New funding to make a splash improving water quality

The Government is going the extra mile backing the Sustainable Business Network’s Million Metres Streams’ project with a $200,000 funding boost, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced today.

“I am excited to be able to announce this funding from the Community Environment Fund for the Million Metres project in time for this year’s autumn planting season.

“The Million Metres project aims to improve water quality by restoring native vegetation along more than 500 kms of New Zealand’s waterways which makes up more than 1 million metres.

“New Zealanders have told us that they care about our rivers, streams, wetlands and lakes and want to see them clean and healthy and fit for swimming and gathering kai from. The Million Metres project is helping by encouraging communities to plant more trees, shrubs and other native plants beside rivers and streams,” said Eugenie Sage. 

The funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Community Environment Fund represents around 20 per cent of the project’s total costs.

“The Community Environment Fund is one of the many ways this government is working to better care for our environment by protecting nature, improving water quality, and tackling climate change. All of these benefit from planting native species.

“Alongside funding help such as this, the government is making good progress in developing new rules to help protect and restore our freshwater for all New Zealanders.

“I applaud the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who are taking practical action to help restore rivers and streams to health by planting trees and shrubs on their banks. These provide shade to keep water cool which is good for fish, provide habitat for insects which fish and aquatic life need to feed on, reduce erosion and trap contaminants.

“The Sustainable Business Network encourages projects that strengthen community partnerships and enable people get involved in new environmental initiatives,” Eugenie Sage said.

 

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform

The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RM...
Read More

Story

Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Tra...
Read More

Story

Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today.
Read More

Story

Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. 
Read More

Story

Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequenc...
Read More

Story

Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation

The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf.
Read More

Latest Water Announcements

Story

Greenpeace nitrates research proves need for strong freshwater regulation

The Green Party is welcoming the release of an interactive map which enables people to monitor nitrate levels in their drinking water.
Read More

Story

Three waters rebrand insufficient

Today the Government adopted a long held Green Party position to increase the number of water entities to ensure a closer connection with communiti...
Read More

Story

Freshwater crisis needs stronger government action

New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and freshwater are in crisis and there needs to be a more ambitious Government plan to clean them up and protect agains...
Read More

Story

Changes needed to three waters plans

Greater local oversight and control, seven instead of four entities, stormwater staying with councils, and stronger safeguards against privatisatio...
Read More

Story

National reckless on rivers

The opposition’s dangerous plan to scrap rules to improve the health of rivers and lakes around Aotearoa highlights the importance of having a stro...
Read More

Clean Water

From the maunga to moana, water is a taonga which must be protected, but too many rivers, lakes, and wetlands have been polluted over the years, an...
Read More