New environmental project fund launched

Supporting PKW whānau with the means to carry out environmental initiatives and projects is the inspiration behind a new annual $50,000 fund.

The Taiao Fund has been established as part of the commitment PKW made to the environmental wellbeing of its waterways, flora, and fauna and whenua with the introduction of its Kaitiakitanga Strategy last year.

“We want to encourage our owners and their whānau to reconnect with the whenua by providing the funding projects of this nature need to progress,” says Dion Luke, Kaitiakitanga Project Co-ordinator. “We know that people want to be actively involved in protecting taonga species by carrying out restoration work on biosystems and habitats, for example, and now community groups can plan what needs to be done and then access the Taiao Fund as a contribution of funds to the overall project.”

The fund, which will be administered and distributed by the Committee of Management, will give precedence to proposals that take place on PKW owned and managed land. Priority will be given to projects such as wāhi tapu protection, restoring taonga species habitats, biodiversity and water monitoring that complement the existing work PKW is undertaking to realise strategic environmental aspirations. There is also potential for considering community māra and mahinga kai initiatives, along with collaboration with Taranaki Māori community groups such as weavers, carvers or rongoā exponents to access resources.

Projects that promote activities that do not take place on PKW owned and managed whenua will also be considered, but there must be a clear benefit for Taranaki whānau, marae or hapū.

“While proposals can be quite diverse in their aims and methods, we are looking for those that are consistent with our core values of Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Whakapono, Whanaungatanga and Kotahitanga,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “They will also need to be innovative, responsive and intergenerational to be consistent with the aims of our Kaitiakitanga Strategy.”

All applications must provide a detailed account of the proposal including its location, when it will take place, when it is to be completed, an itemised budget, how project outcomes and learnings will be communicated and shared and what potential challenges the project may face.

“Each proposal will be assessed on its merit, so it is important that applicants provide comprehensive and detailed information, evidence of their collaboration with others, the benefits the project will bring, a focus on health and safety and how it will foster our core values,” explains Mitchell. “The Taiao Fund is a really exciting opportunity for our whānau to put existing ideas into action as well as formulating new ones.”

Applications must be submitted on the official form, which is available by contacting the Shareholder Engagement team at the PKW Whare. Digital versions can also be distributed via email.

“We are looking forward to seeing what innovative ideas and collaborative projects our people can come up with,” says Mitchell. “The Kaitiakitanga Strategy was developed to help meet the expectations our whānau hold on how we fulfil our role of kaitiaki for future generations.

“Empowering PKW whānau and supporting them in their aspirations aligns to PKW’s vision of He Tangata, He Whenua, He Oranga and this initiative is another example of how PKW is realising its vision.”