Green Shoots Fund – helping you build a greener future

The Green Shoots Fund supports eligible building owners, developers, organisations and groups to achieve recognised green certification for new builds and building redevelopment projects in Palmerston North.

Funding can help with costs such as:

• registering your project for a recognised green building certification
• design, construction or performance assessments needed to achieve certification
• professional services to assist meeting any staged design, construction or performance assessment. 

The fund focuses on certification and assessment costs. It is not intended to cover general construction costs such as building materials or labour.

Any person, company or group undertaking a new building or building redevelopment project within the Palmerston North city boundary.

This could include:

• residential building owners or developers
• commercial land developers
• building owners
• not-for-profit organisations
• Rangitāne iwi
• city institutions 

The fund is available for new builds and redevelopment projects where recognised green certification is possible.

Eligible project types include:

• Residential, up to $10,000 - standalone homes, minor dwellings, medium-density housing and apartments
• Mixed-use, up to $25,000 – buildings with both commercial and residential uses
• Commercial, up to $25,000 – offices, retail and service buildings
• Industrial, up to $25,000 – warehouses, workshops, logistics and manufacturing buildings
• Institutional, up to $25,000 – education, research and healthcare facilities
• Community-owned buildings, up to $25,000 – clubrooms, meeting rooms, workshops and similar community facilities.

To be considered, your project must:

• be located within the Palmerston North city boundary
• demonstrate it is registering to undertake a recognised green certification
• be privately owned (not owned or occupied by the Crown)
• obtain all required Council consents and approvals
• use certified professionals who are accredited or licensed by the relevant certification body, or its accredited New Zealand representative
• show that the certification stage or rating being funded is realistic and achievable
• show your own financial contribution and your ability to manage, resource and deliver each stage of the project.

Applications are also considered against the amount of funding available and the need to distribute the fund fairly.

Funding is usually paid after the approved certification work has been completed and the costs have been confirmed. A staged funding programme may be agreed for some projects.

The fund can support projects working toward recognised green building certifications such as:

• Green Star
• Homestar
• Passive House
• NABERSNZ
• BREEAM
• LEED
• Net Zero Buildings
• Toitū carbon certifications
• Living Building Challenge.

Talk to us early if you’re not sure whether your preferred certification is eligible.

Applications are invited annually. Funding is available each financial year until June 2029, subject to Council’s Annual Budget processes.

If your application is successful, all approved work must be completed within one year and invoiced to Council by 30 June in the year after completion. Certification must also be achieved within 24 months of practical completion.

Please talk to us before you start the work you want funding for.

Retrospective applications will not be considered unless communication has taken place before the works commence. Council hold full discretion to accept or decline retrospective applications, and Council holds full discretion to approve grants above the stated maximums for large or complex projects, or where the fund is not fully allocated.

We’re happy to talk with you about your project, your green building goals and the certification pathway you’re considering. We can meet at your home, workplace, online or at Council.

To get started, fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch, or email us directly at greenshoots@pncc.govt.nz

Click here to view form.