Horizons Regional Council is pleased to award funding to 39 community projects through the 2025 Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant and the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund.

Horizons councillor and Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant committee member Fiona Gordon says improving our region's precious indigenous biodiversity is no small task.

“It involves clearing invasive weeds, planting native species, restoring wetlands, and trapping pest animals.

“These projects are complex, require teamwork, and often demand long-term commitment and investment.

“This grant helps communities get projects off the ground or sustain progress they have already made.

“We’re deeply grateful to all those working hard in our community to protect and restore

our region’s precious indigenous biodiversity,” says Cr Gordon.

The total funding allocated to both grants this year was $422,000, and includes funding allocation for eight multi-year projects from previous years.

This year local communities across the region will benefit, with seven projects from each of Ruapehu and Whanganui, four from each of Tararua and Rangitīkei, three from Palmerston North, nine from Horowhenua, four from Manawatū, one from Waitomo, and one project covering three regions.

Horizons councilor and Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi fund committee chair Nikki Riley says it is fantastic to be able to support community projects which are making a real difference for climate change.

“We’re excited to see how these initiatives strengthen our communities as they build resilience to climate changes.” says Cr Riley.

Congratulations to the 32 successful projects for the Horizons Regional Council’s 2025 Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant, these are:

• Aorangi Whanau Trust – Whenua Ora project (Whanganui)

• Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park Trust – Wetland development (Manawatū)

• Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park Trust – Phragmites karka control and research (Manawatū)

• College St Normal – Educational biodiversity garden (Palmerston North)

• David and Harriet Eade – Wetland restoration (Whanganui)

• Forest and Bird Rangitīkei – Sutherlands Puriri Trapping (Rangitīkei)

• Ihaia Taueki Trust – Restoration of Inanga-riki Lagoon wetland (Horowhenua)

• Ihaia Taueki Trust – Restoration of Pakau-hokio-iti wetland (Horowhenua)

• Kirikau Valley Community Trapping – (Ruapehu)

• Koitiata Wetland Restoration Group’ – Koitiata Wetland restoration project (Rangitīkei)

• Manaaki Ruahine – Āpiti Track restoration (Tararua)

• Manawatū River Catchment Collective – Pest animal trap library (Manwatū, Horowhenua & Tararua)

• Mandy Brooke – Somme Parade Walkway revegetation (Whanganui)

• Mangahao River Catchment Collective Group – Wetland expansion project (Tararua)

• Matiere Catchment Group – Matiere Trap bank (Ruapehu)

• Ngāti Te Maunga Whenuakura - Te Taurima i Ngā Mātāpono Tiaki mō Whenuakura Pest Animal Control (Ruapehu)

• Ngawakahiamoe Bush Trust – Fencing & Planting (Horowhenua)

• Ohaumoko Trust – Forest development in the Mangatipona Stream Catchment - Pest plant control (Rangitīkei)

• Otiranui Guardians – Trapping expansion programme phase two (Ruapehu)

• Owhango Alive Society Incorporated – Whakapapa Whio Protection Project (Ruapehu)

• Peter and Ella Grant – Matatū Manu Restoration (Whanganui)

• Pikiariki Restoration – Pikiariki Restoration Rat Control Project (Waitomo)

• Project Tongariro - Mangawhero River Walkway Restoration (Ruapehu)

• Raetihi School – Outdoor classroom development (Ruapehu)

• Sally Pearce – Rangitīkei Remnant Weed Busting blitz (Rangitīkei)

• St Joseph’s School – Almadale Reserve Restoration (Manawatū)

• Te Roopu Taiao o Ngāti Whakatere Trust – Restoration of Te Maire Lagoon (Horowhenua)

• Waikawa Beach Environment Group (WBEG) - Reay Mackay Dune Revegetation Long-term Project (Horowhenua)

• Wairua Conservation – Kai Iwi pest animal control (Whanganui)

• Waitarere Rise Residents Society Incorporated (WRRSI) – Waitarere Rise Reserve riparian margin planting (Horowhenua)

• Waitarere Rise Residents Society Incorporated (WRRSI) – Waitarere Rise Reserve trapping project (Horowhenua)

• Weber School – Wai Restoration project (Tararua)

And for the additional seven for the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund, which are:

• Environment Network Manawatū (ENM) – Growing Gardens & Communities programme (GGAC) (Palmerston North)

• Heritage Food Crops – Community Gifting for Health and Resilience Project (Whanganui)

• Kahuterawa Valley Regeneration Club – Plant my berm (Palmerston North)

• Ngapera-Kehu Ahu Whenua Trust –Improving the awa and whenua biodiversity (Whanganui)

• Tararua REAP + Dannevirke Community Garden (Tararua)

• The Eco School - Resilient household assessments & workshops (Whanganui)

• Wildlife Foxton – Recycling and Climate Resilience (Horowhenua)

For more information on these projects, keep an eye on the Horizons Facebook page where projects are regularly featured.

The next round of applications for the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant will open in March 2026. For more information about what grants Horizons has available to community groups, please see horizons.govt.nz/grants-and-sponsorships.