Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

Auckland Council is inviting applications from rural landowners and catchment groups for projects that protect and enhance riparian margins, wetlands, waterways, and flood resilience in priority catchments. The funds provide a contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs for activities that improve water quality, protect habitats, and strengthen flood resilience. For the 2026/27 funding round, priority will be given to projects located within designated catchment areas and to restoration activities that establish an average 10-metre setback from streams and rivers or restore wetlands.

About the Catchment Restoration Funds

The Auckland Council Catchment Restoration Funds are designed to address key environmental challenges affecting priority catchments, particularly: - Water quality. - Flood resilience. - Habitat protection. - Riparian restoration. - Wetland restoration. - Native fish migration. The funding supports practical restoration activities that help protect waterways and improve the resilience of rural and natural environments. 2026/27 Priority Catchments For the 2026/27 funding round, priority will be given to projects located within the following catchment areas: - Aotea/Great Barrier Island - Āwhitu Catchment - Hūnua Stream - Kumeū Huapai - Matakana River - Mahurangi West - Mauku Stream - Matheson Bay - Oira Creek - Ōrere River - Papakura Stream - Pukekohe-Tutaenui Stream - Slippery Creek - Taitaia Stream - Te Arai - Waitangi Stream - Warkworth - Whangamaire Stream - Whangapouri Creek - Whangateau Applicants should confirm that their proposed project is located within one of the priority catchments before applying. Additional Project Priorities In addition to location-based priorities, particular emphasis will be placed on restoration projects that provide long-term benefits for waterways and wetlands.

Priority will be given to:

- Restoration establishing an average 10-metre setback from streams and rivers. - Wetland restoration projects that improve water quality. - Wetland restoration that strengthens flood resilience. - Activities that protect and enhance riparian margins. - Projects that support native habitat and aquatic ecosystems. Funding Available The funds will provide a contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget clearly identifies eligible activities and the costs associated with completing the restoration work. What Activities Are Eligible? Funding can support practical activities that contribute to catchment restoration and environmental protection.

Eligible activities include:

- Stock exclusion fencing for flood plains and waterways. - Alternative water supply for stock. - Site preparation for native planting. - Supply of native, eco-sourced plants. - Planting of native, eco-sourced plants. - Maintenance of native plantings. - Removal of barriers that support the migration of native fish species. These activities are intended to improve waterway protection, reduce environmental impacts, restore native vegetation, and support healthier aquatic ecosystems. Who Can Apply?

Funding is available to:

- Rural landowners. - Catchment groups. Projects must be undertaken on private properties larger than 5 hectares and must be located within the identified priority catchments. Applicants should demonstrate that their project will contribute to the environmental objectives of the funding and provide benefits to the relevant catchment. What Projects Are Not Eligible? The funding does not support certain types of projects or costs.

The following are not eligible:

- Projects on public land. - Retrospective work that has already been completed. - Earthworks. - Activities required as a condition of resource consent. Applicants should ensure that proposed activities are eligible before including them in their project budget. How the Funding Can Support Rural Restoration The program can help rural landowners and catchment groups undertake practical restoration work that may otherwise be difficult to fund. For example, funding can contribute toward fencing that keeps livestock away from waterways, native planting along riparian margins, alternative stock water supplies, wetland restoration, and removal of barriers affecting native fish movement. These activities can provide combined benefits for water quality, biodiversity, habitat protection, and flood resilience. Why Catchment Restoration Is Important Healthy riparian areas and wetlands play an important role in protecting waterways and supporting biodiversity. Restoring vegetation along streams and rivers can help protect waterways from rural impacts, while wetlands can contribute to water quality and flood resilience. By supporting landowners and catchment groups, the funding encourages locally based restoration projects that contribute to broader environmental outcomes across Auckland’s priority catchments. Tips for Applicants Applicants should consider the following when preparing a project: - Confirm that the property is within a priority catchment. - Ensure the private property is larger than 5 hectares. - Clearly describe the environmental problem being addressed. - Explain how the project will improve water quality, habitat, or flood resilience. - Prioritize activities that align with the program’s additional restoration priorities. - Provide a clear breakdown of eligible project costs. - Ensure that proposed work has not already been completed. - Do not include earthworks or resource-consent requirements as eligible activities. Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for the Auckland Council Catchment Restoration Funds? Rural landowners and catchment groups can apply for funding for eligible restoration projects. How much funding can applicants receive? The funds provide a contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs. What size property is eligible? Projects must be undertaken on private properties larger than 5 hectares. Whe