Catchment groups score $6m in govt funding

ALMOST $6 million will be invested in catchment groups to help farmers and growers restore the health of waterways, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced.

The money will go to seven catchment projects, in the Northland, North Waikato, Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Tasman and Canterbury areas.

“By providing financial support to catchment groups, the government is delivering on our commitment to restore the health of our waterways within a generation,” O’Connor said.

“Farmers, growers and their communities are coming together and taking the lead to restore waterways and improve the environment in catchments across New Zealand.“

O’Connor said restoring clean water is an essential part of the sector lifting its sustainability credentials to meet the demands of overseas consumers, which is a key part of the government’s plan to boost exports.

The funding is for three years and is from the Essential Freshwater Fund, part of the government’s Jobs for Nature programme.

The allocations are: $970,000 –Tukituki Land Care Incorporated (Hawke’s Bay); $960,000 –Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (Canterbury); $950,000 –Whanganui Region Catchment Collective; $920,000 – Between the Two Rivers Community Catch-ment Collective (Hawke’s Bay); $870,000 – Motueka Catchment Collective (Tasman); $673,800 – Mangatangi and Maramarua Catchment Group (North Waikato); $596,653 – Piroa Conservation Trust (Northland).