Construction begins today on the new Papakura District Court which will help speed up court processes and improve critical infrastructure, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say.
“Improving the quality of New Zealand’s infrastructure is vital to creating jobs, growing our economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“Better and more efficient court processes means people can spend less time and money on legal battles and instead move on with their lives. Improving court timeliness and access to justice is a major part of plan to restore law and order, which we know is working.
“Courts are an important part of our social fabric, where the law is enforced, civil disputes are resolved, and the rights of individuals upheld,” Mr Goldsmith says.
A modern approach is being taken when it comes to the construction of the new court.
“Half the new building is being constructed off-site. These components will be delivered as prefabricated modules and then installed onsite,” Mrs McKee says.
“This is a way of building safely and efficiently, while reducing time, cost, and material resources, as we respond to demographic changes in the fast-growing South Auckland area.
“The building will include three courtrooms, two hearing rooms and, I am pleased to note, a suite for vulnerable witnesses. Victims are our priority, and this helps return them to the heart of the justice system,” Mrs McKee says.
The new courthouse is expected to open to the public in early 2027. It has an estimated construction budget of $34m.
Courts have imposed more than $800,000 in penalties since mid-March, in response to workers being killed on unsafe conveyor belts in the manufacturing industry.
Timaru director Sean Sloper and his company Point Lumber Limited are the latest to be jointly sentenced over the death of a young worker, Ethyn McTier. The 23-year-old was working near a conveyor belt, when he became entrapped in its drive roller in November 2022.
WorkSafe’s investigation found there was no guarding to protect workers along the length of the conveyor belt, or in the area where the victim was drawn in, nor had a risk assessment been done. A range of other machine safety defects were also found onsite. Point Lumber also failed to follow a safety consultant’s recommendation to safeguard the conveyor back in 2017. Mr Sloper had overall control of the company, and determined what hazard mitigation was prioritised, what was completed and when.
The conveyor belt at Point Lumber’s timber yard in Timaru.
The Timaru case has concluded after the recent sentencing of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, which also had a worker killed on a conveyor belt in Mt Maunganui.
“Endangering workers in this way is careless in the extreme, because these deaths were clearly preventable. In no way is it acceptable to be able to be killed at work on a conveyor belt,” says WorkSafe’s acting regional manager, Darren Handforth.
“The manufacturing sector must seize these two deadly incidents as a watershed moment for health and safety. We implore businesses to ensure their machine guarding meets safety standards. If necessary, engage a qualified expert to ensure your machinery is adequately guarded to avoid inflicting further tragedy on other families,” says Darren Handforth.
Guarding involves installing physical barriers and/or safety devices to prevent workers from accessing exposed moving parts on machinery.
Manufacturing is a focus of WorkSafe’s new strategy because there is persistent harm in the sector. In March this year, we conducted 304 proactive assessments nationwide in the sector and issued improvement notices in 67 percent of them – signalling the progress left to make by the industry.
Businesses must manage their risks and where they don’t, WorkSafe will take action. This is part of WorkSafe’s role to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe.
Statement from Ethyn McTier’s family
Today marks the end of a very long and difficult legal process, which our family has endured for over two years now. We are thankful for the outcome, and that Point Lumber and Sean Sloper have been held accountable for Ethyn’s death. But at the end of the day, we’ve lost someone who was a pillar in our family and the hole that has been left in our lives is immeasurable. Ethyn was only 23 years old, he had his whole life ahead of him, and his death was 100% preventable.
We just hope this serves as a warning to other employers to take workplace safety more seriously, as their decisions and actions/or lack thereof could mean the difference between life and death for someone else’s son or daughter, brother or sister and no family should ever have to go through the pain and loss we have experienced.
Ethyn McTier, who died at Point Lumber’s timber yard in 2022.
Background
Point Lumber Limited and its director Sean Sloper were sentenced in a reserved decision of the Timaru District Court on 7 July 2025.
Fines of $250,000 were imposed for Point Lumber Limited, and $60,000 for Mr Sloper.
Reparations of $140,000 were also ordered ($20,000 of which had been paid prior to sentencing).
Point Lumber Limited was charged under sections 36(1)(a) and 48(1) and 48(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Being a PCBU having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU, including Ethyn Bruce McTier, while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, namely cleaning the waste belt conveyor (also known as the big black belt conveyor), did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed the workers to risk of death or serious injury.
Sean David Sloper was charged under sections 44(1), 48(1) and 48(2)(b) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Being an officer of a PCBU, namely the sole director of Point Lumber Limited, having a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure Point Lumber Limited complied with its duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who worked for Point Lumber Limited, while the workers were at work in the business or undertaking, did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed Point Lumber Limited’s workers, including Ethyn Bruce McTier, to a risk of death or serious injury.
The maximum penalty for Point Lumber was a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.
The maximum penalty for Sean Sloper was a fine not exceeding $300,000.
At WorkSafe New Zealand, our inspectors manage a diverse range of tasks, ensuring that no two days are ever the same.
Their responsibilities include visiting businesses, helping both businesses and workers understand their obligations, writing notes and reports, conducting assessments, and investigating incidents.
We’ve been around the country to speak with our inspectors about their work, what a typical day looks like, and what they enjoy most about their roles. They all had one thing in common: they all appreciate the variety that comes with being an inspector.
When asked to describe a usual day, our inspectors talked about the dynamic nature of their work, ranging from office tasks to on-site visits, and from report writing to meetings with businesses and workers. This variety keeps their job interesting and engaging.
Our inspectors interact with a wide range of businesses across various industries, constantly expanding their knowledge and meeting new people. They are excellent communicators who enjoy finding innovative ways to connect with workers. They also excel in collaboration, often working together to consider different perspectives and develop unique solutions.
Here are some insights from our inspectors about their work:
What’s a typical day on the job like?
“Every day is different. Sometimes I’m in the office, working with the team and sometimes I’m at home focusing on my reports and notes. Sometimes I’ll be out and about visiting a variety of different businesses.” Kim, Wellington.
“You’re out and about doing proactive assessments, then you could be back in the office doing paperwork. It’s always different.” Pete, Auckland.
Is there anything you wish you knew before becoming an inspector?
“One thing I didn’t realise is how often I’d be communicating with non-English speakers. Learning to adapt and communicate with different people is definitely a challenge. It’s important to be empathetic and understanding, it’s our job to make it work and make sure our message is getting across.” Charlotte, Auckland.
“That anyone can be an inspector at any age. We work with an incredibly diverse range of people and every inspector has unique experience that makes them a good inspector.” Kim, Wellington.
“The amount of paperwork that’s involved. A huge part of the job is writing up notes, applying the correct regulations, and communicating outcomes. Our notes can sometimes be used in court, so it’s really important we take the time and get it right.” Kris, Auckland.
What’s the best thing about being an inspector?
“The opportunity to engage with the community and the opportunity to educate them on things they might not know.” Carl, Palmerston North.
“Being able to go outdoors and not being stuck at your desk all day. You could be climbing under tractors or up hills on forestry sites and farms. It can be physically challenging but it’s always good fun to get out and about” Pete, Auckland.
“Definitely the flexibility and job variety. Every day you get to learn new things.” Charlotte, Auckland.
What’s the best part of your day?
“Being able to close a file. It means you’ve been working with a business to improve their systems, and you’ve managed to reach a good result. It’s the most rewarding part.” Kris, Auckland.
“Catching up with the rest of the team to hear the anecdotes from the day. As an inspector you may be exposed to traumatic events, files, photos and statements, or may engage with people who are impacted by having a worker, colleague or family member injured, or even killed. It’s really important you can rely on your team when the job gets challenging. Being able to chat and blow off steam with other people in my team who understand is a key part of my day.” Kim, Wellington.
“After a challenging assessment, getting together with your colleagues and collating your ideas. I love having those discussions and debating what you could’ve done differently or better for next time. We’re always improving. The coffees, chit chats, and learnings with your colleagues are invaluable.” Charlotte, Auckland.
Want to become a WorkSafe inspector?
Our inspectors enjoy a varied, flexible, challenging, and rewarding job where they form relationships, engage with new people, and work together to make work safer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins’ slip of the tongue has taken out New Zealand’s Quote of the Year competition, beating a toddler’s response to seeing a goat by a mere 0.5 per cent of votes.
The quotes were neck to neck throughout the polling, which had a record 8,296 votes cast.
Hipkins’ slip of the tongue occurred during a press conference in August when he accidentally referred to New Zealanders going outside to “spread their legs”. The unusual health advice brought raised eyebrows from Dr Ashley Bloomfield who was standing next to him. The gaffe attracted 38.9 per cent of the votes.
The runner-up, with 38.4% of the votes, was “No, it’s a f…ing goat!” The quote is from footage of a Christchurch mother and her two-year-old daughter seeing a goat in their garden. Mimicking her mother’s surprise, the toddler exclaims: “There’s a f…ing goat outside!” Her mother responds: “It’s just a goat,” but the toddler corrects her: “No, it’s a f…ing goat!”
Winners from day one
Massey speech writing specialist and competition organiser Dr Heather Kavan said Hipkins’ and the toddler’s quotes were streaks ahead in the poll within the first hours of voting.
Kavan attributes their success to the light relief they provided during the pandemic. “The videos sparked wit and creativity across the internet as New Zealanders revelled in the footage.
“Almost immediately, Hipkins’ gaffe became a rallying cry to ‘Spread your legs, not the virus,’ and the toddler’s goat quote became an internet sensation.”
The gaffe that energised a nation
The full impact of “spread their legs” may never be known, and there is social media speculation that it could increase New Zealand’s birth rate, Kavan said.
“Twitter users re-imagined the war against COVID-19 through the new salacious lens. Tweet after tweet celebrated Hipkins’ trail-blazing approach and the revised X-rated meaning of ‘Go early; go hard’.
“New Zealanders posted photos of themselves and their pets spreading their legs, while the Royal New Zealand Ballet tweeted photos of its dancers doing sculpture-like leg poses that most of us could only dream of accomplishing.
“There was also a heady remix video with the sign language interpreter’s gestures portrayed as dance moves.”
This is not the first time a slip of the tongue has won Quote of the Year. In 2018, Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges beat top New Zealand comedians in the poll with his accidental reference to deputy Paula Bennett as ‘Paula Benefit’.
The toddler and the goat
Runner-up “No, it’s a f…ing goat!” was an unusual quote for the top ten because of the speaker’s young age. Although the two-year-old’s name was already public, the judges de-identified her in case the list had ramifications for her when she was older.
It was the child’s innocence that wowed voters, Kavan said. “Most of the other speakers had a topic of national importance and a relatively sophisticated vocabulary. But the toddler had a sincerity that viewers loved.”
Like “spread their legs”, the goat quote took on a life of its own, spawning social media commentary and a parody video in which the goat was replaced by footage of Donald Trump dancing. The parody has since been removed from YouTube.
Kavan said her favourite comment was by Twitter user Andrew Frame who imagined how annoyed New Zealand’s 26.16 million sheep must be that the country has gone viral because of a single goat.
Jemima Gazley
Third place, with 13.8% of the votes, went to a more serious quote—Jemima Gazley’s “If I can’t be cured, I’ll be the cure.” Fourteen-year-old Ms Gazley was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in February and spent her last weeks crowdfunding to help Australian researcher Dr Matt Dun find a cure.
“If ever a quote told a story, it’s this one. My hope is that Jemima’s family can take some small comfort from knowing her courageous words will endure.” Kavan said.
New Zealand’s Quote of the Year competition began in 2011 and celebrates the country’s best language moments.
New biosecurity rules are in place at Hauturu o Toi Little Barrier Island, making it illegal to anchor anywhere around the island.
Biosecurity New Zealand’s director, pest management, John Walsh, says the Controlled Area Notice (CAN) is in response to the discovery of exotic caulerpa seaweed in small patches on the island’s north and east coasts.
“The CAN is to prevent spread of the pest around the island or further afield.”
Nicola Rata-MacDonald, Chief Executive of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, says Ngāti Manuhiri have led a collaborative rapid response effort by placing a rāhui over the same area.
“Hauturu o Toi is a sacred taonga to our people, and as New Zealand’s first ever nature reserve, it is one of the most significant conservation areas in the world. Urgent action is needed to protect it.
“We’ve worked closely with Biosecurity New Zealand, Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation, the University of Auckland and Revive our Gulf since caulerpa was discovered here in May.
“Our operations have involved surveillance for the pest seaweed and rapid treatment using chlorine pellets under benthic (seafloor) mats. So far, we’ve treated 17 small areas of exotic caulerpa.”
Mr Walsh says since exotic caulerpa was first found in New Zealand in 2021, more than $24 million has been allocated by the government to fund efforts to find caulerpa, contain its spread and develop new technologies to remove it.
“We’re currently dealing with a very dynamic situation. While we’ve found this new area, we are also seeing substantial reductions in caulerpa in other locations. A report into this ‘biomass reduction’ is expected in coming weeks and this will look at where it’s occurring and consider possible reasons for it.”
Mr Walsh says the while the recent discovery of exotic caulerpa at Hauturu is disappointing, it isn’t unexpected given its propensity to be moved on vessels and equipment.
“We know that exotic caulerpa can be inadvertently relocated when small pieces are caught on anchors, anchor chains, and fishing/dive equipment.
“Stopping anchoring without a permit around the whole coastline out to 40 metres depth will greatly reduce this risk.”
In addition to the anchoring ban, the CAN prohibits any form of fishing in the Controlled Area that contacts the seabed such as netting, dredging, bottom trawling or lobster potting. Drift fishing, spear fishing and hand gathering are still allowed.
“Equipment used within the CAN area – for example, fishing/diving gear, needs to be inspected before leaving the area and any seaweed found on the equipment must be removed, stored securely and disposed of on shore,” Mr Walsh says.
The introduction of this new Hauturu CAN means there are now five areas under legal controls. The others are Te Rāwhiti (Bay of Islands), Aotea (Great Barrier Island), Ahuahu (Great Mercury Island) and Waiheke Island. All five CANs will soon be reviewed before they expire on 30 September this year.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is the New Zealand management authority for CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species. The convention monitors and controls international travel of items containing protected animals and plants. It ensures that long-term survival of species is not threatened.
DOC’s Team Lead Border Operations Storm Heaven says many New Zealanders head for the warmth of Pacific Islands, Queensland, or even Hawaii to escape the New Zealand winter – and many of those travellers will want to bring back mementoes of their holidays.
“Many items found in markets or even on the beach in the Pacific Islands come from threatened species – good examples include some shark teeth or jaws, and all giant clams and stony corals,” Storm says.
“It means if your souvenir is from a species protected by CITES, a permit from the country of export is needed, and in some cases, we will need to issue a permit for the item to be brought into New Zealand.”
Among the CITES items brought back by holidaymakers who’ve travelled to Queensland are packets of crocodile jerky. Although the snacks are sold legally, from farmed crocodiles, the products must be accompanied by a CITES export permit issued from Australia.
In 2024 coral, clams and crocodile jerky made up 62% of all seizures:
“Seizures of those types items alone totalled1.26 tons: that’s the equivalent weight of a male giraffe, which is also a CITES-listed species.”
Storm says the mid-year school holidays are a noted “spike” period for DOC’s CITES team, with an increase in seizures due to people not obtaining the correct permits.
DOC’s figures show seizures of CITES-listed corals and clam shells at the border spike during school holiday periods of April, July and October.
Since 2017 (excluding the COVID years of 2020 and 2021, when NZ’s borders were closed) CITES corals and clams seizures were on average 50% higher during the school holiday periods than other times.
Although CITES seizures are generally trending down, DOC continues to see noticeable increases in the seizure of these items during holiday periods.
“We understand many families want to bring back memories of their holidays, and we urge them to visit the CITES section of the DOC website to find out more about the permit process and how they can ensure their travel trinkets can be enjoyed into the future.
“Ask yourself, ‘are my goods all good?’, and if you’re not sure – check online.”
For more information
DOC has an entire section of its website dedicated to CITES, and anyone planning on travelling overseas is urged to familiarize themselves with the CITES rules.
The department carries out a range of outreach activities and publicity work to support its CITES responsibilities, which includes the export of threatened New Zealand species.
Every person, business and community has a role in protecting and restoring nature. The CITES agreement contributes to the protection of nature, especially threatened species.
New Zealand has one of the highest numbers of threatened species in the world – more than 4000 are threatened or at risk of extinction.
It’s not just a few unique species – 72% of Aotearoa’s birds, 84 per cent of our plants, 88 per cent of our fishes and 100 per cent of our reptiles are only found in Aotearoa.
DOC has received a report of a group of southern right whales/tohorā around the mouth of Otago Harbour. This is an unusual and exciting sighting, as typically only individuals or mother and calf pairs are seen around mainland Aotearoa New Zealand – not a group of this size.
“Tohorā came close to extinction due to 19th-century whaling,” says DOC Senior Science Advisor Dr Dave Lundquist.
“Seeing a group like this is a promising sign their population may be slowly recovering. It’s moments like these that reinforce the value of long-term monitoring and science-led conservation.”
At this time of year, tohorā are usually found around their breeding grounds in the subantarctic Maungahuka/Auckland and Motu Ihupuku/Campbell Islands. Sightings around mainland New Zealand are still relatively rare, and this week’s sighting offers hope these taonga of the sea may be returning more frequently to our coastal waters
The newly published research, led by the University of Auckland with DOC’s support, shows collecting small skin samples from tohorā using remote biopsy darts results in only minimal short-term behavioural impact. Of the more than 500 whales studied at Auckland Islands, 90 percent showed either no reaction or only a mild, brief response.
Published in Conservation Science and Practice, the study underpins a long-term monitoring programme essential for understanding how the tohorā population is recovering. The genetic and chemical information gathered has helped confirm New Zealand tohorā are a distinct population, track population growth, map the whales’ feeding and migration patterns, and even estimate whale ages — insights that would otherwise be impossible to gather.
“At DOC, we need to focus our efforts where it matters most. We invest our time, money and energy guided by the best science, and with a clear understanding of the trade-offs and opportunities in front of us,” says Dave.
“This research is a great example of that approach in action. It gives us confidence that scientists can continue collecting critical information about our recovering marine mammals, without compromising their wellbeing.”
DOC is building new tools and systems to help assess the cost of conservation outcomes, identify the most effective actions, and prioritise the investments that will have the biggest impact. Long-term research like this strengthens those tools and supports transparent decisions about what work can be done, where others can help, and where choices must be made.
Senior author Associate Professor Emma Carroll from the University of Auckland says the findings should reassure both scientists and the public.
“We’ve shown remote biopsy sampling — when carried out carefully — is a low-impact way to get high-impact insights,” she says. “It means we can monitor this population over time and respond to change, all without harming the whales.”
The research was also supported Live Ocean, and the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and was undertaken in consultation with mana whenua connected to the subantarctic islands.
DOC reminds people to share the coast with whales respectfully. If you see southern right whales or other whales, please give them space and follow the Marine Mammal Protection Regulations. Report sightings using DOC’s online form or the SeaSpotter app, including the number of whales, date and time, location (ideally with GPS), and direction of travel. Photos or video are very helpful for DOC — if they can be taken safely.
The young male kea was found with a shattered leg bone in Golden Bay’s Ligar Bay in February. It was caught by Kea Conservation Trust staff and flown to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital in Manawatū, where it received complex treatment and underwent a long recovery.
The kea was released into the Cobb Valley area on Tuesday after being driven to Wellington and flown across to Takaka on Golden Bay Air. Manawhenua ki Mohua supported the release.
Kea Conservation Trust’s Tracey Dearlove says it’s fantastic this kea has recovered well enough to be released back into the wild, but the incident is a reminder we need to live alongside the inquisitive and protected parrots.
“While many people think of kea as an alpine parrot, they naturally range all the way from the mountains to the sea so it’s not unexpected to see kea in lowland and coastal areas.
“Kea are smart and curious and will interact with people and objects, which gets them into trouble and poses unique challenges to their conservation.
“Typically, the younger birds are more visible as they’re especially inquisitive. This means they can stick their beaks into things you’d rather they didn’t.
“As an endangered and protected native species, it’s unacceptable and illegal to shoot or otherwise injure kea.”
Tracey says one of the main ways people can make their property less attractive to kea is by ensuring there’s no food available to them, including pet food or unsecured compost or rubbish bins.
“If they get a taste of food even once, they can hang around for weeks hoping to get more.
“Try to make your property as boring as possible. Don’t leave out unsecured items like shoes, bikes, toys and power tools that they can play with, especially at dawn and dusk when kea are most active.
“It’s a privilege to see these charismatic parrots appearing in coastal Golden Bay, but as their local population increases and we see them in backyards more often, we’ll need to learn to live alongside them.”
DOC Senior Science Advisor Kerry Weston says the nationally endangered kea are only found in the South Island of New Zealand and their population is in decline.
“There’s thought to only be 1000-5000 of these iconic and intelligent parrots left. They’re in serious trouble, mostly due to the ongoing impacts of introduced predators like stoats and feral cats.
“Interacting with people can also be a threat – such as when people feed them, which changes their natural behaviour.
“Kea like the taste of lead but its poisonous to them, so you can help by making sure there are no lead-based building materials on your house or other buildings.”
The kea database is building an understanding of where these iconic birds are found. People can record sightings at Kea Database. Anyone who sees a sick or injured kea in the wild should call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Background information
For more information about the shot kea’s recovery, read Massey University’s media release.
People can take steps to make their property less attractive to kea:
Don’t leave food (including pet food) outside, and make sure compost, rubbish and recycling bins are kea-proof. A latch or weight attached to the lid is a good way to do this. If kea get a taste of food even once, they can hang around for weeks in the hope of getting more.
Kea love the taste of lead, but its poisonous to them. Lead is most commonly found in nails and flashings of building roofs made before 1991. If you think your building may have lead fixtures, please contact the Kea Conservation Trust or DOC. They can help you find a solution.
Try not to leave your moveable things outside. Pack away items like shoes, bikes, clothes, toys and power tools, especially around dawn and dusk when kea are most active.
Protect your rubber wiring and other rubber items such as rubber seals on chimney flues with a barrier, as kea particularly like to chew on rubber.
A member of the public walking on the Rakiura Great Walk Track on 12 July reported the dead stoat to DOC, who retrieved it the next day.
The stoat’s skull was crushed indicating it had died instantaneously from either a trap or similar blunt force prior to being found on the track.
“Rakiura is known to be stoat free,” says Aaron. “The nearest stoat population is 30 km across the Foveaux Strait, their swimming range is 2 km and they are not known to stowaway on vessels. This stoat has died from a head injury then mysteriously turned up on a busy walking track.”
“We need to know if we are dealing with a new significant threat to Rakiura’s native species, or if this stoat has been transported from elsewhere and planted deliberately. Both scenarios are disturbing. We are taking this seriously.”
The dead stoat has been sent to an expert to see what further information can be obtained. Samples are being sent for genetic testing to try to determine where it has come from.
DOC is appealing to the public to come forward if they have any information about the dead stoat’s origins.
“It would have devastating implications for native wildlife if stoats were to take hold on Rakiura,” says Aaron.
“In other places in New Zealand where there are stoats, kiwi chick survival can be as low as zero without sustained pest control. Imagine the damage stoats could do on Rakiura, which is known for its tokoeka or southern brown kiwi population.”
“If stoats were to establish on Rakiura they would threaten efforts to create a predator-free space for kākāpō to be returned, and they would quickly decimate other native species on the island.”
The Predator Free Rakiura project is currently working on the removal of Rakiura’s existing pest species – rats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs – in one of the largest and most complex predator eradication projects ever attempted on an inhabited island.
Introducing pests such as stoats constitutes an offence in New Zealand, with serious consequences and penalties including imprisonment of up to five years and significant fines.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact DOC 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
The goal of the fund is to create areas of habitat alive with flora and fauna across Hawke’s Bay, and contribute to nature-based solutions to some of the region’s environmental challenges.
The fund arose from a generous bequeathment to conservation, which DOC entrusted into the management of Eastern and Central Community Trust Incorporated (ECCT). This first funding round will see approximately $500,000 of grant funding available for distribution.
Alice Heather, Lower North Island Operations Director for DOC, says supporting local community conservation is a win for everyone.
“New Zealand’s native species are unique and special, and everyone has a role in protecting and restoring nature,” says Alice. “Taking action for nature can be anything from picking up beach litter or backyard trapping, all the way up to DOC’s nationwide work to protect native species.
“We’re all in this together, so supporting projects that protect and enhance our ecosystems, and reduce the negative effects of predators our unique environment, is something everyone can get on board with.”
David Clapperton, Chief Executive Officer of the ECCT, says he is looking forward to seeing what kind of projects will apply.
“We’ve heard some ideas from community members already,” says David, “and we’re really keen to see what else the Hawke’s Bay community come up with for our local nature.”
Community groups, private landowners, iwi, and agencies throughout Hawke’s Bay can apply for the funding. Applications will be assessed by an expert panel including representatives from DOC, iwi, and the community.
The Hawke’s Bay Nature Fund 2025 opens on Monday 4 August and closes on Friday 26 September at 5 pm. Applicants will be notified of final decisions in November.