The Hawke's Bay Nature fund opens from 4th of August 2025 and closes on the 26th of September 2025 

Applications received after 5pm on 26th September will not be considered. 

Key dates for 2025:

• 4th August - Applications portal opens
• 26th September - Application portal closes
• October - Grant Committee reviews applications
• November - Applicants notified of final decisions

Northern Grant Area 2025 - 2028

A written description of the priority area can be found in the Guide for Applicants 

The Guide for Applicants outlines the fund’s eligibility and assessment criteria, provides an overview of the application and funding processes, and describes the information you will be asked to supply. Please ensure you read the guide fully before commencing with your application. 

  Guide for Applicants 

Please refer to the guide below to ensure you have the correct documentation before applying for your grant

Documentation Required by Applicants 

A project budget template can be downloaded below.  A link to this template is also accessible from the application form on the Grants Portal 

Project Costs Template 

Grants can be used towards activities that are focused on pest control and revegetation in the priority area. This can include costs associated with training (including health and safety) where it is a component of a project that includes on-ground activities. 

Funding for salaries and contractors is eligible, but applicants must demonstrate in the application why these are vital to the completion of the project and align with fair market rates.

The following items are not able to be supported by the Hawke's Bay Nature Fund: 

• retrospective costs (i.e. costs incurred prior to the funding application being approved)
  
  
• reimbursement of landowner time or voluntary labour
  
  
• activities that individuals, organisations or councils are required to do by law 
  
  
• proposals that are designed to generate personal or commercial profit
  
  
• the development of an activity for which public use will be restricted by copyright or patent
  
  
• debt repayment or the refinancing of loans
  
  
• participation in statutory processes or litigation
  
  
• on-funding (i.e. using grant to issue grants to third parties)
  
  
• vehicle purchase
  
  
• venture capital
  
  
• land purchase
  
  
• academic scholarships
  
  
• local and central government fees and charges, with the exception of fees associated with applying for resource consent but
  excluding costs for the public notification of an application and other associated costs (e.g. related to hearings). 

The Hawke’s Bay Nature Fund will fund projects of $25,000 and over.  There is approximately $500,000 (excl. GST) available annually to fund projects. When deciding how much to apply for make sure that your budget is accurate, sufficient, and realistic.  

Resources to support the delivery of your project
DOC Hawke’s Bay are ECCT's advisors for the Hawke’s Bay Nature Fund. 

Resources to support the delivery of your project including reporting templates can be obtained by emailing hawkesbaynaturefund@doc.govt.nz. 

Depending on the nature and complexity of your project you could access your first grant instalment within a month of being notified. 

For multi-year projects, at least 10% of the funding approved for the final project year will be retained to be paid upon completion of the project once the final project report has been submitted and verified by the advisors.  

Grantees must complete all reports requested by the Fund, including a final results report. Or, if awarded a multi-year grant, meet milestone conditions such as providing a results report by due date(s), which will be specified in Reporting and Payment schedules. Payment of any subsequent grant instalments may not be made until all the milestone reporting requirements are met in full and is subject to the funding being available.

Grantees will be required to report quarterly on the progress of their project and provide a final report on completion of the project.  As our advisors, the DOC Coordinator will liaise with grantees regularly and provide the project progress forms.  They will also conduct quarterly visits to your site so they can report on your project to ECCT.  

Grantees must complete all reports requested by the Fund including a final results report. Or, if awarded a multi-year grant, meet milestone conditions such as providing a results report by due date(s), which will be specified in Reporting and Payment schedules. Payment of any subsequent grant instalments may not be made until all the milestone reporting requirements are met in full and is subject to the funding being available.

DOC Hawke’s Bay are ECCT's advisors for the Hawke’s Bay Nature Fund. Resources to support the delivery of your project including reporting templates, eligibility criteria and alignment with conservation strategy or plans can be obtained by emailing hawkesbaynaturefund@doc.govt.nz 

If you require assistance with the grants portal please contact ECCT by emailing info@ecct.org.nz