Jobs for Nature - Mahi mō te Taiao is a $1.245 billion programme that manages funding across multiple government agencies to benefit the environment, people and the regions. It is part of the COVID-19 recovery package. The programme is intended to run for four years.
The programme aims to:
So far we have successfully bid for funding to support $5.5 million in environmental projects for Tasman District. We have applications under consideration for projects worth a further $15 million. The projects include both Government and Council funding and many will be delivered in partnership with other agencies and community groups.
The following initiatives will create jobs and stimulate our regional economy, while also delivering on our community's aspirations for significant environmental improvements.
| Total value | Jobs for Nature Government funding | Tasman District Council funding | Target number of jobs created over the duration of project (FTE - full-time equivalent) | Timeframe |
| $3 million |
$3 million Ministry for Primary Industries |
8 |
4 years September 2020 - September 2024 |
Partners: Department of Conservation, Landowners, Iwi, Kotahitanga mo te Taiao Alliance
Wilding pines. Credit: Project Janszoon
An existing plan to eradicate wilding conifers in 28,000ha of Mount Richmond forest and adjoining private land has been rescoped in light of Covid-19 impacts in order to create a greater number of jobs, by using ground teams in preference to aerial spraying in parts of the park that are more accessible by foot. The project will provide training and employment for workers over four years, as well as the potential for ongoing work in the native vegetation restoration field in other areas of Tasman District.
Mount Richmond Forest Park has unique ecosystems developed on mineral-rich geology, plants found nowhere else which are taonga (treasures) and are at risk of being lost as the area becomes a pine forest.
With a mix of Crown, iwi and private land in the area, the opportunity to work collaboratively makes this a great unifying project across the park and connected land. The area is of national park quality and, by working together, we can make great strides into restoring its outstanding natural features.
The project forms part of the Kotahitanga mo te Taiao Alliance Strategy.
You can learn more about wildings and they risk they pose to our environment here.
| Total value | Jobs for Nature Government funding | Tasman District Council funding | Target number of jobs created over duration of project (FTE) | Timeframe |
| $120,000 |
$120,000 Ministry for Primary Industries |
4 |
3 months |
A short-term project to eradicate established wilding conifers from a section of the Tākaka Hill through to the boundary with the Abel Tasman National Park.
| Total Value | Jobs for Nature Government funding | Tasman District Council funding | Target number of jobs created over duration of project (FTE) | Timeframe |
| $1.39 million |
$1.065 million Ministry for the Environment |
$325,680 | 12 | 5 years |
Sunset over the Waimea Inlet
Partners: Waimea Inlet Coordination Group, Waimea Water Ltd, Tasman Environment Trust, Department of Conservation
The Waimea Inlet is the largest enclosed estuary in the South Island, with internationally significant migratory bird species and nationally significant rushland values and other endangered or threatened species. These include birds such as bartailed godwit, white heron, royal spoonbill, little egret, Australasian bittern, and banded rail, and plants such as coastal peppercress and grey salt bush. However much of the margin, island and freshwater habitat has been significantly modified.
The new funding will allow us to extend the scale of planting from an existing Billion Trees project to re-establish vegetation on the estuary and freshwater margins, undertake effective weed management, and install 1 kilometre of fencing to protect the new plantings from damage by stock or vehicles.
We will plant and maintain 70,00 plants in to enhance and restore key estuarine ecosytems at:
| Total value | Jobs for Nature Government funding | Tasman District Council funding | Other external funding | Target number of jobs created over duration of project (FTE) | Timeframe |
| $1.023 million |
$500,000 Ministry for the Environment |
$510,480 | $13,000 - Nelson City Council | 6 | 5 years |
Partners: Waimea Inlet Coordination Group, Nelson City Council, Department of Conservation, Tasman Environment Trust
Key habitats and ecosystems within the Waimea Inlet will be restored and protected by:
