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Please plan ahead or complete your online request after services return on Monday 23 March.
Te Pūtea Tiaki Arawai me Te Pūtea Whakawātea Wāhi mō te Wai Tuawhenua Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund
About the Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund
We have two regional grants for rural landowners and community groups that work on private property larger than 5 hectares. These grants are for projects that:
- improve water quality and freshwater ecosystems
- improve flood plains A flat area of land that is prone to flooding. and wetlands Shallow pond that supports a natural ecosystem of plants and animals that are adapted to wet conditions. Wetlands typically provide treatment of stormwater by removing sediment which contains contaminants such as heavy metals. to reduce the impact of flooding.
The priority water catchment areas for the 2026/2027 funding round are:
- Aotea/Great Barrier Island
- Āwhitu Catchment
- Hūnua Stream
- Kumeū Huapai
- Matakana River
- Mauku Stream
- Oira Creek
- Ōrere River
- Papakura Stream
- Pukekohe-Tutaenui Stream
- Slippery Creek
- Taitaia Stream
- Waitangi Stream
- Whangamaire Stream
- Whangapouri Creek.
View the catchment maps
Types of projects funded by the grant
- Environment
Grant value
We will assess your application and decide how much funding we can contribute.
Outcomes
The funds support projects that:
- protect flood plains, waterways, lakes and wetlands through stock-exclusion fencing Fences that keep cattle, horses, pigs and deer out of certain rivers, lakes and wetlands.
- improve riparian margins A strip of land identified along the edges of natural watercourses including streams, lakes and wetlands. Commonly known as a streambank., wetlands and flood plains by planting native and eco-sourced plants in areas without stock
- remove barriers to support the migration of native fish species
- provide alternative water supply for stock that previously drank water from unfenced waterways.
Funding priorities
We prioritise applications that have been successfully assessed against these criteria:
- environmental benefits
- community benefits
- feasibility The possibility that something can be achieved. and likelihood of success
- partnership with iwi.
Before you apply
Read the Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund guidelines before you apply.
The document describes:
- who can apply
- how to apply
- our funding priorities
- what we will and will not fund
- the funding process and how to prepare your application
- the assessment criteria
- how we provide funding.
Visit What we do not fund to find out more about what regional grants do not cover.
Schedule of prices
Our land advisors use a schedule of prices to:
- estimate the total value of your project
- help decide how much funding we can contribute to your project.
Check the schedule of prices before you apply.
How to apply
Applications are open from 23 February to 15 March 2026.
Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund dates
| Grant round | Applications open | Decision due | Activity to start after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant round one | 23 February - 15 March 2026 | 30 June 2026 | 31 July 2026 |
More about the Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund
Previously funded projects
Download the project document to find out who has received funding in previous years.