Wildlife Institutions Relief Fund (WIRF)

Expression of Interest (EoI)July 2020

DOC Reference: 6358760

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TimelineThe following table outlines the dates for the Wildlife Institutions Relief Fund application and funds release process. Dates following the close of applications on 27 July (which is a fixed date), are approximate:Date ActivityEoI Applications Open 11 July 2020

EoI Applications Close 5.00pm, Monday 27 July 2020

DOC/MPI Evaluation Process 5 August 2020

DOC/MPI Approval Process 17 August 2020

Institutions Notified 19 August 2020

Finalisation of Contracts and Funds Released

26 August 2020

Note: Information provided in this application will be treated as sensitive and should remain

confidential between the applicant and the Fund, or those whom the Fund needs to consult in the process.

Funding will be focused on critical operational costs for 2020-21, to maintain animal welfare, protect and retain specialist jobs and prevent the collapse of recovery programmes for our most threatened species.

While the focus of the Fund is to maintain conservation efforts for New Zealand’s indigenous species, the provision of animal care for exotic species can be included, where that is a component of the institution’s business model.

Funding will not be provided for expanding or upgrading existing facilities, recruiting additional resources, establishing new programmes of work, aquiring new assets/animals, or capital works.

Severely impacted institutions are encouraged to contact DOC at wirf@doc.govt.nz if they believe they will require funding support before the end of August to remain operating, as they may be eligible for out-of-round (emergency) assistance.

DOC reserves the right to issue media statements concerning successful Wildlife Institutions Relief Fund applications.

Contact InformationEmail: wirf@doc.govt.nz 

Website: www.doc.govt.nz/wirf

Version 2. – Revised 22/July/2020

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Wildlife Institutions Relief Fund: Completing this FormIf you need assistance completing this form, please email us at wirf@doc.govt.nz . Please complete this form electronically, and attach the following:

☐ Your bank account details and third-party verification (such as a bank statement or screenshot of your internet banking)

☐ Two years of profit and loss statements

☐ Your GST number

☐

Submit your completed application to wirf@doc.govt.nz. Proposals must be received by DOC no later than 5pm on Monday 27th July 2020.Note: For exceptional circumstances, there is scope to assess out-of-round (interim)

requests for funding support. If interim funding support is required before the end of August 2020, please inform DOC as soon as possible at wirf@doc.govt.nz and make this clear in your application.

Proposal ChecklistBefore you apply for this funding please complete the following:

☐Check the DOC website to ensure you have downloaded the most recent version of each of the following:

WIRF Funding selection criteria and funding timeline (webpage content). WIRF EoI Application Form (downloadable document).

☐ Check that your facilities meet the requirements relating to: the Animal Welfare Act 1999, the Biosecurity Act 1993, the Hazardous

Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, the Wildlife Act 1953, the Zoo Code of Welfare, and the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities.

Completing this formWhen filling out this form, please ensure:

☐ You provide the information required for each section.

☐You have read and understood the declaration details outlined in Section 5 and havesigned the declaration

EvidenceDOC and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will assess the application using the information provided by the applicant. During the assessment period we may request further information, or clarification of information provided, from applicants. When DOC and MPI assess proposals against the eligibility and assessment criteria we willconsider whether the evidence provided supports the claims, as well as the quality of thatevidence.

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Where questions ask for evidence to support claims, it is highly recommended that you provide reference sources that show the accuracy and quality of the evidence.Section 1: Applicant DetailsPlease enter details in the right column.

Applicant DetailsBusiness Legal Name

Business Trading Name

Business Type

Key Point of Contact(Name and Role)

Business Address (including postcode)

Email Address

Telephone Number

What is the primary activity of your institution?

What region or province is this institution based in?

Your local DOC Operations contact person is:

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Section 2: Eligibility and Assessment CriteriaPlease read carefullyWIRF funding provides financial relief to wildlife institutions that have been impacted by the response to COVID-19, such as reductions in revenue due to the decrease in international visitor numbers, to the point that your ability to remain operating is at critical risk.

The funding will be provided to individual institutions as short-term relief for 2020-21, to allow you to continue operating while adjusting your business planning to accommodate forecasted longer-term reductions in visitor income.

You must address all of the eligibility and assessment criteria below to qualify for WIRF funding:

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria1. Demonstrated reductions in revenue due to the impacts of the COVID-19 response, and

forecast reductions in revenue for 2020-21 (including the number of potential job losses).

2. Historical numbers of international and domestic visitors, demonstrated reductions since January 2020, and forecast visitor numbers for 2020-21.

3. Efforts made by the institution to generate new revenue, such as fund-raising initiatives.

4. The institution’s relative focus, and the number of staff employed, on:a. breeding and recovery, and other conservation programmes, for the restoration

of Aotearoa’s indigenous threatened species, b. other indigenous and exotic species.

5. Alternative forms of government COVID-19 economic recovery initiatives (such as the Wage Subsidy Programme, the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme and the Jobs for Nature initiative) and Provincial Growth Fund funding, that have been sought.

6. Demonstrated levels of community support and volunteer involvement.7. Levels of cash reserves and other assets.8. Commitment to Animal Welfare Act 1999 requirements, including animal welfare

contingency plan requirements under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, and the Biosecurity Act 1993 (specified in the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities and the Zoo Code of Welfare).

9. Commitment to a revision of the institution’s business plan, to consider the commercial viability of the institution in an environment of potential prolonged reductions in visitor revenue.

10.Indigenous and exotic species cared for.

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Section 3: Proposal Details

Proposal DetailsSummary of Funding Requirements(one sentence)Summary of alignment with WIRF selection criteria(one to two sentences)Provide a copy of your contingency plan as required under the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities.

(Please attach a .pdf of your Contingency and rehoming and closing down plans)

Explain how your business has been impacted by COVID-19.Note: Include impacts on revenue, including visitor numbers; as well as staffing impacts.

Explain how your institution contributes to the conservation of New Zealand’s indigineous species.

Please provide evidence of the decrease in your business income since January 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Summary and attach .pdf evidence.

Please provide a summary of your current financial position (e.g. balance sheet) and financial projections for expected ongoing impacts for 2020-21. Include details of capital investment projects underway, or on hold.

Explain any efforts your institution has made to generate new revenue streams (for example, crowd sourcing, or pooling resources with other institutions).

Explain the level of community support and volunteer involvement your institution receives.

Have you applied for, or do you intend to apply for any other government COVID-19 financial assistance package?

If yes, please state the type/s of assistance you have applied for, and whether a decision has been

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Proposal Detailsmade on your application.If no, please provide reasons why you have not applied for other government assistance.

Section 4: Financial SummaryPlease provide financial projections that support your request for financial assistance. NOTE: We recommend you include a copy of your most recent financial statements (for the past two years). We may seek further information from you to assess your request.Financial DetailsAmount of funding sought (excl. GST)

Provide a breakdown of how this funding will be used.In your answer please cover: Wages for staff, and number

of staff employed Animal care costs (inc. food,

enrichment and nesting materials)

Animal health care, including medical treatment

Species cared for, and number of animals

Fixed Costs (e.g. rates, insurance)

Repairs and Maintenance Utilities related to housing

and caring for animals Other operating expenditure Medium- to longer-term plans

for financial viabilityHas this funding been sought from other sources? If yes, please list the sources.

Is your institution receiving funding from other Government Agencies? If yes, please list all sources and funding amounts.

Please indicate your institution’s current cash reserves, and whether there are any limitations on the use of these reserves for emergencies.NOTE: Please attach a copy of financial statements for the past two years.

Please indicate if your institution has sufficient reserves to maintain current activities until

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Financial Detailsthe end of August 2020?If your application is successful, how many of your staff will you retain?What is the minimum amount of funding required to ensure your institution can continue to privide an appropriate level of care for the animals you are responsible for?

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Section 5: Declaration by ApplicantThe information provided by the applicant is:

true and correct compliant with all applicable laws, including the Animal Welfare Act 1999, Wildlife Act 1953,

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, and the Biosecurity Act 1993, regulations, rules and professional codes of conduct or practice

not subject to an insolvency action, administration or other legal proceedings not subject to actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest by the applicant or that

any of the key personnel have in relation to this project.

If you answered no to any of the above, please explain below:

Note: Before you submit your application, please review the content and ensure that you have included all necessary attachments.

DeclarationI declare that the statements in this application are true and the information provided is complete and correct,and there have been no misleading statements or omissions of any relevant facts nor any misrepresentations.

I consent to The Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) undertaking due diligence including any third-party checks as may be required to fully assess the application.

I understand that the application is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA). TheOIA enables DOC and MPI to withhold information under certain conditions. DOC and MPI will consult with the applicant should an OIA request be received.

SignatureName Title Signature Date

[Click or tap to enter a date]

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