Jobs for Nature project profiles

Big Bay Awarua Conservation Trust

This project is protecting native bird species such as mātātā/fernbird, matuku-hūrepo/bittern, rail, and kākā by carrying out pest control in remote Fiordland and South Westland.

27 people have received training and employment opportunities, which has contributed to improving capability and capacity in conservation.

Big Bay Awarua Conservation Trust profile document (PDF, 6,144K)

The Backcountry Trust

This work involves the preservation and maintenance of backcountry huts and tracks and pest control in smaller communities affected by a loss of tourism revenue due to COVID-19.

The project created 147 jobs for tourism and construction workers, offering flexible, short-term work. They have maintained and restored 30 huts, including the historic stone Aspiring Hut, bridges, and 130 kms of tracks, improving the experience for domestic and international tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Backcountry Trust profile document (PDF 12,370K)

Ngā Awa river restoration

This profile focuses on what’s been achieved by Jobs for Nature projects for freshwater and the local communities along three Ngā Awa rivers: Whanganui River in Central North Island, Ko Waikanae Te Awa on the Kāpiti Coast, and Rakitata (Rangitata) river in Canterbury.

River restoration project profile (PDF, 1,223K)

Hem of Remutaka Coastal Wetland Restoration

This project is a joint effort to restore the life force (mauri) of the ‘Hem of Remutaka’ by:

• improving the natural environment
• restoring coastal and wetland areas
• upgrading hiking and biking trails. 

The project has employed 8 people and helped them develop practical skills and connect to their whenua using Mātauranga principles. It has also setup a new nursery that grows over 60,000 native plants each year for regional projects.

The project so far has:

• reintroduced kiwi
• improved flood protection
• restored fish spawning areas to support commercial and recreational fishing
• boosted tourism and recreation with better hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. 

Hem of Remutaka Coastal Wetland Restoration profile document (PDF, 8,221K)

Mahitahi

This project is a joint effort to restore the Maitai/Mahitahi Valley ecosystem in Nelson. It employed over 59 workers, helping them gain skills in a wide range of different roles.

Mahitahi profile document (PDF, 1,790K)

Mana in Kaimahi

This project created jobs for at least 61 people, in particular at-risk Māori youth, in plant nurseries in the Tamaki region. The nurseries help with growing and planting native plants and trees, controlling weeds and pests, and more. They receive funding from a number of sources. DOC has contributed $2.5 million.

Mana in Kaimahi profile document (PDF, 1,944K)

Mauri Oho – Ruahine Species Recovery

This project, led by mana whenua, is working to restore the Ruahine area and nearby farmland. It has employed about 12 people, helping them connect with the taiao and mātauranga. They are trained in useful skills like using technology for environmental monitoring and project management. By controlling pest animals, the project has helped the whio (blue duck) population recover, and some rivers are now full again. They also involve the community and provide on-the-job training to deepen people’s connection to the whenua and build local skills.

Mauri Oho – Ruahine Species Recovery profile document (PDF, 2,180K)

Ngahere Manaaki

This project is restoring the whenua along the Whanganui River. Ngahere Manaaki has planted more than 20,000 native trees and plants, many of which came from their new native nursery.

As well as these plantings, they also:

• control pests on 250 hectares
• manage weeds on 210 hectares
• have built and repaired many kilometres of fencing along the river.

Ngahere Manaaki profile document (PDF, 3,673K)

Partnering to Plant

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) started Partnering to Plant Aotearoa (P2P) to connect community restoration groups across New Zealand.

The programme helps support local projects that restore waterways through 12 partnerships.

Partnering to Plant profile document (PDF, 6,200K)

Waipapa Pikiāriki Project

This project employed 13 people from Pureora, Waikato. They work on controlling pest animal and plants to help protect several threatened native species, like the North Island kōkako and blue duck/whio.

Waipapa Pikiāriki Project profile document (PDF, 1,300K)