The Environmental Initiatives small grants fund is available all year round and will fund up to $1000 for new or ongoing projects submitted by individuals, groups or organisations.

Now in its sixth year, $32,600 was awarded in small grants funding to 32 projects across the Manawatū catchment.

Here is a sample of projects completed in 2025/ 2026 that address each of our four pou:

Supporting local biodiversity projects in the Manawatū

The small grants fund has supported some incredible biodiversity projects with each project illustrating the power of small local actions and the impact they can have on the restoration and recovery of our region’s ngāi tipu (flora) and ngāi kīrehe (fauna).

One project tackled the invasive tradescantia which is smothering one of the last footholds of the native Giant Maidenhair Fern in the Ashurst Domain. Now found only in the Manawatū gorge, this already vulnerable species is under even more stress because of climate change and extreme weather events. The volunteer group working in Ashurst Domain engaged with students from the Massey University Sustainability Club, swapping grocery vouchers for the use of their younger arms and legs to do some weeding!

Another project saw the installation and maintenance of trap lines in the Fitzherbert area of Palmy. Targeting invasive species such as possums and rats reduces the pressure on our native birds, insects and plant life in urban green spaces, creating better conditions for them to thrive. During the funding period, a group of 11 volunteers checked and serviced 92 traps, installed another 30, and captured 267 pest animals – incredible!

Supporting a local circular economy

The small grants fund continues to support projects that diverts materials or items from landfill and supports local communities.

It’s all too easy to throw things away and buy new, but each of these projects demonstrate the impact of thinking differently about large and small items we no longer need. Got a random pile of textiles in your wardrobe? A sewing machine heirloom you can’t use? A VHS player that hasn’t been used in twenty years? Or a wind turbine blade you can’t fit in the garage? Read on…

A project that intercepts used sewing machines and other accessories from going to landfill and donates them to refugees new to Aotearoa received funding which helped to run a ‘Sewing Machine Drive’. The project was hugely successful and received 140 donated sewing machines from Palmy residents. Many of these machines had been stored in garages or cupboards for more than 10 years and only a few were beyond repair (which were sold to Macaulay Scrap Metals).

Donors expressed their delight that their much-loved machines will help those who are new to the country and many go on to become enthusiastic advocates, spreading the word very effectively.

Our funding also enabled the expansion of a free e-waste collection service and the responsible processing of 3.39 tonnes of material. By removing the transport cost barrier, more businesses and organisations were able to take part in responsible e-waste disposal, resulting in a significant increase in material diverted from landfill. The project reduced the risk of improper disposal and diverted items destined for landfill by either refurbishing them for further use or allowed the dismantling and recovery of valuable materials such as rare earth metals.

Ever thought about what happens to wind turbines at the end of their life? This was the task given to participants of an event which our funding contributed to. This Circular Economy Hackathon was developed with the purpose of developing solutions for 97 retired wind turbine blades. Teams made up of students, engineers, designers, member of the public worked on this real-world complex challenge, increasing their awareness of circular economy principles and strengthened connections between local groups.  Participants enjoyed the opportunity to engage, learn and collaborate with others, and demonstrated a clear desire for future events.

Food Sovereignty in the Manawatū

There is so much interest, passion and enthusiasm for all things food across the Manawatū! Many of the small grants awarded support projects that want to improve their community’s food sovereignty. Funding is often used to purchase plants, compost, tools, materials to build or refurbish raised beds or sheds, or help with transport costs so that their volunteers can take part in local events and activities.

Connecting with a community garden can also support holistic health and wellbeing, particularly amongst young people who are increasingly disconnected from nature, and suffering from poor mental health. Gardening can help to foster a sense of achievement in a safe, nurturing space away from the challenges of daily life.

One ongoing gardening project was established to provide support to young people with a range of mental health conditions. The small grant received enabled the project to purchase plants and resources needed for ongoing use of the garden where young people learn how to grow and cook their own kai using traditional practices, build knowledge of whenua, and develop personal resilience as part of their recovery.

Through mentorship and community, this method of functional recovery gives young people purpose and structure to their day while learning about something new and worthwhile - and tangible, as young people can give the kai they have grown to their whanau.

Climate Action

Knowing where to start in taking action against climate change can feel overwhelming or hopeless – how do you know what to do, or whether it will make a difference?

So, it might be comforting to know that all of the projects funded through the small and large grants EIF directly or indirectly address climate change mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) or adaptation (building resilience against unavoidable climate impacts) – and are therefore taking climate action!

Two specific projects highlight the importance of community, sharing the load, and reinforcing the power of positivity for climate action.

We have already written about the Climate Clarity Youth Forum 2 which received small grants funding to deliver a fantastic event for our city’s schools. You can read about this event here.

Another project used small grants funding to help in the printing and distribution of Aotearoa’s first interfaith climate action resource. The funding specifically helped with national and regional launches which then inspired further workshops to create climate action groups within faith communities and interfaith councils. The guide is available online here, as well as in hard copy in both public libraries here in Palmerston North, Diocesan libraries and school libraries. It has been so well received that there has been a request for reprints!