LINZ and Jobs for Nature projects with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

The Minister for Land Information, Damien O’Connor has announced four new projects from Banks Peninsula to Stewart Island under the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme.

The projects include seed banking, wetland restoration, invasive seaweed control at river mouths and the creation of digital resources mapping the historic vegetation and waterways of Te Manahuna (the Mackenzie Basin) and the upper Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. 

Overall the Government, through LINZ’s expanded Biosecurity and Biodiversity programme, is investing nearly $9 million over four years in the iwi-led projects which will create more than 40 jobs.

The Minister announced the projects at an event hosted by Te Rūnanga o Hokonui in Gore on 26 March 2021.  

Te Rūnanga o Hokonui is receiving up to $4,225,000 over four years to restore native plant and animal life across Southland’s Hokonui Hills. The project involves expanding a native seedbank and nursery for braided river restoration and carrying out horticulture and ranger training. It will deliver 12-15 jobs.

In northern Otago and South Canterbury Te Rūnanga o Moeraki aims to re-establish native habitats and mahinga kai through riparian wetland restoration along the many braided rivers in its rohe. This project is expected to deliver 9 jobs with funding of up to $3,358,200 over three years.

Meanwhile Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu will receive up to $1,406,000 over four years, delivering more than 15 jobs from year one.

This funding is for two projects that will improve environmental planning and decision-making.  

The first involves digitising historic survey maps which show the vegetation and waterways of Te Manahuna (the Mackenzie Basin), and the upper Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.  

The second is a pilot research project looking at ways to control the invasive seaweed, Undaria Pinnatifida. This research will inform biodiversity planning around river mouths and estuaries at seven sites from Banks Peninsula to Stewart Island, including those where LINZ has management responsibilities.