Agenda of Climate and Environment Committee Meeting

Climate and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

24 June 2025

8 He Kōrero Hou | Updates

8.1 Update on Greener Neighbourhoods Programme and 2024 Climate Action Grant recipients

Kaituhi | Author: Rob Dunn, Sustainability Advisor Communities

Kaiwhakamana | Authoriser: Brendan Owens, Group Manager Customer and Community

Te pūtake | Purpose

1 In 2024, the Climate and Environment Committee approved:

a. Funding allocation for 2024 Climate Action Grant applicants

b. The re-launch of Councils’ Greener Neighbourhoods programme

2 The purpose of this report is to provide a progress update on these initiatives.

Taunakitanga | RECOMMENDATIONS

A. That the Climate and Environment Committee:

A.1 Notes the update on project progress for recipients of 2024 Climate Action Grant funding, and that final reporting is due later in 2025.

A.2 Notes that the Greener Neighbourhood programme is underway.

Tūāpapa | Background

Climate Action Grants

3 In July 2024, the Climate and Environment Committee approved Climate Action Grant funding across 12 different projects. Funding was distributed to successful applicants between September and December 2024. Interim reporting, comprised of an informal site visit and in-person catchup with applicants, is now well underway. Final project reporting, in the form of a written report, will be completed later this year.

4 The results of interim project reporting are summarised below.

Group	Project	Progress
Coastal Restoration Trust of NZ (Applied for: $13,000 Received: $13,000)	Producing a 10-minute video focused on restoration techniques for coastal ecosystems in the Kāpiti district. This will provide guidance for groups working on coastal restoration projects.	Project complete. Video accessible through this link: CRT KCDC video on Vimeo Video will be promoted to Kāpiti communities later in the year.
Energise Ōtaki (Applied for: $15,010 Received: $13,900)	Further developing their Ōtaki Bike Space operation, embracing the bike library model and building a comprehensive bike repair set-up	Project progressing well. New site approved at Ōtaki College, plans for infrastructure underway, details of shift to bike library model being finalised.
Paekākāriki Orchard and Gardens (Applied for $17,231 Received $10,100)	Expansion of community biochar project, including a trailer to mount biochar kiln, additional equipment, and expansion of community workshops.	Project catchup scheduled for late June
Ngā Hapu ō Otaki (Applied for $14,700 Received $13,900)	Engaging hapori and wider communities in a range of wananaga/ workshops and other initiatives aimed to develop understanding and resilience to climate change through indigenous knowledge/ mātauranga Māori. This project includes initiatives related to education, community building, improving food security, and more.	Project catchup scheduled for 25 June
Raumati Technology Centre (Applied for $20,000 Received $11,200)	Expansion of their environmental hub and teaching garden as part of their holistic sustainability curriculum	Project catchup scheduled for 26 June
Kaibosh (Applied for $20,000 Received $11,200)	Expanding their local food rescue program to work with local orchards.	Project progressing well, getting several tonnes of produce from small number of farms/ orchards on regular basis. Expanding distribution networks/ workshops etc to handle increased volume of produce. Project meeting intended outcomes.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito (Applied for $17,391 Received $11,200)	Ohu Taiao restoration project on 5 acres of land at Te Rito school in Otaki. Project involves land preparation, fencing, planting, and a wide range of education initiatives.	Project catchup scheduled for June 13
HUHA (Applied for: $7,953 Received: $7,953)	Developing a depot to assist people and animals in the case of a natural disaster/ emergency response.	Project progressing well; working with Councils’ emergency response team to determine best location for shipping container.
Nikau Valley Restoration Society (Applied for: $2,643 Received: $2,643)	Plant guards to protect seedlings planted in various restoration areas in the Nikau Valley.	Project complete: Plant guards installed.
Treespace Kāpiti (Applied for: $1,000 Received: $1,000)	Establishing a “Tiny Forest” project in Waikanae.	Project progressing well: Initial site work complete, planning for further site prep, planting and maintenance complete; with key dates over the next few months.
Paekākāriki School Potty Potters Garden Group (Applied for $600 Received $600)	Purchase of compost to support growing and planting of native seedlings, fruit trees, and vegetables across a variety of school and community initiatives.	Project complete: compost purchased and being used as intended
Kāpiti College (Applied for $15,948 Received $11,200)	Establishing a composting system at the school, along with a range of associated education/ gardening initiatives.	Project complete: Compost bins built and now integrated into school gardening system. Increasing number of students and staff using the compost system for both waste reduction and a variety of cross-curriculum education opportunities.

Greener Neighbourhoods Programme

5 The Greener Neighbourhoods programme encourages community connection, resilience and local sustainability action. After a 5-year hiatus, the programme was re-launched in April 2025. Five neighbourhood groups from Ōtaki to Paekākāriki have signed up.

6 Under the programme, groups select and collaborate over a sustainability project, with funding and support provided by Council. Examples of projects from previous groups include community bike libraries, pest control and nature restoration work, initiatives to improve household energy use, garden and composting projects, and initiatives to minimise waste in local communities.

7 Groups also have the opportunity to engage with a range of sustainability related workshops and learning opportunities during the programme, such as emergency preparedness, home energy efficiency, and climate education.

The following table shows the location and interests of participating groups in 2025:

Group	Project focus
Ōtaki	Interested in a range of gardening, energy and waste reduction ideas. Group currently exploring and refining options.
Pekapeka	Focus on pest control (rabbits and mustelids), may also extend to some planting work. GWRC assisting with initial rabbit control work, Council staff will assist with follow up advice on mustelid control and planting.
Waikanae Beach	Interested in a range of gardening, composting and community waste reduction ideas. Group currently exploring and refining options.
Maungakotukutuku	Interested in expanding pest control in the Maungakotukutuku Valley. A meeting with this group and relevant staff from Council, GWRC, and DoC has been setup for early July to discuss how key stakeholders might collaborate over trapping and restoration efforts in this area.
Paekākāriki	Interested in establishing a community tool library. Project in early stages of development.

He take | issues

8 There are no issues arising from this report

Ngā kōwhiringa | Options

9 There are no options to be considered within this report

ngā Mahi panuku | next steps

10 Council staff can provide a progress update/ final report on Climate Action Grant projects and the Greener Neighbourhoods programme later this year.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

1. Pdf of slides to accompany Greener Neighbourhoods and Climate Action Grant update report ⇩


RĀRANGI TAKE AGENDA Te Komiti Āhuarangi me te Taiao \| Climate and Environment Committee Meeting
I hereby give notice that a Meeting of the Te Komiti Āhuarangi me te Taiao \| Climate and Environment Committee will be held on:
Te Rā \| Date:	Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Te Wā \| Time:	9.30am
Te Wāhi \| Location:	Council Chamber Ground Floor, 175 Rimu Road Paraparaumu
Rach Wells Group Manager People and Capability

Cr Jocelyn Prvanov	Chair
Cr Sophie Handford	Deputy
Mayor Janet Holborow	Member
Cr Glen Cooper	Member
Cr Liz Koh	Member
Cr Shelly Warwick	Member
Mr Huriwai Paki	Member
Mr Christian Judge	Member
Mr Michael Moore	Member
Mr Glen Olsen	Member
Mr Tim Sutton	Member
Mr Simon Black	Member
Ms Kim Tahiwi	Member
Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Representative	Member