400-plus jobs to be created through $34m funds: East Coast MP Kiri Allan

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Newly-appointed Cabinet minister and East Coast MP Kiri Allan says $34 million of new funding will create more than 400 jobs in ecology, restoration, trapping, pest control, fencing and project management.

The Conservation Minister said the Jobs for Nature funding would be available in two contestable funds for conservation groups and landowners to employ staff and contractors in a move aimed at boosting local biodiversity-focused projects.

It is estimated 400-plus jobs will be created.

An $18 million dedicated Private Land Biodiversity Fund will be available to established organisations who support groups of private landowners to work together to protect and restore rare habitats that safeguard populations of native species on private land.,

“We know many farmers value and are active in managing biodiversity on their farms, and this fund provides the opportunity to support groups of landowners to expand biodiversity projects while also providing jobs,” said Ms Allan.

“It also supports the broader goals of the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and the proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.

“The $16 million Community Conservation Fund is for community-led conservation projects on public and private land, and is available to community groups with a focus on practical projects aimed at conserving New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity.

“This approach will help establish community groups scale up their projects, take their conservation goals to the next level and provide great employment opportunities.”

Ms Allan, who originally entered Parliament as an East Coast-based Labour list MP in 2017, won the electorate in last year's general election and was subsequently appointed to Cabinet.

She is also the Emergency Management Minister and the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage, and Associate Minister for the Environment.