Auckland Council offers two regional grants for rural landowners and catchment groups working on a private property larger than 5 hectares to deliver projects that improve water quality and freshwater ecosystems and minimise the impacts of flooding.
The Waterway Protection Fund (WPF) supports projects that protect and enhance riparian margins and wetlands.
The Making Space for Rural Water Fund (MSWF) is a new Auckland Council grant programme (part of a wider Making Space for Water ten-year initiative) to reduce the impact of flooding on private rural land and properties downstream. MSWF supports projects that enhance the efficiency of flood plains and wetlands to absorb and hold water.
Funding in the September 2026/2027 round will be prioritised to the following catchments:
- Aotea/Great Barrier Island
- Āwhitu Catchment
- Hūnua Stream
- Kumeū Huapai
- Matakana River
- Mahurangi West
- Mauku Stream
- Matheson Bay
- Oira Creek
- Ōrere River
- Papakura Stream
- Pukekohe-Tutaenui Stream
- Slippery Creek
- Taitaia Stream
- Te Arai
- Waitangi Stream
- Warkworth
- Whangamaire Stream
- Whangapouri Creek
- Whangateau
Before completing this application form, please read the Waterway Protection Fund and Making Space for Rural Water Fund Guidelines for more information.
Important Information
- An application is ineligible if used to comply with any current resource consents (i.e., subdivision).
- Projects must be completed within 24 months of receipt of a signed funding agreement.
- Funding is reimbursed after work is complete and submission of evidence is received.
- The landowner is expected to manage the project area and be responsible for ongoing maintenance, including fencing, and pest plant and animal control.
- Please ensure a signed funding agreement is in place before any work starts.