Queenstown Lakes, New Zealand (14 July 2026) – Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown have opened applications for their 2026 Impact Grants, with close to $100,000 raised this year to support environmental initiatives across the Queenstown Lakes district.
The annual grants programme supports charitable organisations and community groups working to protect and regenerate local ecosystems. Eligible organisations can apply for funding between $5,000 and $10,000, with applications open from 14 July to 6 August 2026.
Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown Community Fund Coordinator Ash Bickley says the annual grants round is an opportunity to direct community support towards local environmental projects.
“There is always a real sense of excitement when applications open, because this is where the generosity of visitors and local businesses turns into practical support for our communities,” Ash says.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributes to Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown, from visitors making donations through to local businesses and partners who continue to back this work year after year.
“These grants support work that is often hard to fund, but incredibly important for the wellbeing of our place. It’s a joy to see that support flow through to local projects and play a small part in looking after the environment that makes Queenstown and Wānaka so special.”
Funding is available for project, programme, or operational costs.
Previous grants have supported a wide range of community-led initiatives, including conservation programmes in Tāhuna-Glenorchy, region-wide planting initiatives, wetland restoration at Wai Whakaata-Lake Hayes, citizen science projects, efforts to reduce single-use cups in Wānaka, and programmes that connect visitors with local conservation and restoration stories.
Since launching in 2023, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown have raised more than $250,000 for environmental mahi, supported the planting of more than 10,000 native trees, and shared stories of sustainable and regenerative travel with more than 12 million visitors.
Funds are raised through donations from visitors, local businesses and the visitor industry, including one-off contributions, customer donations and support from Impact Partners. Impact Partners make an annual commitment to contribute 1% of their net proceeds, or $10,000 or more.
Last year, $85,505 was shared across 12 organisations working across the district, while 20% of every contribution was also invested into endowment funds, helping build a legacy for community and environmental projects in Queenstown and Wānaka.
2025 grant recipients included Mana Tāhuna, Plastic Free Wānaka, WAI Wānaka, Whakatipu Wildlife Trust, Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies Group.
Mat Woods, chief executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, thanks everyone who has contributed.
“That support means a lot in any year, but especially in a year when the cost of running a business has been under real pressure,” he says.
“For businesses to keep showing up, contributing where they can, and supporting local environmental action says a lot about the commitment in this region.
“These funds are a practical example of tourism giving back to the places and communities that make Queenstown and Wānaka so loved.”
Funding is allocated in partnership with the 45South Community Foundation, with applications assessed by an independent distribution committee.
More information, including full eligibility criteria and application details, is available at lovewanaka.co.nz or loveqt.co.nz.
About Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown
The Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown Community Funds support grassroots environmental efforts, providing an opportunity for visitors and businesses to give back and help care for the environment at the heart of our region.
Launched in 2023, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown were the first initiatives to come to life from the region’s Destination Management Plan: Travel to a Thriving Future. They are delivered in partnership with Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and the 45South Community Foundation.
Grants are available on an annual, contestable basis for charitable organisations undertaking local climate, conservation and biodiversity work.
Impact Partners include:
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Skyline Enterprises
Tourism Innovation Group
Southern Trails
Alpine Luxury Tours
Relax It’s Done
iSite Visitor Centre (Queenstown)
New Zealand Photography Workshops
Release NZ
Wānaka Mountain Guides
Wildwire
Active Massage
Racers Edge
Brand and Butter
Flooring Xtra (Wānaka)
Catch a Fish
Bella Vista Motel (Wānaka)
Copper Beech Lodge
Sweet Cheeks
iSite Visitor Centre (Wānaka).