The New Zealand Government has announced an additional $79 million in funding to intensify the battle against wilding pines across the country, with Mid Dome in Northern Southland among the key areas set to benefit.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed the funding extension on Sunday, marking a significant step forward in tackling one of New Zealand’s most persistent environmental challenges. The investment will be distributed over the next three years to support control operations at ten high-priority sites, including Queenstown, the Whakatipu Basin, the Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth in South Marlborough, and management units in Branch Leatham and Wānaka.
Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust chair Ali Ballantine Timms welcomed the announcement, noting that the programme had been underfunded for years. She said the new funding would help maintain momentum in controlling the invasive species that threaten native ecosystems and farmland.
Wilding pines, often referred to as “green invaders,” spread rapidly across landscapes, displacing native vegetation and altering soil and water systems. The renewed government commitment aims to strengthen regional partnerships and ensure long-term ecological restoration.
This funding boost underscores New Zealand’s ongoing dedication to protecting its natural heritage and supporting local communities engaged in environmental conservation.
