Grants awarded to community groups protecting and enhancing the Whangaehu Catchment

Horizons Regional Council has awarded over $65,000 in community grants for the Whangaehu Catchment this year. 

The Ngā Wai Ora o te Whangaehu grants programme is awarded to groups working towards protecting and enhancing the Whangaehu Catchment. Those eligible include schools, iwi and hapū and catchment care groups. 

The community grants programme is provided through the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund. Horizons provides co-funding, oversees delivery of on the ground work and undertakes the administration.

The community grants fund is one part of a Freshwater Improvement Fund for the Whangaehu catchment that is also supporting stream fencing and riparian planting projects.

Horizons group manager natural resources and partnerships Dr Jon Roygard says there was $69,000 available and the panel granted more than $66,000 to eight projects. 

“The amount granted includes the continuation of a two-year grant given to Makaranui Whanau, and Winiata Campsite Trust in 2019 for restoration and protection of Taonui Stream, and the tuna reserve at Makaranui,” says Dr Roygard.

“Much of the Whangaehu Catchment covers rural landscape that doesn’t otherwise receive much attention in terms of river access.” 

Spokesperson for one of the grant winners Raetihi Promotions Charitable Trust Donna Journeaux says the grant will give them the ability to complete the Mākōtuku Stream walkway and also put up signage identifying fish and birds in the area.   

“Working with the Horizons’ freshwater team, along with the grant money received over the last three years, has enabled us to complete this project. The planting and signage makes this a lovely spot for locals and visitors,” says Mrs Journeaux. 

This year’s funding was awarded to: 

• Ethical Waste, Waimarino Recycling Centre: Storm water clean-up. The grant will be used to capture contaminants before they reach waterways and raise community awareness of waste water pollution; including education around work such as removing plastics from stormwater drains.
• Friends of the Mangawhero walkway, Ohakune 2000 Inc – for removal of problem willows on the Mangawhero River.
• Lower Whangaehu Catchment – to establish a Lower Whangaehu wetland.
• Mō Te Katoa Marae Trust - Ngā Manākitanga o te Mākōtuku for riparian enhancement on the Mākōtuku Stream.
• Papakāinga Marae - Nga Mokai Tokiahuru for riparian enhancement on the Tokiahuru Stream.
• Pauro Marino Trust – for the Pauro Marino fencing and walkway project, riparian enhancement and walking track establishment on the Mangawhero River.
• Raetihi Promotions Charitable Trust – for the Makotuku walkway establishment and further enhancement of the riparian area along the Makotuku Stream through Raetihi.
• Ruapehu College – for the Makaranui monitoring and Restoration Education programme.

Horizons staff are working with all these groups at various stages in their projects.