a closed, invitation-only contestable fund.
Those invited include Post-Settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs), organisations who we need to notify of fund openings under the Treaty Settlements Commitments Register, and organisations recommended by the National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) Pou Take Āhuarangi.
Marae-specific applications need to be submitted or endorsed by invited organisations with the agreement and support of relevant marae committees and appropriate landowners.
This funding is for marae-based climate adaptation and mitigation projects that contribute to:
- the enhanced resilience of communities and ecosystems;
- marae infrastructure that reduces climate risks and safeguards taonga and culturally significant sites; and/or
- Energy efficient marae who are also integrating renewable energy.
Investment priority areas:
- Resilience infrastructure – to support the protection of marae, their surrounding environments and taonga from climate-related hazards by investing in resilient infrastructure planning and solutions (e.g. flood banks, seawalls, water storage/reticulation).
- Energy resilience and energy efficiency – to enhance the energy independence, reliability, and sustainability of marae and communities by supporting the adoption of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures and reducing emissions (e.g. solar and other renewable options).
This funding is NOT for:
- projects better and more likely to be funded by another agency
- projects where landowner permissions are not already in place (clear roles and responsibilities for the asset are required both now and in the future)
- land purchases or lease, feasibility studies and businesses cases, and capacity/capability building and projects with predominantly private benefits (for individuals rather than groups) or where assets can be easily on-sold for profit.
- All projects must be completed by 30 June 2026.
- Funding envelope is approximately $9 million.
- Project funding may range from (excluding GST) $300,000 (minimum) to $2 million (maximum).
- All applications must be submitted by 11.59pm (NZ time) on 31 August 2025. No extensions will be allowed.
- All applications must be made through the link to the online platform which has only been provided to invited groups.
Stage 1 projects
The first stage made $3.58 million available for five initial projects, benefitting 13 marae, as a pilot for the programme.
| Project | About the project |
|---|---|
| Opureora 3 Trust – Bay of Plenty | Coastal erosion mitigation project at Opureora Marae on Matakana Island to help safeguard the marae, surrounding Māori land, and culturally significant sites from coastal erosion and sea-level rise. |
| Toitū Tairāwhiti Builtsmart Ltd – Gisborne | A community solar microgrid in Te Karaka to provide reliable backup power for critical services during severe weather. |
| Mātihetihe Marae Trust – Northland | Upgrading the water reticulation system serving Mātihetihe Marae, the kura, public facilities and 57 properties in the Mitimiti community to maintain safe drinking water during and after severe weather. |
| Taranaki Mounga Project – Taranaki | Restoring native ecosystems and expanding revegetation through planning more than 10,000 native trees and completing weed and animal pest control around Te Papa Kura-o-Taranaki. |
| Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust – Nelson and Marlborough | Installation of solar power and water storage infrastructure across the nine marae of Te Tauihu to strengthen marae resilience during severe weather. |
Stage 2 projects
A further $7.25 million for 18 Māori-led climate initiatives, benefiting 57 marae.
| Project | About the project |
|---|---|
| Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust Limited – Hawke’s Bay | Installing solar power systems across four marae in the Wairoa region, offsetting approximately 29,000kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Ngāti Manawa Custodian Limited – Bay of Plenty | Water treatment and storage for up to 180,000 litres of drinking water, and solar energy systems offsetting approximately 23,000kWh at two marae in the Whakatāne region. |
| Ōnuku Rūnanga Incorporated – Canterbury | The Manaaki Marae project will reduce flood risk to Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa, Canterbury through the installation of a retaining wall, field drainage system, swale and sub-surface drainage system. |
| Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua – Auckland and Northland | The Whātua Wai Māori project will upgrade drinking water infrastructure across 15 Ngāti Whātua marae to meet Taumata Arowai drinking water regulations. |
| Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa Incorporated – Greater Wellington | Installation of 60,000 litres of water storage, a pumping facility, and a solar system offsetting approximately 92,000 kWh per year in energy usage at Waiwhetū Marae. |
| Ngā Tāngata Tiaki Custodian Trustee Limited (fund holder for Te Whawhaki Trust) – Whanganui | Supporting greater energy resilience and sustainability across eight marae in Whanganui, through installing solar power systems offsetting approximately 96,000 kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Te Runanga o Arowhenua Limited – Canterbury | Upgrading solar power capability to provide reliable and sustainable energy at Arowhenua Marae, the upgrades will offset approximately 46,000 kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust Ltd – Whanganui | Supporting the installation of up to 300,000 litres of water storage and treatment systems, as well as roofing, stormwater and septic system upgrades across six Ngāti Rangi marae. |
| Hokonui Research and Development Ltd – Southland | Dismantling, relocating, and upgrading essential services and reinstating O Te Ika Rama Marae at a new site away from its current home in a low-lying floodplain. |
| Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua – Northland | The Kia Tau te Wai, Kia Tau te Ora project upgrades drainage culverts and floodgates at Te Houhanga a Rongo Marae to protect cultural assets and ensure the marae can serve as a refuge for its community. |
| Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust – Gisborne | The Turanga Waewae Pakura solar project will strengthen the resilience of the Manutuke and Gisborne communities and three marae, and will offset approximately 13,000 kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu – Canterbury and Otago | Installing solar energy systems at four marae across Canterbury and Otago, which will offset approximately 267,000 kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Tūhourangi Marae Trust – Bay of Plenty | Tūhourangi ki Ōtūkawa Marae is installing a solar system, roofing and electrical upgrades and 50,000 litres of water storage. |
| Hongoeka Settlement Incorporated – Greater Wellington | Flood mitigation works to protect Hongoeka Marae and associated papakāinga in Porirua from severe weather. |
| Raukawa Charitable Trust – Waikato | Upgrading four marae in the Waikato with solar systems, offsetting approximately 78,000 kWh per year in energy usage, and 240,000 litres of water storage. |
| Ngati Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust (Incorporated) – Waikato | Te Whare Hauaruru ki Uta Energy Collective is installing solar systems across four marae, offsetting approximately 19,600 kWh per year in energy usage. |
| Pahipoto Marae Committee – Bay of Plenty | Installing solar systems at Kokohinau and Uiraroa Marae, offsetting approximately 19,600 kWh per year in energy usage to strengthen energy resilience and reduce emissions. |
| Ngā Taonga O Ngāi Takoto Trust Board – Northland | Supporting surface flooding mitigation works at Mahimaru Marae and Waimanoni Marae. |
For more details on Stage 1 and 2 projects, see Māori-led climate resilience.
Stage 3 projects
Approximately $1.36 million for four more projects. Details for these projects will be released once contracts are in place.