Community Climate Fund Grants Decided

Eight groups have been allocated funding from the inaugural Masterton District Council Community Climate Fund.

Applications were assessed by the Climate Advisory Group set up following the adoption of the Council’s Climate Action Plan last year.

Advisory Group member Cr Marama Tuuta said it was important a range of groups and activities were supported through the fund.

“One of the main aims is to try to involve as many people in the community as possible, coming from varying age groups – it is our children who will inherit the environment, so they need to be represented,” she said.

Cr Tuuta said it was important to support as many projects as possible.

“One group alone can’t stop climate change. We need a lot of people involved to help us adapt.”

All applications were assessed against alignment with the Plan’s action areas, themes, and goals, and the advantage they would bring to the Masterton District and its community.

The following grants were allocated:

• Divine River Trust has been allocated a grant of $7,750 towards the delivery of workshops focused on sustainable personal care products in the Masterton District.
• House of Science Wairarapa has been allocated a grant of $3,000 for ‘A Load of Rubbish He Putunga Para’ science kit and consumables for this kit for one year to be used in schools throughout the Masterton District.
• Oxford St Community Garden has been allocated a grant of $7,750 towards the employment of a coordinator for 4 hours per week for the 2023/24 financial year to enable them to increase the size of their gardens and their impact.
• Sustainable Wairarapa has been allocated a grant of $7,750 towards setting up a working group to engage local stakeholders, develop resources and train local ambassadors for the Take the Jump initiative in the Masterton District.
• Te Āwhina Community Hub has been allocated a grant of $5,000 towards an electric bike or cargo bike to be stationed at the Community Hub.
• Te Kura o Papatūānuku Wairarapa Earth School has been allocated a grant of $7,750 towards the Healthy Kai programme in the Masterton District.
• The Shady Mellow has been allocated a grant of $7,750 towards a part-time Youth Climate and Sustainability Leader to support sustainability projects at Shady Mellow and in the Masterton community.
• Wairarapa Community Centre has been allocated a grant of $3,250 towards bug hotel workshops with the community and establishing bug hotels in relevant Masterton District parks and reserves.