$6.4 million to boost Environment Hub efforts across Aotearoa

 Environmental programmes across the country will receive a welcome boost thanks to a $6.4 million grant from the Ministry for the Environment.The funding, which will be administered and distributed by Environment Hubs Aotearoa (EHA) over the next four years, will allow Environment Hubs to expand the environmental programmes they run within communities.These programmes include kai rescue, wetland restoration, planting, conservation, composting, waste minimisation, curtain banks, urban farming, and predator control.Secretary for the Environment Vicky Robertson said “The funding will allow Environment Hubs to expand their impact, grow existing relationships and share their knowledge wider to support their communities to flourish.”“These hubs build thriving and sustainable communities, where like-minded people can come together to learn how to be kinder to the environment. We are thrilled to support this kaupapa."EHA’s Executive Officer, Georgina Morrison, said the funding represented an acknowledgement of the important, future-focused mahi that hubs are doing in and alongside their communities, and is a real opportunity to increase the reach of Environment Hubs to the wider public.The Ministry for the Environment has been supporting environment hubs across the country with funding since 2000. The funding boost represents an increase in support from $300,000 per annum to $1.2 million, meaning that the number of hubs receiving funding can increase from 9 to 16.Environment Hubs Aotearoa is a national organisation whose members are independent local community hubs that provide practical support for people to look after themselves, their neighbours and their environment. EHA works to empower more New Zealanders to create a thriving and sustainable Aotearoa.