$10m to accelerate predator free in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

What's at stake

Who feels it

Conservation teams, Iwi, Auckland Council, NEXT Foundation, conservation organisations, DoC staff, urban and mainland Auckland communities, domestic and international visitors to conservation sites.

Money in play

$10 million over five years, funded through the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Earlier investment: $5.5 million to Predator Free Wellington (recent).

Timing

05 June 2026 (announcement). Delivery: over five years from announcement (estimated completion 05 June 2031). No specific enactment or Royal Assent date mentioned.

How it works

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) funding allocation. Part of The Auckland Deal (City and Regional Deal framework).

Key context

Audit: check DoC and Auckland Council partnership agreements for funding drawdown schedules and milestone reportingBrief: urban mainland predator elimination project is first of its kind in NZ's largest city — monitor design and method for applicability to other urban centresWatch: Cabinet or DoC reporting on Predator Free 2050 progress against the 2050 goal; track NEXT Foundation co-investment appetiteTrack: IVL funding allocation rules — understand whether this sets precedent for tourism levy spend on conservation beyond visitor-facing sitesMonitor: new tools development roadmap across the region; flag any intellectual property or tool-sharing agreements with other regions

Wider effects

Predator Free 2050 (national environmental strategy); tourism and visitor economy policy (IVL mechanism); regional economic development (Auckland Deal framework); Iwi partnerships and co-governance in conservation delivery.