The DOC Community Fund opens for applications on 31 March, with $9.2 m available for community-led projects protecting our most threatened species and ecosystems.
New Zealand has the highest proportion of threatened indigenous species in the world, with more than 1,000 native species currently classified as 'threatened' by extinction, and almost two-thirds of our rare ecosystems at risk of collapse.
This new round of the DOC Community Fund will support local conservation activities to deliver tangible outcomes for biodiversity, promote collaboration, and enable meaningful Māori engagement.
Sia Aston, DOC Deputy Director-General Public Affairs and Partnerships, says the contributions of community groups enables greater outcomes for nature.
"Community groups play a pivotal role in protecting our native species and their habitats, and we know they bring a lot to table," says Sia. "By drawing on the strengths and resources of these groups - like volunteer hours, expertise, or co funding - DOC can amplify the positive change they create.
"This reflects DOC's goal for New Zealanders to 'Always Be Naturing'; we can all make a bigger difference through shared effort, with every action adding up to support the nature we all rely on.
"Together we can achieve the best outcomes possible for our very special biodiversity, so I'm really excited to see what this round of applicants will bring to support critical conservation work around New Zealand."
Community groups, iwi and hapū, as well as private landowners throughout the country can apply for the funding.
The 2026 funding round will open on 31 March and close on 30 April 2026, giving applicants more time to plan and engage with relevant parties. Details on how to apply are available on the DOC website. Successful applications will be announced from July 2026.
Background information
The DOC Community Fund (DOCCF) is a Crown fund established in 2014 that provides contestable funding for community-led biodiversity restoration projects on public and private land.
The DOCCF has an annual appropriation of $4.6 million (the 2026 round is doubled as it includes the 2026/27 appropriation).
Since 2014, the fund has awarded approximately $50 million to over 750 community conservation initiatives across New Zealand.
This round focuses on projects protecting threatened species (defined as Nationally Critical, Nationally Endangered, Nationally Vulnerable or Nationally increasing) and threatened ecosystems (defined as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable).
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn't scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It's behind our identity and our way of life.
