This page provides information on how to apply to the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund. It includes links to the guide, application form, and reporting templates for applicants.
For information about the fund and who is eligible to apply see the About the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund web page.
Key dates
See the table below for closing dates and advisory panel meeting dates for funding rounds in the 2017/18 financial year. Further rounds may be held if there is available funding.
| Closing date for applications | Advisory panel meeting dates |
|---|---|
| 28 July 2017 | 18 August 2017 |
| 22 September 2017 | 13 October 2017 |
| 10 November 2017 | 1 December 2017 |
Guide, application form, and reporting templates for applicants
Information guide
Before applying for funding you will need to read the guide for applicants. It will help you determine whether your group is eligible for funding and help you answer the questions in application form.
- Environmental Legal Assistance Fund Guide for applicants (updated in June 2017)
Application form
Applications must be made using this application form updated in June 2017.
- Environmental Legal Assistance Fund application form [DOC, 159 KB]
Deed of funding template
Successful applicants enter into a deed of funding with the Ministry to pay the costs (up to specified amounts) for the specified legal counsel and expert witnesses. The deed of funding is prepared by the Ministry using the template below.
- Deed template [PDF, 68 KB]
Confirmation of work undertaken form
All invoices sent to the Ministry for payment must be accompanied by the ‘Confirmation of work undertaken form’.
- Confirmation of work undertaken form [PDF, 39 KB]
- Confirmation of work undertaken form [DOC, 62 KB]
Update on proceedings reporting form
An ‘Update on proceedings reporting form’ must be completed and sent to the Ministry by 1 June each year until a decision has been made or settlement reached.
- Interim report form [PDF, 16 KB]
- Interim report form [DOC, 62 KB]
Final report form
The 'Final report form' must be completed and returned to the Ministry within four weeks of receiving the final decision of the Environment Court or board of inquiry.
- Final report form [PDF, 326 KB]
- Final report form [DOC, 45 KB]
Contact us
If you have any questions about the fund, or queries about whether the resource management proceedings you are participating in may be eligible for funding, please contact us. Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications with us at an early stage.
Freephone: 0800 499 700
Phone: +64 4 439 7400
Fax: +64 4 439 7700
Email: ela.fund@mfe.govt.nz
Street address
The ELA Fund
Ministry for the Environment
Environment House
23 Kate Sheppard Place,
Thorndon
Wellington
New Zealand
Postal address
The ELA Fund
Ministry for the Environment
PO Box 10362
Wellington 6143
New Zealand