Te Kōhanga Āhuru pest control involves three North Taranaki iwi - Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Maru.
Te Kōhanga Āhuru project administrator Marlene Benson said the project would create sustainable employment for the wider whānau and hapū, and ensure that the forests within their rohe are safe for kiwi.
The three iwi involved in the project have a deep attachment to the land, she said.
Experience Purangi conservation trust general manager Rebecca Somerfield said the funding would allow the East Taranaki Environment Trust to expand pest control boundaries out 5775ha to 18,775ha, and 15 future staff.