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RFAs: Lottery Environment and Heritage Grant Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 18-Mar-2026

The Lottery Environment and Heritage Grants support plans, reports, and one-off projects that conserve and promote New Zealand’s natural, cultural, and physical heritage. Funding prioritizes projects benefiting Māori, Pacific peoples, other ethnic communities, youth, women, older adults, and people with disabilities. Grants are available for small projects under $250,000 and large projects of $250,000 or more, with partnership funding typically required.

Overview of the Fund

The Lottery Environment and Heritage provides financial support to organisations and groups undertaking projects that protect, conserve, and promote New Zealand’s heritage. The fund focuses on natural, cultural, and physical heritage and prioritises inclusive initiatives that remove barriers to participation for underrepresented communities.

Focus Areas

  • Natural Heritage: Protecting native plants and wildlife, including pest and predator control, ecological restoration, and conservation planning

  • Physical Heritage: Restoration, protection, and conservation of significant places, structures, and large built objects

  • Cultural Heritage: Conservation, protection, and promotion of collections and stories important to New Zealand’s cultural identity

Eligible Projects

  • Plans and Reports: Feasibility studies, conservation plans, condition reports, maintenance plans, structural engineering reports, fire reports, and specialist guidance for heritage restoration

  • One-Off Projects: Discrete conservation or restoration initiatives

  • Project Size:

    • Small Projects: Under $250,000, including feasibility studies, plans, and small-scale conservation works

    • Large Projects: $250,000 or more, including discrete stages of ongoing projects or standalone initiatives

Eligibility and Priorities

  • Organisations supporting Māori, Pacific peoples, ethnic communities, older adults, women, youth, people with disabilities, or those facing barriers to participation

  • Projects must demonstrate conservation and protection of heritage following best practice standards

  • Partnership funding of at least one-third of total costs is expected prior to application, except:

    • Natural heritage projects under $150,000 without capital works

    • Feasibility studies, conservation plans, or specialist reports guiding heritage restoration

Ineligible Projects

  • Projects listed as ineligible by the Lottery Grants Board

  • Individual applicants

  • Projects conserving or protecting privately or commercially owned land or structures

  • Planning or creation of historic gardens

How to Apply

  1. Identify a project that conserves natural, cultural, or physical heritage and aligns with fund priorities

  2. Ensure inclusion of underrepresented groups where applicable

  3. Secure partnership funding where required

  4. Prepare detailed plans, reports, or project proposals following Lottery Environment and Heritage guidelines

  5. Submit application according to Lottery Grants Board instructions

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Not securing sufficient partnership funding prior to submission

  • Applying for projects ineligible under Lottery Grants Board rules

  • Submitting incomplete plans or missing documentation for feasibility or restoration studies

  • Overlooking inclusion of priority communities in project design

  • Confusing small and large project eligibility criteria

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Who can apply? Organisations conducting heritage conservation or promotion projects aligned with fund priorities; individuals are not eligible.

  2. What types of projects are funded? Plans, reports, and one-off projects focused on natural, cultural, or physical heritage.

  3. Are partnership funds required? Typically yes, at least one-third of total project costs, with some exceptions for small-scale or non-capital projects.

  4. What is the difference between small and large projects? Small projects are under $250,000; large projects are $250,000 or more.

  5. Can privately owned land or structures be funded? No, only publicly accessible or community-focused projects are eligible.

  6. Are feasibility studies supported? Yes, as part of small projects or specialist reports guiding restoration initiatives.

  7. How does the fund prioritize projects? Priority is given to projects that conserve heritage and engage underrepresented communities while demonstrating best practice standards.

Conclusion

The Lottery Environment and Heritage Grants provide essential support for conserving New Zealand’s natural, cultural, and physical heritage. By funding well-planned, inclusive, and sustainable projects, the program strengthens the protection of heritage sites, promotes community participation, and ensures the preservation of valuable ecological, cultural, and historical resources for future generations.

For more information, visit New Zealand Government.