Maunga ki Tai

1 / 4

A newsletter from the
J U N E 2 0 1 5
MESSAGE FROM
THE CE
The Waikato River Restoration
Forum has received its first
briefing on the progress of the
5-15 year Waikato River and
Waipa River Restoration Strategy.
The Strategy seeks to objectively
evaluate and determine the
priority projects that could
be funded over the next 5 to
15 years. This process may be
challenging for some parties
if they feel their priorities are
not visible, but the process will
ensure that funders, including
the Authority, are spending
money where it best supports
fulfillment of the vision
and strategy – and that
is what should matter
most to all of us.
Fifth funding
round underway
Pictured: A Waikato River Authority funded
project has enabled the Trees for Survival
Trust to expand a school programme of
raising and planting native seedlings.
See full story on page 4.
then legal protection of that land via
covenant maybe required.
The Funding Strategy 2015 is available
on-line at
key-documents or from the Waikato
River Authority at 21 Rostrevor Street,
Hamilton.
To date the Waikato River Authority
has distributed $22 million to 141
projects over four funding rounds
from 2011. A full list of projects and
their individual status is published on
the Authority website.
Funding applications will again
be managed online through the
Waikato River Authority website
.
Up to $6 million will be made
available for clean-up projects.
As part of the funding process, the
Waikato River Authority has also
reviewed, and published its Funding
Strategy 2015 which is also
available online.
Waikato River Authority co-chairs
Hon John Luxton and Tukoroirangi
Morgan say funding priorities include
the Waipa and lower Waikato River
catchment, wetland restoration and
projects that are focused on
improving water quality.
“In order to provide certainty to
groups and individuals looking to
carry out river clean-up projects with
Waikato River Authority funding,
our funding strategy is relatively
unchanged from the previous year,”
says Mr Luxton.
“We know that many projects require
multi year planning and delivery, so
we are conscious that we need to give
a consistency of approach in terms of
signaling what is of importance. We
believe this will ultimately give the
best outcome long term for the river,”
he says.
This year’s Funding Strategy also
includes a policy position from the
Waikato River Authority on the fencing
standards required for restoration
planting that has been funded by
the Authority. This outlines the
requirement for both sheep and cattle
and for electric and standard fencing.
The Funding Strategy is also indicating
that where project funding is invested
in environmental land improvement
THE WAIKATO RIVER AUTHORITY HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS
FOR ITS FIFTH FUNDING ROUND. APPLICATIONS FOR CLEAN-UP
PROJECT FUNDING OPENED ON 15 JUNE 2015. APPLICATIONS
WILL CLOSE ON 14 AUGUST 2015 WITH SUCCESSFUL
PROJECTS NOTIFIED IN NOVEMBER.