Habitat Protection Fund

WWF runs two application rounds per year. The closing dates are 1 May and 1 October. Preliminary applications can be made at any time prior to a closing date for each round. Applications will be assessed after the funding round has closed.

Who can apply?

The WWF Habitat Protection Fund is targeted at local community conservation groups based and working in New Zealand engaged in hands-on ecological restoration or conservation. We do not fund national or regional umbrella groups.

What kind of projects are funded?

The WWF Habitat Protection Fund gives preference to projects that are working to protect areas of high conservation value. The priorities this year are:  

  • Areas with an active community involvement in conservation
  • Freshwater environments and their catchments
  • Coastal and dune systems
  • Wetlands and estuaries
  • Lowland and coastal forest communities
  • Habitats of threatened indigenous species

What are the Criteria?

WWF-New Zealand has made some changes to the Habitat Protection Fund, and there are some new criteria. Read more about this in the Guide to Funding (see below).

Applications will be judged on the extent to which they meet the group criteria as well as the project criteria and if costs and activities are fully eligible.

Two steps to applying:

Please read the detailed criteria and guidance by checking the guidelines and criteria for the two funds.

1. Read the HPF Application Guide to decide if your group and project are eligible. Before completing the preliminary application form you should check carefully whether your project meets the new criteria. If you decide to apply, complete the Preliminary Application Form (see below). Applications must be made in this form and sent to:

WWF-New Zealand
Marc Slade
PO Box 6237
Wellington 6141

2. If we assess that your group and project are eligible we will invite you to apply giving more details of your project and will send you a Full Application form requesting more information. Applications are evaluated by WWF’s Habitat Protection Fund Panel. The Panel is appointed by WWF's Board of Trustees.

For more details or to discuss if you meet the criteria contact Marc Slade, Terrestrial Conservation Programme Manager at WWF-New Zealand on 04 815 8521 or 0800 4357 993 or E-Mail

/ ©: Pia Pahuto-tui warmenhoven
Aunties - HPF
© Pia Pahuto-tui warmenhoven
He Oranga mo nga Uri Tuku Iho Trust, an HPF group. Planting day. / ©: Pia Pahuto - Tui Warmenhoven
Planting trees at a HPF project
© Pia Pahuto - Tui Warmenhoven

What is the WWF Habitat Protection Fund

The WWF Habitat Protection Fund supports communities to run projects that conserve and restore New Zealand's natural environment - freshwater, coastal, wetlands, forest and dunelands. The WWF Habitat Protection Fund is supported by the Tindall Foundation http://www.tindall.org.nz/

Fund currently closed

WWF’s Habitat Protection Fund is currently closed for applications and a funding round will not reopen until August 2012. This is because WWF is launching a targeted round of funding to support the Bay of Plenty through the WWF Bay of Plenty Restoration Fund.

Building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.