Latest news with #NationalWildingConiferControlProgramme
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
More Funding Welcome - But Not Enough To Stop Wildings
Federated Farmers says another $3 million for wilding pines control is very welcome - but falls well short of what's needed. "New Zealand's iconic landscapes are under threat, and the battle against wilding conifers is being lost," Feds pest animal and weed spokesperson Richard Dawkins says. "It's not an exaggeration to call this an ecological crisis. It's a ticking time bomb that's about to blow." The Government collects $100 each from most international visitors arriving in New Zealand. Last week it was announced $3 million over three years of this International Visitor Levy (IVL) revenue will go to the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, in particular for work in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin areas. This boost comes on top of $3.35 million of IVL revenue over three years dedicated earlier this year to wilding control work in Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and on Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf. "We're grateful for the support, but let's be clear: this level of funding won't shift the dial. We need enduring, cross-party funding but also a smarter, more strategic response," Dawkins says. "Tourists come here for our iconic scenery, yet in too many districts wilding conifers are overrunning productive land and native biodiversity." Community-led groups like the South Marlborough Landscape Restoration Trust and Mackenzie Wilding Trust do exceptional work. However, the scale of the challenge far exceeds the current funding available. New tactics are required, Dawkins says. Crown pastoral leases lost through tenure review have seen large areas completely overrun with weeds and pests. At the same time, grazing concessions on public conservation land are difficult and expensive to obtain. "Without active land use, these areas turn into breeding grounds for wilding pines and TB-carrying pests, threatening neighbouring farms and conservation efforts," Dawkins says. "Putting farmers back on the land means those with the most at stake are managing weeds and pests, while also supporting export revenue and local jobs." Dawkins says one of the most significant wilding conifer seed sources in the country, in Marlborough's Branch and Leatham river catchments, is expected to cost more than $150 million to control. "That's just one site, and it's a seed source for the wider south Marlborough region. "The area was originally aerially seeded with conifers by the Crown for soil management, with a promise to address any unintended consequences. "Some funding has been allocated over the years, but it's been patchy and nowhere near enough to tackle the problem properly." Since 2016, governments have spent $150 million on wilding pine control, with another $33 million from landowners and communities. "But without sustained effort and fresh thinking, we risk all that going backwards." Dawkins says. "We're not trying to sound ungrateful, but the current approach - small, ad hoc funding rounds outside normal budgeting - feels like a lolly scramble. "It makes long-term planning and prioritisation incredibly difficult." Two-thirds of critical work has been deferred since the 2023/24 financial year because of a big drop in funding for the national programme. "This means we're quickly losing ground across the country in areas affected by wilding pines, and control costs are increasing exponentially," Dawkins says. Base funding for the national control programme is $10 million yearly. Wilding Pine Network chair Richard Bowman estimates $25 million a year for the next decade is needed to reduce wilding pines enough to a level where private and Crown landowners can get on top of the rest. Dawkins says the wilding pine problem sits squarely within Federated Farmers' Save Our Sheep campaign, which calls for urgent action on weed and pest control, and expanded access to high-country grazing. "We also welcomed the announcement in June of $7.45 million for invasive coastal weed control and weed detection software. "That's good news, but we also need to boost council biosecurity teams. They're under-resourced and fighting on too many fronts," Dawkins says. "If we're serious about protecting our environment and rural economy, we need long-term thinking and practical policy - not just short-term funding rounds."
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Pines, wallaby programmes set to continue
A $2 million work programme to control wilding pines and eradicate wallabies from Otago appears set to continue amid delays from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and no funding agreement in place. Otago regional councillors will tomorrow consider a staff proposal to continue the Otago Regional Council work programme on the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme from the beginning of this financial year on July 1, "even if there is a delay in the signing of the agreements with MPI". "For the last two years there has been a delay in MPI issuing the funding agreements for the Wilding Conifer Programme and Tipu Mātoro Wallaby Programme to council for signing," a council staff report said. "This delay has created issues for delivery of both national programmes. "To address this delay, it is proposed that council starts the delivery of works for the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and the Tipu Mātoro Wallaby Programme from July 1, 2025, even if the goods and services agreements are not yet signed. "The council biosecurity budget can carry the financial risk, until signed agreements are received, to ensure continuity and effective delivery of the programmes." The report said from 2016 to last year the national programme had spent $140m in wilding pine control nationally. From July 1, last year, funding of $10m a year had been committed by MPI to the national programme. The council had entered two previous funding agreements on pine control, the report said. One was from 2020 to 2024 and a second one was for the 2024-25 financial year, which expired at the end of this month. There had been discussion with Biosecurity New Zealand staff and there was an understanding there would be a new five-year deal with variations for annual funding on offer. However, MPI had not yet provided the council with a draft agreement to replace the agreement that was expiring, the report said. Likewise, after the council established an Otago Wallaby Programme following increased sightings of the pests in 2016, the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme was set up in 2020. The national programme was given $27m over the next four years for control of populations outside of containment areas, such as the one in South Canterbury. Again, the council signed a 2020-24 four-year deal and a subsequent one-year deal that was due to expire at the end of this month, the report said. In the case of wallaby control, MPI had provided a draft agreement, the report said. Like the expected wilding control agreement, it was a five-year deal with variable annual funding, it said. The report said council staff had informed MPI officials the delays were having an effect on the council's processes. Staff would continue to argue funding delays should be "reduced" to make sure the programmes were delivered "as efficient and effective as possible". In order to get the work started, it was proposed that the council get to work on the control programmes with the understanding the funding agreements would arrive and chief executive Richard Saunders would sign them on the council's behalf if there were no surprises. "It is proposed that the work programmes may commence prior to signed funding agreements with MPI, if these are not provided early enough in the financial year," the report said. "Funding is highly likely to still be provided by the government, there will just be a delay due to how their systems work." For wilding pine work, it was expected the council's obligations would be the same as last year and $1.07m would be received from MPI. The council was expecting $950,000 for wallaby work, the report said. Biosecurity New Zealand pest management director John Walsh told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the funding was secure. "Biosecurity New Zealand recognises that a delay to release funding has caused some issues for the council. However, there has been no reduction in funding available and we've been working collaboratively with the council to support the delivery of these programmes," he said.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tackling Wilding Pines To Boost Resilience
Hon Todd McClay Minister of Agriculture Minister of Forestry Hon Andrew Hoggard Minister for Biosecurity The Government is tackling the spread of wilding pines and backing rural resilience with a 20 per cent increase in funding this year – taking the total direct investment this coming year to $12 million. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government is focused on protecting the productive heart of New Zealand's economy. 'Wilding pines cost the rural community significantly and are often the bane of farmers lives, we have an obligation to work with them to control their spread, and reduce on farm burden,' Mr McClay says. 'This additional $2 million funding ensures those working to contain wildings over the next year can stay ahead of the spread. It's a smart investment in rural productivity, land management, and our long-term rural resilience.' More than two million hectares are affected by wilding infestations, with untreated areas expanding by an estimated five per cent each year. Left unchecked, the economic impact could reach $3.6 billion over 50 years. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says wilding pines threaten our farmland, water catchments, native biodiversity, and increase the risk of wildfires. They take over productive land, drain vital groundwater, and choke out native species. 'Since 2016, the Government has invested more than $150 million into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, alongside more than $33 million contributed by partners and communities,' Mr Hoggard says. 'This year's investment continues to support the people doing the work – regional councils, iwi, farmers, researchers, and volunteers – who are making a real difference across ten priority regions. 'We've pushed back some of the worst infestations and protected key landscapes. This funding keeps that momentum going and gives landowners the tools to protect and restore productive land.' The programme is led by Biosecurity New Zealand and delivered in partnership with councils, landowners, iwi, industry, and community groups.
