Seven New Zealand Catchment Groups Awarded Westpac Water Care Grants for 2026
Seven catchment groups across New Zealand have been awarded $10,000 grants as part of the Westpac Water Care Project.
The Catchment Toolkit, a new website, was launched last month as part of NZ Landcare Trust’s ACE programme. The ACE Programme is a NZ Landcare Trust project, funded by the Ministry for the Environment (from the Essential Freshwater Fund) and supported by Fonterra.
“The Catchment Toolkit is a go-to resource hub, designed to empower and educate community-based catchment leaders and coordinators,” explains NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Nick Edgar.
“Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey in catchment management, this toolkit provides a wealth of information, knowledge and tools.”
He says the website consolidates a comprehensive online library housing numerous resources and offers a one-stop shop for everything catchment-related.
“This marks a significant stride towards fostering sustainable land management practices and is particularly noteworthy for us at NZ Landcare Trust, given our unwavering dedication to championing clean waterways and sustainable land management practices for the past 26 years.”
Edgar says ACE’s commitment to knowledge dissemination spans three core pillars:
- An online learning platform
- In-person Knowledge Hub events
- Regional Communities of Practice
"The Catchment Toolkit is the home of the ACE programme and the portal for its online learning,” Edgar adds.
“We’ve been dedicated to the realisation of the ACE program for the past 15 years. The launch of the ACE Catchment Toolkit is a true testament to our commitment as an organisation to empowering communities.”
Edgar believes the Catchment Toolkit, with a focus on building the capabilities of catchment groups, is set to create a lasting impact on sustainable land management practices and water quality improvements for generations to come.
Registrations of interest for the programme are now open.
