The Canyon Fund is administered by the NZ Canyoning Association for two purposes;

1. To support existing canyoning opportunities

By providing funds to establish, develop, repair, maintain or upgrade infrastructure in and around existing canyons in New Zealand. The fund is intended to support projects which develop the range of canyoning opportunities, improve safety and/or mitigate the impact of canyoning.

Appropriate infrastructure may include, but is not limited to;
• canyoning anchors
• access tracks
• toilets
• signage

2. To encourage new canyoning opportunities

To support the discovery of new canyons, to develop the range of canyoning opportunities, inspire the canyoning community, and raise the profile of canyoning and the NZCA.

Applications will be considered by the executive of the NZ Canyoning Association as a matter of business as per the society rules. Not all applications will be approved, and some applications may only receive part funding.

The amount of money available to the Canyon Fund each year will be determined by the executive, when considering the budget for the NZCA financial year. When the amount of funds applied for exceed the amount available, the money granted to new canyoning opportunities applicants will be limited to 25% of the available funds for that period.

The Canyon Fund is normally only available to support projects organised by members of the NZ Canyoning Association.

Funding is normally limited to consumable materials only. This means materials which stay in/around the canyon may be funded, but that things like ropes, transport, food, expenses will not be funded.

In exceptional circumstances, where projects on existing canyons require professional work, funding may be granted towards the costs of professional labour and other expenses.

For existing canyoning opportunities
• How much use the canyon receives
• The degree that safety is maintained or improved by the project

For new canyoning opportunities
• The significance of the expedition
• The degree to which it will inspire the canyoning community
• How the expedition will raise the profile of the NZCA

For all applications
• The degree that impacts of canyoning activity are mitigated by the project
• The suitability of the applicant to successfully complete the project
• The approval of relevant land owners/managers to do the project
• The cost of the project, compared to the benefits
• How well this project aligns with good practice
• How well the project aligns with the strategic objectives of the NZ Canyoning Association as decided by the executive.

Applications can be received at any time and will be considered in the order they are received. Applications which miss out in competition, may apply in following year.

Applications should be made prior to placing anchors wherever possible. However, in some circumstances, the NZCA may consider retrospective applications. The aim of this is to encourage careful forward planning when installing anchors, but not to disadvantage canyon explorers and developers who may be unsure of the quality of a canyon before they explore it for the first time.

If a canyon is worthy of being developed up to the permanent anchor standard of the NZCA Bolting COP, then an application for developing the canyon may also include a request to fund the anchors already installed.  Approval for retrospective funding for anchors which have already been installed will normally only be considered if the applicant also is applying for funds to bring the canyon up to permanent anchor standard.

Funding will only be considered for already installed anchors which were placed within the previous or current canyoning season.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified as soon as is practicable. The executive decision on any applications is final, and no further correspondence will be entered into once that decision has been made.

Successful applicants will be notified as soon as is practicable, with any conditions that must be met.

These conditions may include;
• That the project must be completed within a certain time frame
• The maximum amount of funds which will be offered
• Any other condition the executive requires

Reimbursement for actual costs, up to the maximum agreed, will be paid by the Treasurer to the applicant once;
• The project is completed to the agreed standard
• All conditions of the applications are met
• Appropriate receipts and/or invoices are provided