Council funding for community groups
Wellington City Council works with over 140 community groups to help protect and restore the city's native biodiversity. We have a range of funding options available for groups or individuals whose work focuses on sustainable, strategic, and community-centered projects.
If you're an established community group looking for funding you can use our Funding Portal to apply online.
Wellington City Council – Funding
Environmentally-focused funding
One of the Council funds that may apply to your environmental work is the Natural Environment Fund.
This fund supports community environmental projects that help grow our natural capital.
The fund can support projects and activities that help:
- protect the city's indigenous biodiversity
- restore riparian and coastal ecosystems
- and connect people to nature.
Funding – Natural Environment Fund
Council support and assistance
The Council supports volunteer work that focuses on restoring native pants and animals in key areas, such as re-planting and pest control.
We can offer support and guidance for:
- starting a new community group
- established community groups
- funding environmental projects
- developing restoration plans
- organising and publicising working bees or group work
- restoring a local reserve
- accessing plants for restoration planting (see below)
There are some restrictions to the types of environmental work the Council can support and some key steps involved in project planning. The support we offer takes into account the capability of the group, the natural value of the proposed area of work, and management plans for those areas.
Need support or advice? Email parkranger@wcc.govt.nz.
Providing plants for community planting
The Council grows eco-sourced native plants at Berhampore Nursery for city planting and restoration projects.
You can apply for free plants for your volunteer work if you are one of the following:
- an established environmental community group – for re-vegetation and restoration projects
- a resident – for planting between property boundaries and the road, or other public park land.
Plants for volunteer projects
Funding and support for community gardens
The Council can support you if you are looking to start a community garden or compost.
Community gardens
Other funding and support
There is a range of other organisations and partners who provide support and funding for environmental work.
Funding – Department of Conservation
Funding – Greater Regional Wellington
One Billion Trees Fund – Ministry of Primary Industries
Funding for community groups – Predator Free Wellington