South Waikato Environmental Initiatives
The South Waikato Environmental Initiatives (SWEI) committee is a unique group which distributes money each year to landowners in the South Waikato District who would like to undertake:
- Native plantings around waterways
- Native plantings in and around wetland areas
How do I apply?
- Application considerations for the next round of funding will commence in January 2024 with a closing date set for Monday, 26 February 2024.
- Click here to fill out an application form
Fund Details
The SWEI Committee was set up to administer and distribute funds that are paid from Oji Fibre Solutions - Kinleith Mill, as a condition of their wastewater discharge consent into the Waituna and Kopakorahi Streams that flow into Lake Maraetai.
We are an independent group of mostly local farmers, administering funds from Oji Fibre Solutions, the major contributor, the Ministry for Primary Industries and in 2022 we welcome Fonterra as a contributor. The South Waikato District Council kindly assists with the administration.
To ensure transparency in distributing the funds, the SWEI Committee undertakes site visits to check that the work has been completed to the necessary standard. Following this the applicants are reimbursed to the amount approved by the Committee.
Part of the funding agreement is for the applicant to uplift the funding before 1 February the following year otherwise the funding is forfeited.
