How to apply to EIF 2010

Special conditions (compulsory)

Native plants

• All plants used in EIF funded projects must be pure native species. EIF does not fund garden cultivars or hybrids. To help you identify pure native plants at a nursery, look at the label. Pure native plants always have a two -part Latin name e.g. Phormium tenax (New Zealand flax). Cultivated native plant varieties may have Latin species names attached to English names like “Phormium golden sunrise”.
• All plants must be eco-sourced, click here for more information.
• All plants must be appropriate for the soil, aspect, exposure and topography of the site.
• A plant list is required to be submitted with your application.

Regeneration projects

EIF will support the purchase of native plants only in the appropriate size (PB2-PB5) and less than $6 per plant. In some circumstances plants of root trainer size may be acceptable.

EIF supports projects that seek to restore natural environments using current best practice methods. This usually involves planting that initiate natural processes and allow nature to do the rest. As such, the fund can only be used for species that are necessary for the project’s success, not additional species that may be requested for beautification or landscaping purposes.

Many types of native plants such as ferns, ground covers and large canopy trees (eg kauri, taraire) will establish naturally once the newly restored environment can support them. Adding these to a restoration too early may result in failure of the project. For further advice please contact the ARC Natural Heritage team on 09 366 2000.

Schools can apply for native plants up to the value of $20 per plant.

Riparian projects

In addition to the above, if the site is riparian (permanent or ephemeral stream, lake, wetland, grassland channels or other water body) further guidelines are as follows.

Planting should start at the immediate stream edge and continue to an acceptable distance back from the stream edge to produce an effective riparian margin. The ARC recommends a riparian planting strip width of at least 5m-10m for an ephemeral stream or minor springs and drains. For permanent streams and rivers a minimum of 10m from the top of the bank of the stream or river is recommended. If you are able to plant more than 10m, this is preferred. For larger streams and rivers more than a 10m width is recommended. Riparian planting must have stock proof fencing erected at the perimeter of the planting (on both sides of the stream if possible).

Fencing projects

Fencing projects must use a substantial wire fence of 7 or 8 wires properly strained unless an alternative is better suited to the local conditions or land management circumstances. Visit the helpful tips section for more information.

Built Heritage projects

Projects involving repairs or restoration of buildings or structures should include the following information in the application:

• Clear description of the proposed building work and why it is needed.
• Details of materials and repair methods to be used.
• Any relevant drawings, specifications or technical reports.
• Name of the builder or other contractor who will carry out the work and brief details of whether they have previously undertaken built heritage work.
• Name of conservation architect or other appropriate heritage specialist who has prepared the specifications and/or who will be supervising the building work.
• Description of why the heritage building or structure is significant.

Please attach separate documents to your application to address these issues if there is not enough space in the application form.

Priority will be given to built heritage repair and restoration projects that:

• have a conservation plan, condition assessment or other appropriate technical report, and/or
• use a conservation architect or other appropriate expert to prepare specifications for the project and to supervise the building work, and
• follow best built heritage conservation practice, e.g. aim to retain as much heritage fabric as possible.

Applications for financial contributions towards building or other work that requires a building consent, resource consent or other statutory consent or permit will not be accepted unless the required consents have been issued at the time of application and evidence to this effect has been submitted with the application.