Waikato River Authority
News Release
Tuesday, 13th September, 2011

$6m available for first round of Waikato River clean-up

The Waikato River Clean-Up Trust says it will be calling for its first funding applications for Waikato River clean-up projects from 1 October.

The Waikato River Authority is the sole Trustee of the Waikato River Clean-up Trust and was formed to oversee the allocation of a thirty-year restoration fund of $210 million which was an integral part of the Crown's Waikato River settlement with Waikato Tainui, and supported by Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa, Raukawa, and Ngati Maniapoto.

The Authority's co-chairs, Mr Tukoroirangi Morgan and the Hon John Luxton, said the allocation of funding marks the beginning of what will be a long-term process to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the river.

Up to $6 million in funding will be made available based on the quality of applications received and the amount of funding sought.

"This is an exciting time for the Waikato River Clean-Up Trust and the many people who identify with the Waikato River," said Mr Morgan. "We have a vision which we have been set up to achieve and the time starts now."

He said the Authority believes this will be a task that runs well beyond the thirty years over which it will receive Government funding.

"Indeed I believe it will be a work in progress for generations to come," said Mr Morgan.

Mr Luxton said the Clean-Up Trust’s first funding round will open for applications on Saturday 1 October and the closing date for applications will be Friday 16th December.

"We anticipate that successful applicants will be notified in early February and funding will be available to enable the successful projects to begin from March next year," he said.

He said the Trust will this month publish its Funding Strategy to guide prospective applicants on the Trust’s priority funding areas.

"We have been working closely with a number of key stakeholders to develop our priority funding areas that we consider will have the biggest impact on restoring the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River and its catchment for present and future generations," said Mr Luxton.

ENDS

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