More government subsidies for managing hill country erosion are on the way but with more councils wanting to tap into the funding, Horizons will get less. It also means ratepayers will be asked to contribute more.
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy was in Wanganui on Wednesday to announce $8.8 million over the next four years for its erosion fund.
The money will go to six regional councils with Horizons getting $4.7 million which while more than half the national budget, is less than it had been receiving annually.
"It has been over subscribed this time, there has been a huge amount of interest from the regional councils," Mr Guy said.
The funds will be distributed through Horizons Sustainable Land Use Initiative (Slui) with landowners, ratepayers and government sharing costs.