Grants awarded to community projects

Horizons Deputy Chairperson and Community Grant committee member Fiona Gordon says halting the decline in our native biodiversity and building resilience to climate change is no easy task.

“Rules and regulations can only do so much. It's our community that plays the lead role in making great things happen, so it's important Council collaborates in ways that empowers this work.

“Our community is working hard to restore wetlands, protect native bush, increase opportunities for environmental education, monitoring and increasing local food systems.

"It's these kinds of partnership approaches that can really help lift our game across the region for native biodiversity, and building resilience around food, water and energy, says Gordon.

“The contestable grants do a great job of supporting this important work.

“We've seen impressive results through these grants to date and this year looks set to be another successful round of funding."

The total funding allocated to both grants this year is $419,000 and includes funding allocation for seven multi-year projects from previous years.

This year local communities across the region will benefit, with eleven projects in Whanganui, seven in both Ruapehu and Horowhenua, three each for Tararua, Rangitīkei and Manawatū, two from Palmerston North, and one in Waitomo.

Congratulations to the 29 successful projects for the Horizons Regional Council’s 2026 Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant, these are:

• 800 Trust - Makino Station pest animal control (Ruapehu)

• Boulder Farm – Pest control (Manawatū)

• David and Harriet Eade - Restoring Indigenous Wetlands at Pukeroa (Whanganui)

• Dream Makers Charitable Trust - Kaikaka Block Biodiversity Restoration (Whanganui)

• Explore Pahiatua Inc - Exotic tree removal at Carnival Park (Tararua)

• Green Stag Ltd - Erua Ora Biodiversity Restoration Project (Ruapehu)

• Ihaia Taueki Trust - Pakau-hokio-iti A6B - Restoration of Wetland (Horowhenua)

• Jono Gribble - Wetland restoration and pest removal (Whanganui)

• Koitiata Wetlands Restoration Group – Wetland restoration project (Rangitīkei)

• Kopua Bush – Bush restoration (Tararua)

• Mandy Brooke - Somme Parade Walkway Revegetation (Whanganui)

• Ngāti Te Maunga Whenuakura Incorporated Society - Mahere ki kaitiakitanga a Whenuakura (Ruapehu)

• Ngapera-Kehu Ahu Whenua Trust – Wetland restoration (Whanganui)

• Ngawakahiamoe Bush Trust – Planting supplies (Horowhenua)

• Ohaumoko Trust - Forest development in the Mangatipona Stream Valley (Rangitīkei)

• Peter & Ella Grant – Matatū Mana Restoration (Whanganui)

• Pikiariki Restoration – Rat control (Waitomo)

• Project Tongariro - Mangawhero River Walkway Restoration (Ruapehu)

• Ruahine Whio Protection Trust - Te Potae O Awarua and the Pohangina River (Rangitīkei)

• Sustainable Whanganui – Predator Free Whanganui community trapping project (Whanganui)

• Taumata Plantations Limited - Pungapunga River Whio Recovery Group (Ruapehu)

• Te iwi o Ngāti Tukorehe Trust - Te Waro A Pest Control and Eradication Program (Ruapehu)

• The Learning Environment (Woven Rivers Trust) – STEM resources for education (Whanganui)

• Trees for Survival - Restoration & Education Programme (Manawatū)

• Waikawa Beach Environment Group (WBEG) – Dune revegetation (Horowhenua)

• Wairua Conservation – Kai Iwi restoration project (Whanganui)

• Waitarere Rise Reserve Society Incorporated - Riparian Planting and Biodiversity Improvement (Horowhenua)

And for the additional eight for the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund, which are:

• Dannevirke High School - Tapu-Ata Mauri/ Mana Research Project (Tararua)

• Environment Network Manawatū – (Palmerston North)

• Palmerston North Interfaith Group - Climate Charity Event (Palmerston North)

• Levin Repair Café - Sustaining Monthly Repair Cafe Events (Horowhenua)

• Mangaone West Catchment Group - Poles planting in the Upper Mangaone West (Manawatū)

• Ohakune Kindergarten- Rainwater Harvesting System (Ruapehu)

• The Eco School - Energy Efficient Homes (Whanganui)

• Whanganui Intermediate School - Mara Kai extension and Forest School House Native Plant Restoration - (Whanganui)

For more information on these projects, keep an eye on the Horizons Facebook page where projects are regularly featured.

The next round of applications for the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant will open in March 2027.