Otago Regional Councillor Chanel Gardner says the 2026 ECO Fund has a total of $919,800 available to support projects that protect, restore and enhance Otago’s natural spaces.

“Whether you are continuing an existing project or developing a new idea that could make a real difference for your local environment, I encourage everyone to be ready to apply.”

The 2026 ECO Fund will be open for applications from 16 March to 11.59pm on 19 April 2026.

Updated funding categories for 2026

Two ECO Fund categories have been updated:

• Hill country erosion management, replacing Critical Source Area Management on private land, focuses on reducing sediment and soil loss through erosion control measures. This includes stock-exclusion fencing and tree planting for erosion control.
  Total funding available: up to $51,100
• Scaling up for biodiversity, replacing Large-scale Biodiversity Projects, supports projects that protect and enhance native biodiversity at a larger scale. It also aims to help community groups build delivery experience and transition towards the Large-Scale Environmental (LSE) Fund or other long-term funding sources.
  Total funding available: up to $306,600

Continuing ECO Fund categories

These popular funds remain unchanged:

• General — total funding up to $306,600
• Sustained rabbit management incentives — up to $102,200
• Biodiversity enhancement on protected private land — up to $102,200
• Weed removal and revegetation — up to $51,100

There are also some new application requirements this year, so it's worth checking the details before you apply.

Find everything you need to know — including a recording of our 2026 ECO Fund webinar — at orc.govt.nz/ecofund or get in touch with us to talk through your idea at ecofund@orc.govt.nz.

Background on the ECO Fund process

Established in July 2018, ORC's ECO Fund supports work that protects, enhances and promotes Otago's environment to enable iwi, communities' and private landowners' environmental activities. An annual review process occurs, to set up the funding categories for each year which align with Council's strategic directions.

Since 2018, the ECO fund has supported 194 projects from 420 applications, distributing just over $3.64 million (out of $10.45 million requested) across 11 application rounds. Each round has averaged 38 applications and has been oversubscribed by an average of 300%.