Together with council and other contributions the projects, which are part of the Jobs for Nature package, will see more than $70m invested in freshwater improvements.
Environment Minister David Parker says from the Canterbury high country to sensitive wetlands in the Nelson region, to rivers in Northland, Taranaki, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Otago, the funding will help freshwater systems around the country.
“The funding will support councils and landowners to implement the new freshwater regulations and give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai by supporting stock exclusion, fish passage remediation, the development and implementation of freshwater farm plans and sediment control activities like riparian planting,” Parker said.
Te Mana o Te Wai, the guiding principle of the Government’s freshwater reforms, means protecting the life-supporting capacity of freshwater. It gives priority to the health of freshwater, then the needs of people and then commercial uses.
It’s expected that more than 400 jobs will be created across the projects.
Funding deeds will be negotiated with the successful recipients, with boots on the ground expected in the second quarter of this year.
Expressions of interest in the next funding round for freshwater improvement projects are open from January 27 to February 10.
For further information, go to mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/freshwater-improvement-fund
