Now in its third year, the fund aims to build community resilience to the effects of climate change by focusing on community-led initiatives and building local capacity to lead change.

Since its inception, the fund has supported 45 projects across its five focus areas: Kai Resilience, Water Resilience, Nature-based Resilience, Energy Resilience, and Planning for Resilience. These projects include 22 in the Far North, 10 in Whangārei District, five in Kaipara, and eight region-wide initiatives.

Northland Regional Council Chair Pita Tipene says the fund is helping Taitokerau communities be better prepared for a resilient future.

“Our communities need to be well prepared for how severe weather events can impact them. We’re already seeing how these events can threaten people’s lives, damage homes and infrastructure, leave communities cut off, and compromise access to food, water, and energy supplies.

“The people who live in a community know best what their local area needs to improve its resilience. Through this fund, we’re supporting communities to lead the change they need by contributing resources for them to plan ahead and turn their plans into action.”

Chair Tipene says the fund is part of the regional council’s commitment to take a leading role in helping Taitokerau to become more resilient, with the council investing a total of $1.2 million into community-led action in its previous two rounds.

Successful projects have included a Ngāwhā-based food security initiative that engages whānau in traditional Māori potato growing and aims to develop a peruperu industry for Taitokerau; StormZone, an exhibition and on-road tour looking at extreme weather in Mangawhai; and a dune restoration and weed control project in Bream Bay.  

The fund prioritises communities vulnerable to climate impacts and is for initiatives that deliver significant outcomes that benefit the wider community.

“We’re looking for applications that raise awareness, encourage participation in climate resilience action, build capacity, strengthen local connections, and drive transformational change for a more resilient and sustainable future,” Chair Tipene says.

Applicants can apply for grants of between $5000 and $40,000 plus GST. 

Applications must be for a project implemented in Taitokerau and be from a legal community entity.

Applications open on Monday 02 March and close on Monday 27 April 2026.