The latest investment of $2.1 million in farmer-led catchment groups has taken the number of groups receiving support past 150.
In announcing funding for 31 groups in Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Wairarapa at Mangaweka on Tuesday, Minister Damien O’Connor says more than 5000 farmers are focused on restoring freshwater through their involvement in 171 funded catchment groups.
“In the past 18 months, almost $29 million has been invested in catchment groups, through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ extension services and Jobs for Nature programmes,” O’Connor said.
“We’re investing a further $910,000 over two years in the Rangitīkei Rivers Catchment Collective, where 17 catchment groups will be supported, with the potential for several more.
“In the Wairarapa, the Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance (WaiP2K) has been allocated $1.1 million over two years to support five existing farmer-led catchment groups and enable up to 10 more to be established.”
The Manawatū Rivers Catchment Collective, which was set up last year to bring sub-catchment groups within the wider Manawatū River catchment together, has been allocated $120,000 for a nine-month project to support nine existing groups.
