About us
We financially support ecological restoration and biodiversity management
Kāmahi Foundation's core aim is to help on-ground ecological restoration and biodiversity management work.
We support tasks such as:
- Weed management
- Pest animal control
- Native planting
- Stock-proof fencing around vegetation and waterways
- Biodiversity monitoring
Projects must clearly show they are and will continue to provide value to Aotearoa NZ's indigenous biodiversity.
All of our net profits are donated to restoration projects
Kāmahi Foundation operates as an incorporated company.
We sell goods online for a profit. Instead of the profits going into our shareholders pockets, they are donated to restoration projects within Aotearoa New Zealand.
Funds are distributed to landowners, community groups, iwi, and other organisations to implement on-ground restoration and biodiversity management activities.
It is anticipated that the distribution of funds will commence in March 2023.
If you would like to be considered for funding, please contact us via funding@kamahifoundation.co.nz.
Why are we doing this?
As far as we know Earth is unique within the universe for supporting life.
Aotearoa New Zealand is recognised as one of Earth's biodiversity hotspots because so many of our native species are found no where else on Earth and therefore the universe.
However, we are in a national biodiversity crisis with nearly half of our species at risk or threatened with extinction.
A lot of work needs to be done to reduce the risk of extinction for our indigenous species. This work costs money.
A recent report from EY and World Wildlife Fund NZ estimated that as a nation we need to invest $26.5 billion each year to meet our biodiversity targets. We currently invest around $4 billion, so we need another $22.5 billion from somewhere. (The report also estimated that investing the necessary amount in nature would save Aotearoa NZ $270 billion by 2080!)
So that's why we're giving all of our profits to nature. We won't be filling a $22.5 billion deficit, but hopefully we can help fill the gap a little.
Who are we?
Kāmahi Foundation is the brainchild of NZ ecologist Adam Purcell who recognises the limited availability of funds as a critical problem of the biodiversity crisis we're amid.
Adam has a background as a generalist ecologist with a Master of Science degree from the University of Waikato.
In recent years, he's specialised in the restoration of forest and wetland ecosystems as the Managing Director of Tītoki Landcare.
Jess Wilson is the other key individual in our story to date. As the master of all things helpful, Jess helped bring Kāmahi Foundation to life and works alongside Adam to keep it running smoothly.
In a former life, Jess worked in tourism and as the Campus Manager of a tertiary education provider. She has been working with Adam since 2022 as the General Manager for Tītoki Landcare.
There are a number of references to Tītoki Landcare throughout our site, so to clarify, Tītoki Landcare is Kāmahi Foundation's older sister.
Tītoki Landcare is a specialist ecological restoration company helping people from all walks of life with restoration projects around Aotearoa, but mostly in the Waikato.
Tītoki has been a fine role model for Kāmahi and has provided a tonne of support as Kāmahi has got itself established in the world.