Wilding pines. An aerial shot shows wilding pine rapidly invading conservation land on Molesworth Station in
Marlborough. Photo credit Ministry for Primary Industries PHOTO NZDF
Federated Farmers says today’s announcement of extra funding for clearing pest pine trees, known as ‘wilding pines’ is a
good move towards rebuilding New Zealand’s economy.
The government’s announcement of a programme to employ people to remove the trees in Northland, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay
and Canterbury is a positive start, Federated Farmers environment spokesperson Chris Allen says.
"Hopefully this is a taste of a much more extensive environmental work programme coming in Thursday’s Budget as,
unfortunately, 160 new jobs will only just touch the sides when it comes to controlling these trees," Chris says.
The wilding pine problem has been raised by Feds with the government many times, and it featured in the environmental
and economic work programme suggestions the organisation made to the government in March.
Wilding pines are conifers which grow where they are not wanted, spread by wind-blown seeds and recognized as a pest
weed problem for many years. A national control programme struggles with this extremely difficult to control
biodiversity problem.
"We estimate at least a doubling of the current annual spent is required - in the order of $100 million over the next
four years will be needed to turn the problem around - even more would be great as every dollar spent up front is more
than a dollar saved in the long run," Chris says.
Getting rid of wilding pines, whether it be in high country tussock lands that are catchments for a significant
proportion of hydro electricity generation or be it exotic trees spreading into native bush, is vital.
"Removing wilding pines is about getting rid of the wrong tree from the wrong place.
"The beauty is that money spent now will achieve much more than if we wait just another year.
"This is clear example of where advancing spending will actually save a lot more time, money and effort in the medium to
long term."
Federated Farmers has its fingers crossed that this week’s Budget will bring a significantly larger commitment to a wide
range of initiatives that will provide much needed employment, make good economic sense and have lasting environmental
benefits.
This includes more money for wilding pines control, a big boost to pest control expenditure and significant funding for
catchment-based initiatives such as riparian plantings, wetland enhancement and soil erosion. All provide water quality
and indigenous biodiversity benefits.
Feds says work should concentrate on degraded and at-risk catchments to provide a much needed boost to provincial
economies and jobs for those who need them.
Learn more here: https://www.wildingconifers.org.nz/