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About the Erosion Control Funding Programme (ECFP)

The ECFP (previously called the East Coast Forestry Project) was established in 1992 to address the severe erosion problems in the Gisborne district. More than a quarter of Gisborne district’s land is susceptible to severe erosion (26% to be exact), compared with only 8% of the rest of New Zealand.

Severe erosion includes large-scale gully erosion, earthflow erosion and deep-seated slumps, and causes long-term damage to the productivity of rural land. It:

  • threatens communities and rural businesses, including farms and orchards, roads and bridges.
  • lowers water quality by contributing large amounts of sediment to river systems.
  • harms the natural and cultural values of the land and the coastal environment.

All this has a negative economic impact on the district’s hill country farms, infrastructure, and high-quality land on floodplains.

The Gisborne district is susceptible to regular high-intensity weather events that cause soil erosion and downstream flooding. With climate change, these weather events may be more extreme and potentially more frequent.

Funding for ECFP community projects

While other ECFP funds are closed, there’s still funding available for ECFP community projects. These help community groups, iwi, local organisations, and businesses who have innovative ideas to help reduce erosion in the Gisborne region. Projects may involve a community, or be on a regional scale. They may also have other environmental, social and economic benefits for the region.

ECFP community projects can address things like:

  • understanding erosion in the Gisborne region
  • supply of seedlings and materials
  • skills and labour
  • governance for erodible land blocks
  • optimal land use for erodible land
  • trials of new or alternative erosion treatments
  • riparian and other river treatments for erosion control outcomes
  • post-harvest options on erodible land.

Apply for ECFP community project grants

Applications for community projects are accepted year-round. To apply for an ECFP community project grant, fill out the application form.

If you’re not sure whether your project is eligible for community funding, or would like more information, contact us:

ECFP land treatment grants discontinued

The final funding round for ECFP land treatments was held in 2018. There are currently no further funding rounds. 

Who to contact

If you’re not sure whether you’re due for a payment or how to make a claim, contact us:

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