Media Release
Six catchment groups awarded $10,000 each to improve our land and waterways
NZ Landcare Trust and Westpac New Zealand have announced the six successful recipients of the 2024 Westpac Water Care Project grants. The $10,000 grants will support sustainable initiatives for biodiversity, river health and wetlands throughout the country.
The successful grant recipients are: Pokaiwhena Catchment Group (Upper North Island), Whangara Community Catchment Group (Eastern North Island), Roding River Catchment Group (Central New Zealand), Upper Waikirikiri Catchment Collective (Canterbury), Ida Valley Catchment Group (Otago), and Gore Catchment Group (Southland).
The Westpac Water Care Project was established in 2022 by NZ Landcare Trust and Westpac NZ and supports conservation projects run by regional catchment groups around the country.
NZ Landcare Trust CEO Dr Nick Edgar says it’s been great to see the progress made by different catchment groups since the Westpac Water Care Project was established.
“Catchment groups have used their grants to achieve some meaningful environmental outcomes in their regions,” Dr Edgar says.
“The aims of the different projects are really diverse, meaning we’ve seen a fantastic range of initiatives undertaken. Over the past year, grants have enabled catchment groups to do everything from fencing planting areas through to creating new wetland areas, improving animal crossings and restoring native bush. We’re looking forward to seeing the 2024 grant recipients embark on their projects.”
As part of the project, Westpac employees throughout the country provide volunteer support to the catchment groups, working alongside NZ Landcare Trust’s coordinators. In 2023, nearly 60 Westpac employees helped out with different projects.
Westpac NZ Head of Agribusiness Tim Henshaw says the bank’s employees welcome the chance to work on grassroots conservation projects in their communities.
“Protecting and enhancing our environment is crucial to helping farmers and rural communities to thrive. Our partnership with NZ Landcare Trust forms part of our support for those communities, alongside our expert business insights and innovative lending products like our Sustainable Farm Loan,” Mr Henshaw says.
“We’re committed to helping New Zealanders look after their own backyards and it’s been really encouraging to see the progress made by the different catchment groups over the past few years.
“All Westpac employees receive two volunteer leave days each year, and we’ll be encouraging our staff to get their hands dirty alongside other passionate locals on these projects.”
The six recipients of 2024 Westpac Water Care Project grants & their goals:
- Pokaiwhenua Catchment Group (Upper North Island) will partner with the Mokaihaha Kōkako Trust, landowners, foresters and iwi to expand predator control efforts to improve biodiversity in the catchment.
- Whangara Community Catchment Group (Eastern North Island) will undertake predator control in wetland sites and the National Marine Reserve to protect populations of rare wetland birds.
- Roding River Catchment Group (Central New Zealand) will facilitate weed control and native planting in the catchment.
- Upper Waikirikiri Catchment Collective (Canterbury) will undertake native plantings and predator control efforts in the catchments.
- Ida Valley Catchment Group (Otago) will work with students to create a native plant nursery that will support the native bush regeneration of Poolburn Gorge.
- Gore Catchment Group (Southland) will create a low-cost wetland with community access for locals and school tamariki.
Achievements of the 2023 Westpac Water Care grant recipients:
- Planted 8,340 native trees
- Trained 53 individuals
- Connected 10 experts with catchment groups
- Improved the management of 5.75km rivers
- Installed 163m fencing
- Improved seven wetlands
- Controlled 0.25ha of weeds
- Involved 432 community members
More information about the partnership and funding can be found here.
