Te Ara Urutau – Climate and Emergency Ready Fund

 A journey to a resilient Tāmaki Makaurau.

This grant programme is designed to support community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau to:

• take meaningful action on climate change and
• be emergency ready.

It will support projects that:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• prepare people for emergencies
• help communities adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

We have more than $1 million available for the 2025/2026 financial year. We expect to run the programme every year if funding is available.

The fund combines previous and new grants into one simple process. This makes it easier for communities to access more climate resilience funding.

Through one application, organisations can apply for up to two of these funding categories:

Emergency Readiness and Response: Help communities work together to get ready for natural disasters and extreme weather events.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: Support community-led and Māori-led projects that cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable food, energy, transport and community practices. Community organisations may recognise this as the Auckland Climate Grants.

Climate Adaptation Planning and Implementation: Enable community-led planning and action projects for challenges like flooding, sea-level rise and drought. Community organisations may recognise parts of this as the Auckland Climate Grants.

You can choose the categories you want to apply for when you are completing the application form on Smarty Grants.

All interested applicants must read the Te Ara Urutau – Climate and Emergency Ready Fund Guidelines before applying.

The guide explains:

• more about the programme
• the project categories and how they should benefit community, people and places
• who is eligible to apply
• which activities are not eligible
• how we assess applications
• your reporting requirements.

Grant applications must be for a minimum of $5000.

The guidelines document outlines the maximum amount available for each funding category. You can combine the maximum amounts if you apply for more than one funding category.

Visit Work out your budget for guidance on how to create a budget and what it needs to include.

This fund is likely to be very competitive.

We recommend you preview the application form on Smarty Grants well before the fund opens so you can:

• answer each question with the assessment criteria in mind
• ensure your application includes all the information and supporting documents needed.

You can also check the 'Assessment and funding decisions' section of the guidelines document. 

We will run an online webinar to:

• give an overview of the grants available
• outline the application process
• answer general questions.

Email us on funding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you have questions or cannot register online.

If your group does not have a legal structure, you can apply through an umbrella organisation A registered charity, trust, or incorporated society that agrees to receive and manage the grant on your behalf. . They sign the funding agreement and are responsible for how you spend the grant.

It is your responsibility to find one. Email us on funding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you need help finding one as we may know of groups that can help you.

Umbrella organisations may charge a small administration fee that you will need to include in your budget. 

Applications are open from 2 February to 8 March 2026.

We will let you know if your application was successful by phone or email.

We will send successful applicants a funding agreement outlining the conditions of the grant and reporting requirements. We must receive the signed agreement before we can provide the funds. 

Download the guidelines to read the full details, requirements and eligible categories for this fund.

The difference between emissions reduction and adaptation

Emissions reduction: Taking action to slow climate change. We do this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural systems that absorb carbon. In Auckland, communities can make the biggest impact by choosing low-carbon transport options, food and energy. 

Adaptation: Getting ready for the changes we are already seeing in our weather like heavier rain, hotter days and rising sea levels. We need to find practical ways to stay safe and live well as these changes continue.