March 10, 2026

#regional: Wilding Pine Control Near Whangamatā Aims to Restore Mauri and Boost Local Economy

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 10, 2026

A large-scale effort to remove invasive wilding pines from culturally significant whenua near Whangamatā is underway, with tangata whenua saying the work will help restore the mauri of the land while also benefiting the local economy.

The project is being carried out on the 200-hectare coastal Tunaiti-Otahu block as part of a wider strategy led by Waikato Regional Council to contain and reduce the spread of wilding pines across the Coromandel Peninsula.

Local kaitiaki group Tunaiti Kaitiaki Rōopu says the removal of the invasive trees is an important step in restoring the health and cultural integrity of the whenua.

Wilding pines are considered one of the most invasive tree groups in the world because of their ability to spread rapidly across different landscapes. On the Coromandel Peninsula they have become a major ecological problem, overtaking native vegetation and altering fragile ecosystems.

The trees spread quickly through wind-borne seeds and grow tall and dense, preventing native plants from regenerating. As a result, they can disrupt habitats for native wildlife and change the natural character of landscapes that are culturally and environmentally significant.

For Uru Ngawera and Ngāti Pū, the Tunaiti-Otahu block holds deep cultural and historical importance. The area contains multiple archaeological and heritage sites, including pā locations, urupā and traditional landscape markers that form part of the iwi’s whakapapa and identity.

The wilding pine removal project is therefore seen as a key step in restoring both the ecological health and the cultural integrity of the whenua.

The work began earlier this year following a site blessing and is being undertaken by conservation contractor Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel.

The project also follows earlier work in 2024 that removed wilding pines from the nearby wildlife sanctuary of Hauturu Motu, also known as Clark Island, off the coast near Whangamatā.

Beyond environmental restoration, the project is also expected to bring economic benefits to the region. Healthier landscapes and restored native habitats can strengthen the appeal of the area for tourism and recreation, industries that play an important role in the local economy.

The three-year project is also creating opportunities for rangatahi from Uru Ngawera and Ngāti Pū. Two young trainees are currently learning practical conservation skills including hand-pulling young pines, cutting and treating trees, drilling and poisoning larger trees, and felling mature pines using chainsaws.

The long-term goal is to develop local capability so that future pest control and conservation work in the rohe can be led by tangata whenua themselves.

Wilding pine management is also a significant financial challenge. Each tree removed carries a cost, and ongoing monitoring is required because new seedlings can quickly emerge from seeds already spread across the landscape.

Regional authorities say continued collaboration between councils, iwi, landowners and community groups will be essential to ensure the work remains effective and that progress made in controlling wilding pines is not lost.

For those involved in the Tunaiti-Otahu project, the work is part of a much bigger kaupapa – restoring the mauri of the land while ensuring the next generation has the skills and knowledge to protect their own rohe.