Environment Southland approves $340,000 boost for Thriving Southland

Environment Southland has approved a one-off allocation of $340,000 to support Thriving Southland’s delivery of community catchment and wetland projects across the region.

The funding, drawn from unspent 2025/26 Council funds, will enable Thriving Southland to continue its strong track record of supporting 38 catchment groups, and delivering a wide range of environmental projects and events.

The allocation will help maintain momentum for community-led initiatives focused on water quality, biodiversity, and wetland restoration.

Environment Southland Chair Jeremy McPhail said the decision reflects the Council’s commitment to empowering local communities and accelerating environmental outcomes.

“Thriving Southland has demonstrated the real value of a community-led approach, supporting catchment groups to deliver practical, on-the-ground projects that make a difference for our environment and our people.”

Environment Southland delivers a range of land sustainability and biodiversity programmes, including the Catchment Improvement Fund (which is fully allocated this year), farm planning support, catchment community engagement and biodiversity and wetland restoration initiatives.

Chair McPhail said Thriving Southland complements this work through its engagement with catchment group networks, supporting them to take on more projects that deliver positive environmental initiatives.

“The funding will help maintain that momentum, enabling more wetland and catchment projects to get underway,” he said.

“We’re proud to back an organisation that brings together farmers, landowners, and the wider community to achieve positive change for Southland.”

Previous funding has included help with delivery of 13 wetland projects, alongside co-funding and in-kind contributions from landholders.

Thriving Southland Project Lead Richard Kyte said “It’s great news for Southland’s 38 Catchment Groups to receive funding support that will enable them to keep doing the environmental mahi. We very much appreciate Environment Southland’s generous funding boost, that will support passionate communities, that connect with their Catchment Groups as they continue to deliver grass roots initiatives that have a direct, positive impact on the land, the water.”