Auckland Council is investing big in community climate action with the launch of Te Ara Urutau – Climate and Emergency Ready Fund, offering more than $1million to help community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau take bold, practical steps to tackle climate change and be emergency ready.
The fund supports projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for emergencies, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. It brings previous and new climate-related grants together into one streamlined process, making it easier for communities to access funding.
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of Policy, Planning and Development Committee says community groups told Auckland Council they wanted a single, streamlined funding process to cut duplication and make applying easier.
Te Ara Urutau – Climate and Emergency Ready Fund delivers on that feedback.
“No matter where you are on your emergency readiness or climate action journey, this fund is here to help. By supporting grassroots initiatives, we can help Aucklanders to take meaningful local climate action, reduce emissions, get emergency ready and build resilience together.
"This is about creating a fairer, thriving future for all communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
“We know when organisations, local communities and volunteers can access grants to support their work, they’re able to turn good ideas into real solutions and, in this case, help make Tāmaki Makaurau more resilient and future focused as we face the ongoing impacts of climate change.
“By working together, we will keep the people and the places we love safe from climate disruption and be more emergency ready.”
Through a single application, groups can apply for up to two of the following funding streams:
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Emergency Readiness Funding – helping communities work together to get ready for natural disasters and extreme weather events (funding requests range from $5000 to $15,000)
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Emissions Reduction Funding – supporting community-led and Māori-led projects that cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices (funding requests range from $5000 to $15,000)
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Climate Adaptation Planning and Implementation – enabling community-led planning and action for challenges like flooding, sea-level rise, and drought. Community organisations may recognise parts of this as the Auckland Climate Grant (funding requests range from $5000 to $40,000, with additional available to implement plans).
Applications are welcome from a wide range of groups committed to delivering positive outcomes for their communities. This includes community groups such as not-for-profit, charitable and voluntary organisations, mana whenua and Māori organisations, neighbourhood or resident groups, schools leading community projects, and business improvement districts, associations or social enterprises delivering projects with a community or public benefit.
Applications open 2 February 2026 and close 8 March 2026. Funding decisions will be announced before the end of May. For more information on how to apply, fund guidelines and the detailed application assessment criteria, please visit our website here.
