The Government has announced a $162 million plan to clean up the country's waterways, creating 2000 jobs in the process.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday said the funding would come from the $1.1 billion Jobs for Nature package in the 2020 Budget.
"We are stepping up the pace of getting New Zealanders into work in the wake of COVID-19. These 23 projects will deliver over 2000 jobs across the country that also help to deliver the Government's goal of cleaning up our waterways."
She said most of the jobs would not require people to undergo extensive training, so are "good to go".
"These projects will help restore wetlands, rivers and streams, regenerate native bush and control pests and weeds while creating much needed jobs in the regions... People visit New Zealand and buy our produce because of our clean green image; it's how we market ourselves to the world so we need to protect it."
The projects will be based across the country - full list below.
- Whangārei urban awa project
- Kaipara Moana remediation programme
- Mahurangi East land restoration
- Mahurangi River restoration
- Lake Kimihia restoration project
- Opuatia Wetland restoration
- Piako River Green Corridor
- Upper Waioumu enhancement
- Bay Conservation Cadets in the Bay of Plenty
- Tairawhiti Agroecology Recovery Project
- Manawatū-Whanganui riparian management
- Fish passage remediation - Horizons Regional Council
- Transforming Taranaki riparian management
- Lake Horowhenua wetlands
- Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project
- Greater Wellington riparian management
- Waimea Inlet enhancement project
- Waimea Inlet Billion Trees Project - Phase 2
- Maitai River riparian management
- Catchment Care Programme in Marlborough
- Karamea riparian restoration
- 'Action on the ground' projects in Southland
- Southland regional fish passage restoration.
