Source: Northland Regional Council
Fifteen community-led Taitokerau projects from planning for climate adaptation to installing solar infrastructure on marae have secured a total of $480,000 funding through the latest round of Northland Regional Council’s Climate Resilient Communities Fund.
The 2026 funding round, the third tranche of investment from the fund, provides support for projects that will strengthen climate resilience in communities from the Far North to Kaipara through practical action focused on energy, water, food systems, ecological restoration and climate adaptation planning.
This year, the fund had $480,000 available for allocation but received an overwhelming response from communities, with 90 applications seeking a combined $3.5 million.
Northland Regional Council Chair Pita Tipene says the level of demand highlights both the growing awareness of climate risks and the willingness of communities to take practical action now to build resilience for future generations.
He says the successful projects range from solar power and water security initiatives at marae, to dune restoration, regenerative farming, youth leadership programmes, and hapū-led climate adaptation planning.
“Climate resilience is strongest when it is built locally.” “These projects are community-led, grounded in local knowledge and priorities, and focused on creating solutions that work for the places and people of Taitokerau.”
The 15 projects funded demonstrate significant potential to make a real difference in their communities while contributing to the wider resilience of our region and include:
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Two energy resilience projects, supporting solar power and battery systems at Te Rāwhiti Marae and Pananawe Marae.
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Two water resilience projects, improving water security for Te Huruhi Marae in Awarua and the remote community of Maraewhiti.
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One kai resilience project, expanding the successful Peruperu Rawa initiative to strengthen food sovereignty and community enterprise.
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Four nature-based resilience projects, focused on regenerative farming in Kaipara, development of a living classroom for ecosystem restoration in Kawakawa, Mangawhai Harbour protection through planting of the spit and a kura-led dune restoration at Kaimaumau.
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Six planning and preparedness projects, supporting climate adaptation planning, youth leadership, hapū resilience frameworks and whānau preparedness.
This full list of this year’s successful projects is:
Energy resilience (Te Ngao)
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Te Rāwhiti Marae Solar Power ($40,000) – solar power installation at Te Rāwhiti Marae to strengthen energy security and emergency response capability.
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Pananawe Marae Energy Security Upgrade ($40,000) – replacing diesel generator dependence with solar and battery storage at Pananawe Marae.
Water resilience (Te Wai)
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Water Resilience (Te Wai) ($38,867) – bore water system for Te Huruhi Marae in Awarua to provide reliable year-round water supply.
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He Oranga Whānau ($19,900) – protecting a remote community’s sole water source and improving water security in Maraewhiti.
Food resilience (Te Kai)
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Peruperu Rawa Stage 2 ($40,000) – expanding a circular peruperu economy through seed sharing, growing knowledge and community enterprise opportunities.
Nature-based resilience (Te Taiao)
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Future Ready Farms ($39,725) – supporting regenerative and climate-adaptive farming practices across the Kaipara District.
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Kawakawa Climate Resilience Community Hub ($34,783) – developing a living classroom focused on food systems, water resilience and ecosystem restoration.
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Mangawhai Distal Spit Planting Programme ($18,000) – restoring the Mangawhai Harbour spit using locally sourced native plants.
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Whakaora i te Roto me te Tatahi ($5,000) – Te Kura o Waihārara led dune restoration and native plant propagation at Kaimaumau East Beach.
Planning and preparedness
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Girls Who Grow – Te Tai Tokerau ($20,000) – empowering young wāhine to become climate resilience leaders.
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Te Aumangea o Ngāti Tara ($30,000) – strengthening hapū climate literacy and coastal resilience.
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Matawara Matawhānui Taiao o Te Uri o Tai ($40,000) – developing a hapū-led climate resilience framework for Pawarenga.
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Ngāti Rēhia Climate Adaptation Plan ($40,000) – supporting hapū-led adaptation planning for climate risks.
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Ngāti Kuta Rohe – Hapū and Community Resilience ($39,050) – developing a coordinated resilience roadmap and building local capability.
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Te Roroa Climate Resilient Marae & Whānau Programme ($34,000) – delivering marae resilience planning and whānau preparedness initiatives.
Background
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The Climate Resilient Communities Fund supports community-led initiatives that strengthen climate resilience across Taitokerau.
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Since inception, the fund has now invested approximately $1.65 million across 59 community-led projects.
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The fund operates across five resilience streams: Te Kai (food), Te Wai (water), Te Ngao (energy), Te Taiao (nature-based resilience), and Ngā Mahi Whakamahere (planning and education).