- The Waiheke Local Board has more than doubled the funds it gives to environmental programmes for the 25/26 financial year.
- The boards environmental programme increases funds to existing and new programmes
Waiheke’s environmental initiatives will get a major boost in the 25/26 financial year thanks to the local board’s allocation of $419,400 toward its Environmental Programme.
The allocation, one of the board’s largest ever, more than doubles last year’s programme and includes increased funding to existing programmes such as the Climate Action Activator role ($71,000) and the Waiheke Island Water Quality Project ($61,000) both run by board partner the Waiheke Resources Trust (WRT).
“We are really excited to receive this additional funding come though from the board,” says WRT Partnerships Manager Kristin Busher.
“These programmes are already making a positive impact on our local environment and our community, and this extra funding is going to be a huge help to our staff and volunteers in the tireless work they do to support Waiheke’s unique environment.”
Other ongoing programmes supported by the plan include:
Conservation Advocate – Waiheke Collective Coordinator, $49,400
Leadership role for Waiheke Collective, a community-led network that works with Mana Whenua to “restore and sustain a healthy and thriving natural environment on Waiheke”. Major initiatives of the collective include Te Korowai o Waiheke and the Waiheke Marine Project.
Waiheke Marine Education Initiative $43,000
Hands-on educational programme for school students involving snorkel surveys, shellfish monitoring, freshwater quality and fish monitoring, rocky shore studies, beach clean-ups, and bird or pest surveys.
Waiheke Construction Waste Leadership Programme - $25,000
Programme working with builders and developers on improving site practices and compliance to reduce waste generated by the construction and demolition sector.
New initiatives are also part of the boosted programme, such as:
Kaitiaki Rangatahi– GIS Te Taiao - $50,000
Support for a young Ngāti Paoa individual to build hands-on experience in Geographic Information Systems, conservation and cultural practices to support a Biodiversity Strategy / Te Taiao plan for that will involve Ngāti Pāoa and other iwi as key partners with Auckland Council and the Waiheke Collective.
Planting High Value Sites - $35,000
Focused planting programme aimed at priority areas such as wetlands to support threatened species’ habitats.
Pest Plant -Community Advocacy - $25,000
Community support for areas affected by pest plants, such as moth weed, that the Natural Environment Targeted Rate doesn’t already cover.
Waiheke Weed Amnesty - $30,000
Twice yearly initiative that allows Waiheke residents to dispose of pest plants for free at the Waiheke Community Resource Recovery Park.
You can review the full programme of the board’s environmental initiatives for the 25/26 financial year.
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