A government investment of $1.4m to plant 136,000 native seedlings on Māori land in Hawke's Bay is set to create 20 new jobs for the region.
The funding forms part of a $7.5m injection into four environmental projects across New Zealand, announced by Forestry Minister Shane Jones on Tuesday.
Waipuka Māori Land Blocks, based near Waimarama, will plant 136,000 seedlings on 123ha of riparian land, and build 4km of fencing, over the space of two years.
Twenty full-time jobs will be created as a result.
A total of $885,000 of funding will come from the One Billion Trees scheme, while a further $516,000 will come from the Provincial Growth Fund.