Grants for new forests
The growing of new forests in New Zealand has declined over the past 2 decades – from 55,000 hectares planted on average each year in the 1990s to just 3,000 hectares in 2014. MPI is concerned about this trend. To help reverse it, we are supporting the planting of new forests through the Afforestation Grant Scheme.
Goal
To have 15,000 hectares of new forest planted by 2020, to help:
- reduce soil erosion – forest cover is the best form of erosion control. MPI estimates that 1.1 million hectares of land is at serious risk of erosion
- improve land-use productivity and boost regional economic development
- store carbon and improve water quality.
To help get there, MPI is providing grants of $1,300 a hectare for growers to plant new small to medium-sized forests (5 hectares to 300 hectares). Up to $19.5 million is available until 2020.
Who can apply
- Any person or organisation that owns land in New Zealand or has a right to use New Zealand land for forestry.
- Any person or organisation that is about to acquire land in New Zealand or a right to use New Zealand land for forestry.
You must be able to commit between 5 hectares and 300 hectares of land to planting in new forest. You can apply to each funding round, as long as you're applying for new planting.
2017 funding round
The next round will open for applications on 13 March 2017 and close on 28 April 2017.
To sign up for updates about the scheme, email funding@mpi.govt.nz
The application and funding process
Before you start, read the guide for applicants, application form and sample application form. You will need to follow the guidance and instructions carefully to have the best chance of success.
- Guide to the Afforestation Grant Scheme
- Application form
- Sample application form
- Applicant checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
Where to go for help
New Zealand's regionalRegional councils and forestry consultants are familiar with the scheme and are experienced with helping applicants through the process. You may find it helpful to talk with them, particularly if you are considering making an application for the first time.
You can also ask us for help:
- email funding@mpi.govt.nz
- call 0800 00 83 33.
Sending in your application
For an application to be considered, it must include all required information and supporting documentation (see page 5 of the guide).
Email completed applications to funding@mpi.govt.nz
Or post to:
Afforestation Grant Scheme
Investment Programmes Team
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
Assessment
Once MPI receives your application, we will check that it is complete and meets the criteria. We will then undertake a detailed assessment of the eligibility and suitability of the land, and review the other information you have provided.
Even if your application meets all the criteria, your application may not be approved. For example, if MPI receives more applications than we can fund, priority will be given to those that will make a greater contribution to reducing soil erosion.
Contracting, planting and monitoring
Successful applicants will be offered a Grant Agreement, which is a contract between MPI and the applicant. It formalises the terms and conditions of the grant, and includes a map of the approved area. This may be different to the area that was applied for, if the application included land that was ineligible or unsuitable.
Planting must happen in the winter following the funding round – so if you apply in 2017, and your application is successful, you'll be planting in winter 2018.
Claiming your grant
Once your forest is established, you can claim your grant. We'll visit your forest to make sure it's established to the required standard. If the forest meets the establishment standard, we will pay you the grant for the area established.
If you sell or transfer your forest to someone else within 10 years, you must tell MPI and we will help you transfer your grant agreement to the new owner.
MPI will monitor your forest to make sure it's up to standard. After 10 years, you're free to do as you choose with your forest.
Eligible land
The land included in the grant can be across more than one title, as long as you own it or have the right to use it. Your application can include more than one block of land but each block must be bigger than 1 hectare.
The land must be new forest planting. It must not:
- be classed as 'forest land' under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 when you apply
- have been 'forest land' on 31 December 1989
- have been 'forest land' at any time in the 5 years before you apply.
Climate Change Response Act 2002 – NZ Legislation website
The type of forest you can grow
You must plant the forest to qualify for a grant – you can't seed it or let it regenerate naturally. You can use the Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) for environmental or commercial reasons, or both. You have to maintain the forest to a set standard to be eligible for the grant. If you cut down the forest or don't look after it, you may have to replant or, as a last resort, pay the grant back.
You can plant native or exotic trees. The trees can also be a mix of forest species. A forest species is one able to grow to at least 5 metres in the place you've planted it. It isn't a species used primarily for fruit or nut crops.
If your forest is funded by an AGS grant, you still own the trees and the timber. However, the Crown will get the carbon credits for the first 10 years.
Building on previous success
From 2008 to 2013, just under 12,000 hectares of new forest was planted under a previous AGS scheme. Much of the planting was on erosion-prone land. The plantings improved water quality and reduced the impact of severe flooding.
This good progress continued when the scheme was relaunched in 2015. Grant agreements for about 3,000 hectares were contracted, putting us on track towards the 5-year goal of 15,000 hectares.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the scheme, email funding@mpi.govt.nz.