14th May 2020 By Shannon Williams | shannon@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker
The Government has announced a $1.1bn investment to create 11,000 environment jobs in the regions and redeploy those who may have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The Department of Conservation would receive $200m for its Jobs for Nature Fund, aimed to create jobs, boost predator control efforts, restore wetlands, and regenerate planting. The fund also helped improve tracks, huts and other recreational and visitor assets on public conservation land.
Eugenie Sage
Conservation minister Eugenie Sage said DOC would work with councils, iwi and local businesses such as tourism operators to provide nature-based jobs.
“As well as getting people back to work, this initiative will support household incomes, and promote mental health and wellbeing for the people involved,” Sage said.
“The funding will enable iwi, businesses, and councils working with government agencies like DOC to employ thousands of people across New Zealand to better look after our natural landscapes, native bush, birds, waterways and coast.”
The Budget would also see $433m injected into regional environmental projects that would create 4000 jobs over five years.
Environment minister David Parker said the programme would deliver huge benefits to local businesses, accelerate regional economic recovery and advance national and regional environmental priorities.
“This initiative has been designed specifically in response to the impact of Covid-19,” Parker said.
“This package allows businesses considering redundancies and downscaling to redeploy their staff on environmentally focused activities in their home region. When those businesses are able to rehire again, workers can return to their previous roles.”
Biosecurity would receive $315m, including $148m for DOC to ramp up pest control and eradication, while $154m had been prioritised for new jobs designed to enhance biodiversity on public and private land.
“This investment in nature will not only support thousands of people with jobs but pay dividends for generations to come by giving nature a helping hand,” Sage said.
The Government was also investing $41.4m across three years into initiatives in the construction, digital and agritech sectors.
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