South Waikato Environmental Initiatives

The South Waikato Environmental Initiatives (SWEI) committee is a unique group which distributes money each year to landowners in the South Waikato District who would like to undertake:

• Native plantings around waterways
• Native plantings in and around wetland areas

The SWEI committee provides money towards such projects at the following rate: $3.50 (plus GST) per plant.

How do I apply?

• Click here to fill out an application form
• The grant round for 2021 has been extended until 31 March 2021.

Fund Details

The SWEI Committee was set up to administer and distribute funds that are paid from Oji Fibre Solutions - Kinleith Mill, as a condition of their wastewater discharge consent into the Waituna and Kopakorahi Streams that flow into Lake Maraetai.

The SWEI distributes approximately $30,000 of funding annually towards works, which will improve the natural environment with priority given to catchment care.

To ensure transparency in distributing the funds, the SWEI Committee undertakes site visits to check that the work has been completed to the necessary standard. Following this the applicants are reimbursed to the amount approved by the Committee.

Part of the funding agreement is for the applicant to uplift the funding before 1 February the following year otherwise the funding is forfeited.