New Zealand's coastline is one of the world's longest, with extraordinary marine biodiversity and deep cultural connections to the ocean for Māori and Pacific communities. Coastal and marine grants fund conservation, restoration, fisheries management, marine research, and sustainable ocean use. This guide covers the key funding sources.
DOC funds coastal and marine conservation:
- Marine reserves: Designation and management support
- Coastal habitat restoration: Dune restoration, coastal planting
- Seabird conservation: Shearwater, penguin, and petrel conservation
- Marine mammal: Dolphin, whale, and seal conservation
- Community conservation: Volunteer coastal restoration
MfE funds coastal environmental management:
- Freshwater to coast: Integrated catchment and coastal management
- Climate adaptation: Sea level rise and coastal resilience
- Blue carbon: Coastal wetland and mangrove carbon sequestration
MPI funds sustainable fisheries and marine management:
- Fisheries management: Sustainable harvest and quota management
- Aquaculture: Marine farming development
- Kaimoana restoration: Customary fisheries enhancement
- Marine biosecurity: Invasive species prevention
Māori ocean stewardship:
- Te Puni Kōkiri: Kaitiakitanga and ocean stewardship
- Maori Land Court / Te Ture Whenua: Foreshore and marine connections
- Iwi environmental funds: Tribal marine restoration
- Mataitai reserves: Customary fishing area management
Kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the sea — is central to Māori coastal management.
SLSNZ funds coastal safety:
- Patrol equipment for beach safety
- Junior surf (Nippers) development
- Water safety and drowning prevention
- Surf lifesaving club development
Community coastal restoration:
- DOC community fund: Coastal planting and pest control
- Gaming trusts: Community conservation and planting
- Lottery Environment and Heritage: Ecological restoration projects
- EcoFund: Community biodiversity including coastal
Coastal restoration types:
- Sand dune stabilisation and planting
- Coastal wetland restoration (saltmarsh, mangrove)
- Invasive plant removal
- Seabird nesting habitat restoration
- Riparian planting to mouths of coastal streams
Coastal and marine research:
- MBIE Endeavour Fund: Marine science research
- Sea Change: Integrated marine spatial planning
- University marine research grants: Academic marine science
- Fisheries research: MPI-commissioned marine research
Sustainable marine enterprise:
- MBIE: Ocean economy development
- New Zealand Trade and Enterprise: Sustainable aquaculture and marine enterprise
- Aquaculture NZ: Industry development and research
Community-led coastal action:
- Project Jonah: Whale and dolphin stranding response
- Orca Research Trust: Marine mammal conservation
- LegaSea: Recreational fisheries and marine advocacy
- Sustainable Coastlines: Coastal clean-up and restoration
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Conservation outcomes: Species, habitat, or water quality targets
- Community involvement: Volunteer engagement and local ownership
- Māori partnership: Iwi kaitiakitanga and co-management
- Research basis: Evidence for conservation approach
- Measurable impact: Area restored, species counted, water quality data
- Sustainability: Long-term management plan beyond grant period
- Coastal resilience: Climate adaptation outcomes
- Blue economy: Sustainable livelihoods connecting to ocean health
Tahua's grants management platform helps coastal and marine organisations manage grant applications across DOC, MfE, MPI, iwi funders, gaming trusts, and Lottery, tracking conservation, restoration, and community marine outcomes.