Funding for harbour mahi

Got an idea to care for the Manukau Harbour? A planting day, a stream clean-up, a wānanga, a student monitoring project? There's pūtea (funding) out there to help make it happen.

This page brings together funds that suit harbour and catchment projects. We don't hold or give out funding ourselves. We're just here to point the way.

Closing soon

Auckland Council rounds that suit harbour, environment and community projects. Most close at 10pm.

Last checked: 11 November 2026
Fund Who it's for Opens Closes
Te Ara Urutau – Reducing Our Climate Impact Climate action projects, region-wide Open now 16 Nov 2026 (midnight)
Regional Environment & Natural Heritage Grant Restoration, biodiversity, water quality, region-wide 16 Nov 2026 8 Feb 2027 (midnight)
Ngā Hapori Momoho – Thriving Communities Community-led wellbeing, region-wide Open now 11 Jan 2027
Regional Event Grants – Round 2 Events with regional reach Open now 24 Jan 2027
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Grants – Round 3 Groups in Ōtara-Papatoetoe 7 Dec 2026 5 Feb 2027
Waitākere Ranges Quick Response – Round 2 Groups in the Waitākere Ranges 18 Jan 2027 12 Feb 2027
Creative Communities Scheme – Round 2 Local arts and culture projects Open now 14 Feb 2027
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Grants – Round 2 Groups in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu 11 Jan 2027 19 Feb 2027
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Grant – Round 2 Groups in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki 8 Feb 2027 5 Mar 2027
Whau Local Grants – Round 2 Groups in the Whau 25 Jan 2027 5 Mar 2027
Papakura Local Grant – Round 2 Groups in Papakura 18 Jan 2027 12 Mar 2027
Puketāpapa Local Grant – Round 2 Groups in Puketāpapa 22 Feb 2027 26 Mar 2027

See every open and upcoming round on SmartyGrants

Where to find funding

  • If your project is in one local board area, start with that board's local grants. Most boards run two or three rounds a year.

    Franklin · Māngere-Ōtāhuhu · Manurewa · Maungakiekie-Tāmaki · Ōtara-Papatoetoe · Papakura · Puketāpapa · Waitākere Ranges · Whau

  • Bigger projects, or ones that cross several local board areas, may suit Auckland Council's regional funds:

    • Regional Environment & Natural Heritage Grant: the best fit for most harbour projects, including restoration planting, pest control, water quality and protecting heritage sites. Opens once a year, usually in November.

    • Te Ara Urutau – Reducing Our Climate Impact: for community projects that cut emissions or build climate resilience.

    • Ngā Hapori Momoho – Thriving Communities: for community-led projects that strengthen wellbeing and connection.

    • Māori Outcomes Fund: an expression of interest (EOI) for kaupapa Māori projects, including marae and mana whenua initiatives.

    • Creative Communities Scheme and Regional Arts and Culture Grants: for harbour-inspired art, storytelling and exhibitions.

  • Auckland Council isn't the only option. These funders regularly support community environmental work in Tāmaki Makaurau:

    • Foundation North: the community trust for Auckland and Northland, with grants for community and environmental projects.

    • Lottery Grants Board: including Lottery Environment and Heritage, through Community Matters.

    • DOC Community Fund: for community conservation projects on public and private land. DOC also keeps a useful list of other conservation funders.

    • Kiwibank Predator Free Communities Fund: for local trapping and predator control groups.

    • Gaming trusts and local businesses: many give smaller grants or sponsorship. Ask around your own networks too.

  • These tools search hundreds of New Zealand funders at once:

    • Fundsorter: matches community organisations with funders that fit their kaupapa, and helps prepare applications.

    • CharityData funder directory: a free directory of New Zealand grantmakers, searchable by sector, region and funder type.

    • Generosity NZ (givUS): a large database of community funding schemes. It's a paid subscription, but check whether your local library offers access.

    • Goodstack: if you are a charitable organisation, Goodstack is free. Save on essential software, discover and apply for apps via an AI writing assistant.

Support beyond funding

Pūtea isn't the only thing that gets mahi done. Around the harbour you can also find:

  • Connections with other groups, mana whenua and people already working on similar projects. Ask us and we'll try to point you to the right people.

  • Plants for restoration planting: look at your local nursery to see if they can eco-source local seeds.

  • Clean-up support: groups like Sea Cleaners run shoreline and harbour clean-ups and partner with local groups.

  • A place to share your mahi: send us your event, planting day or call for volunteers, and we'll share it on this site and in our newsletter.

  • Letters of support: the Manukau Harbour Forum may provide letters of support for funding applications that align with its priorities for the harbour.

Get in touch at kiaora@manukauharbour.co.nz and tell us what you're planning

Tips for applying

1

Check eligibility first

Legal entity, or an umbrella organisation to hold funds.

2

Talk to the funder early

Grants advisors can tell you if it fits.

3

Get paperwork ready

Quotes, budget, bank details, accounts.

4

Show the harbour link

Who benefits, and what changes for the environment.

New to applying? Start with the Centre for Social Impact funding guide.

5

Don't leave it to closing night

Portals get busy near deadlines.

manukauharbour.nz is a community-run site, supported by the Manukau Harbour Forum. Neither this site nor the Forum funds, assesses or decides on any of the applications listed here. Information was correct when last checked. Please confirm details with each funder.