Applications are currently closed
The Public Waterways and Ecosystem Restoration fund aims to address contamination of New Zealand’s waterways, create enduring environmental benefits, support sustainable land use, and create jobs with a regional spread. It is part of the Jobs for Nature programme.
$67,080,287
In July 2020, the government announced $61,980,287 of funding from the Public Waterways and Ecosystem Restoration fund to 22 projects to improve freshwater quality.
In November, an additional $5,100,000 was awarded to two other projects bringing the total funding value to $67,080,287.
Job seekers - If you’re a job seeker check out the projects below. These are managed by councils and other organisations. They are funded through the Jobs for Nature programme. We suggest you monitor councils’ current vacancies or careers pages. They may have jobs being advertised for these projects now or in the near future.
| Recipient | Project title | New jobs expected over life of project | Crown funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland Council | Mahurangi East land restoration | 55 | $5,000,000 |
| Mahurangi River Restoration Trust | Restoring our River | 50 | $4,064,237 |
| Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Bay Conservation Cadets | 170 | $3,500,000 |
| Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Accelerating Freshwater Improvement in the Bay of Plenty | 33 | $3,000,000 |
| Environment Southland | Expand our Action on the Ground projects to increasingly protect and restore Southlands Biodiversity | 60 | $4,250,000 |
| Environment Southland | Expansion of Regional Fish Passage Restoration | 12 | $385,000 |
| Tairawhiti Environment Centre | Tairawhiti Agroecology Recovery Project (TARP) | 70 | $4,848,250 |
| Greater Wellington Regional Council | Riparian management major rivers | 50 | $2,500,000 |
| Greater Wellington Regional Council | Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project | 100 | $3,500,000 |
| Hawke’s Bay Regional Council | Hāpara Takatū | 30.5 | $2,100,000 |
| Horizons Regional Council | Riparian planting and stream fencing | 125 | $4,681,000 |
| Horizons Regional Council | Lake Horowhenua wetlands | 45 | $11,200,000 |
| Horizons Regional Council | Enhancing indigenous fish populations through fish passage remediation | 15 | $2,572,000 |
| Marlborough District Council | Catchment Care Programme | 15 | $600,000 |
| Nelson City Council | Riparian management major rivers | 30 | $1,700,000 |
| Northland Regional Council | Whangārei urban awa (blue/green) project | 8 | $524,800 |
| Taranaki Regional Council | 'Transforming Taranaki' through Riparian Management | 120 | $5,000,000 |
| Tasman District Council | Waimea Inlet enhancement project | 6 | $500,000 |
| Tasman District Council | Waimea Inlet Billion Trees Project (Phase 2) | 14 | $1,100,000 |
| Waikato Regional Council | Lake Kimihia lake level restoration project | 4 | $740,000 |
| Waikato Regional Council | Restoration of Opuatia Wetland | 4 | $230,000 |
| Waikato Regional Council | The Piako River Green Corridor | 47 | $2,825,000 |
| Waikato Regional Council | Upper Waioumu Willow and Poplar Removal and Habitat Enhancement | 21 | $1,740,000 |
| West Coast Regional Council | Karamea riparian restoration | 22 | $520,000 |
| Totals | 1091.5 | $67,080,287 |