In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government established the $1.219 billion Jobs for Nature package in mid-2020 to support a greener recovery for Aotearoa New Zealand. The four-year programme will bring thousands of people into nature-based employment, benefiting te taiao (the environment) and New Zealand’s communities.
The agencies administering the funding are Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, Land Information New Zealand and Ministry of Business Innovation and employment.
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Jobs for Nature programme management
Strategic oversight of the programme
The Ministers responsible for the Jobs for Nature programme are the:
- Minister for the Environment
- Minister of Local Government
- Minister of Agriculture/ Biosecurity/ Land Information
- Minister of Forestry/ Economic and Regional Development
- Minister of Conservation
- Minister of Climate Change
The Ministers have strategic oversight of the Jobs for Nature programme and are supported by an advisory group.
The funding is being used to create nature-based work activities, including:
- vegetation planting for freshwater and biodiversity restoration
- fencing waterways both on public and private land
- pest and plant control (including wilding pines and wallabies)
- fish passage remediation
- skills training to support career development in environmental management.
Funding recipients include local Government, Iwi, Charitable trusts, Community Catchment Groups, community groups and private companies.