Manaaki Taiao grant

Manaaki Taiao focuses on biodiversity regeneration. We support partnerships that restore the health and resilience of New Zealand’s marine, coastal, and terrestrial environments.

We back long-term initiatives that protect and regenerate ecosystems, strengthen environmental stewardship, and create lasting benefits for nature and communities.

Why biodiversity regeneration matters

New Zealand’s unique biodiversity is part of who we are. From harvesting kaimoana to share with family and friends, to spending time at the beach and in the bush. Biodiversity supports our wellbeing, economy, and way of life, yet our natural ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change, invasive species, and land-use change.

Protecting and restoring nature is essential to the long-term health and resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand. Healthy ecosystems support thriving communities, strengthen climate resilience, and create lasting benefits for future generations.

We fund initiatives that focus on

Marine ecosystem restoration

Partnerships that restore and protect New Zealand’s marine and coastal environments, helping to regenerate biodiversity and improve ecosystem health.

We support initiatives that strengthen ecosystems and the communities connected to them. This includes projects that advance mana whenua partnership, stewardship, and long-term environmental outcomes. We prioritise opportunities that can create catalytic impact beyond our initial investment.

Ecosystem management

Projects such as habitat restoration, wildlife recovery and rehabilitation, biodiversity monitoring, or the eradication of invasive species, applicable to both terrestrial and marine environments.

Nature markets

Projects that help to shape the future of nature-based markets in Aotearoa, to support the restoration and protection of Aotearoa’s natural environment. These can help to create new ways for businesses and communities to invest in native species restoration, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

We support the supply of quality projects, such as native forest regeneration and coastal blue carbon projects. We also support the development of the systems that underpin a thriving nature market, positioning Aotearoa to attract investment, drive climate resilience, and unlock new opportunities.

We don’t fund

  • Activities that don’t align with the BNZ Foundation’s focus areas.
  • Programmes already supported through BNZ sponsorship.
  • Non-charitable or commercial ventures (except for eligible social enterprises).
  • Individual applications or personal expenses. 
  • Schools, early childhood services, medical or health research, or infrastructure typically funded by government.
  • Activities that promote political objectives or religious purposes (unless undertaken in support of a broader charitable purpose).
  • Retrospective requests, debt repayment, fundraising appeals, or projects that create private benefit.

What makes a great partner

  • Recognises and honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, working in partnership with mana whenua, and supporting Māori aspirations for te taiao.
  • Works alongside communities, landowners, and other organisations to achieve shared outcomes.
  • Supports the aspirations, leadership, and stewardship of mana whenua. Responding to the strengths and opportunities of local ecosystems and communities.
  • Has the potential to unlock additional investment, partnerships, capability, or environmental action.
  • Delivers measurable environmental outcomes, strengthens long-term ecosystem health and resilience, and contributes to community wellbeing.
  • Generates insights, models, or approaches that can be adapted, scaled, or replicated to increase impact.

Funding from BNZ Foundation can be used for programme funding (for example, to pilot new initiatives, or scale an existing programme), or can be used to cover operational expenses (for example, we will fund what it takes for you to do your mahi, or work), or a mix of both.

If successful, you’ll be asked to sign a grant agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the grant. We will ask you to make a commitment that the funds we will give are used for these purposes only.

If you are a social enterprise, we will need to see evidence that you are purpose-driven with social or environmental impact at the core of your business (for example, in your organisation’s governing document such as a deed, constitution, or charter), and have been in operation for at least a year. You are welcome to contact us to discuss these requirements before submitting an expression of interest.

You do not need to be a BNZ customer to be eligible for a grant from BNZ Foundation.

The decision on funding is solely at the discretion of BNZ Foundation trustees and these decisions will be final.

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