The Government is increasing funding to tackle the spread of wilding pines, with an extra $2 million being added to the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. The boost takes total annual investment to $12 million as officials warn the invasive trees are threatening farmland, waterways, native ecosystems and rural livelihoods across Aotearoa.
Wilding pines currently affect more than two million hectares nationwide, with infestations continuing to spread by an estimated five percent every year if left unmanaged. Government figures estimate the long-term economic impact could hit $3.6 billion over the next 50 years if the spread is not brought under control.
The programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, works alongside regional councils, iwi, landowners, researchers and community groups to contain and remove the invasive trees across ten priority regions. Since 2016, more than $150 million in Crown funding has been invested into wilding pine control, alongside tens of millions contributed by local communities and partners.
Wilding pines are known to choke out native vegetation, drain groundwater, increase wildfire risks and take over productive farming land. Officials say controlling the spread is critical to protecting biodiversity, hydro catchments and the economic resilience of rural communities.
The latest funding increase comes as the Government intensifies its broader biosecurity and land management efforts, with new technology and aerial detection systems also being explored to identify infestations earlier and reduce long-term control costs.
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