Tēnā koutou,
Welcome to our quarterly newsletter where we bring you the latest news and updates from the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (NWCCP). Thanks to all our fantastic contributors.
A note from Sherman Smith, NWCCP Programme Manager
It’s hard to believe we are already into the fifth month of 2023. I’d like to thank all our fund managers and regional partners for supporting the operational planning process - which has been a bit more complex than in previous years. Most of you will be aware that what we called ‘phase two’ of the programme was boosted with a four-year injection of Jobs for Nature funding, which we have squeezed impressive value from.
As we adjust to a more baseline level of programme funding, working together collaboratively on how we achieve our long-term vision, to contain or eradicate all wilding conifer infestations by 2030, is as important as ever. While we continue to explore a range of possible opportunities to boost resourcing for control work, it is a real positive that we now have secure funding of $10 m per year through to 2030 and beyond.
Work on our strategic priorities to improve wilding management also continues. This includes ongoing work on refining control methods; essential policy initiatives; research and good practice; championing health, safety & wellbeing; educating the public about wilding conifers; supporting local communities and enhancing our systems for monitoring infestations, planning control and tracking progress.
We can be confident and proud that the Programme we are all delivering is well trusted and respected, with an enviable track record that demonstrates significant quantifiable benefits.
Sherman controlling wildings in St James, South Canterbury on a day off.
The key has always been collaboration, and I look forward to tackling upcoming challenges together, and to catching up with more of you in person this year. Meanwhile, take care of yourselves as winter approaches, and thanks for your ongoing support!
Celebrating our wilding warriors!
The Programme was fortunate enough to win the 2022 New Zealand Biosecurity award in the government category. This recognition would not have been possible without the efforts put in by our partners, Trusts, groups, contractors and volunteers. Watch a video tribute to our partners and contractors below.
Identifying wilding conifers just got easier
We've developed a new Wilding Conifer Quick ID Guide that anyone can use to help identify wildings when out and about. Click on the button or image to view the guide on our website. We'd like to thank all of our contributors and especially the NWCCP technical advisory group for their time and help in developing this guide.
Paul Green: A national hero, protecting a global treasure from wildings
Tongariro National Park and its surroundings is undoubtedly an iconic and internationally recognised part of Aotearoa New Zealand. For Paul Green, it’s been his home and place of work for the better part of his life. In 2022, Paul received a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award from the NZ Plant Conservation network, recognising his dedication and leadership in protecting the native biodiversity of the National Park and the surrounding areas. “I grew up in Wellington. A love of the outdoors as a teenager, led to me exploring the mountain ranges of New Zealand at every opportunity,” says Paul.
Paul was appointed as a Ranger in Ohakune in 1974 and tasked with coordinating control of Pinus contorta on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu. “Since the late 1950’s wilding seeds were being windblown from nearby Karioi Forest, overwhelming the tussock grasslands and alpine areas of Tongariro National Park at an alarming rate,” Paul explains. “When ecologist Dr Ian Atkinson and Chief Ranger John Mazey identified the threat from wildings, they directed staff and volunteer groups, including tramping clubs and Forest & Bird, to start pulling and cutting the seedlings - this was perhaps the first recognised wilding pine problem in New Zealand!”
Paul Green (second from the right) with members of the project team, landowners and Mana Whenua for the Northern Taupō lakeshore reserves. Project Tongariro has secured additional funding from the Lotteries Commission to continue the work begun with funding from NWCCP in 2020-2021.
Project Tongariro
Paul is a longstanding member of Project Tongariro - one of the 12 community partnership projects receiving funding from the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. The group has so far used this to control 347 hectares of wildings on Mt Tauhara, near Taupō, and current aerial operations are adding to that.
“Wilding pine spread around Lake Taupō was replacing native vegetation succession following land clearance or fires. Natural values and cultural landscape values were at extreme risk,” says Paul. “Without funding from the National Programme, control around the Lake would not have occurred at an effective level and the good work started by Waikato Regional Council would have become ineffective.”
“We are proud of these results that are a tribute to all those involved, including the landowners who have put their trust in the project and its goals”.
Photo of Ngātoroirangi rock carvings at lake Taupō. Wilding conifers in the background on Rangatira Point and Te Aokarere blocks have been controlled with NWCCP funding in 2020-2021, and Project Tongariro has continued to work with the landowners in this area to undertake follow-up control. “It is fantastic that wilding conifers have been controlled at such an important Taupō landmark,"says Ecologist and Project Manager, Alana Delich. "We've been told that it is a talking point for the skippers that take tourists out to see the carvings.”
Photo of the Waihaha River, looking west towards the Pureora Forest park. This site had a dense infestation of Douglas Fir, and work to control these trees began in 2020-2021, with Project Tongariro securing funding from NWCCP to undertake follow up treatment in Waihaha and around the Taupō Lakeshore reserves.
Wilding and Wallaby teams get a warm welcome at South Island meetings
In March we joined up with our Biosecurity New Zealand colleagues in the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication programme, to meet with people in Tekapo and Twizel. It was great for us and our council partners to talk in person with local landowners, councils, contractors and others about the significant challenges presented by these invasive pests. A big thank you to everyone who came along and supported these events.
Adam Ross (left) and Sherman Smith (right) from NWCCP, inspecting control progress in Pukaki, near Twizel.
Environment Canterbury is planning for a wilding free future
The wildings team at Environment Canterbury (ECAN) is developing a new regional strategy for wilding pine control, including working with landholders and supporting them to maintain the gains that have been made under the National Programme. The team is also ramping up efforts to raise public awareness on the negative impacts of wilding pines and have recently launched a new website with information and stories on their wilding eradication programme. To keep up with news and updates, subscribe to the ECAN quarterly Biosecurity newsletter.
Wilding Free Mackenzie clearing the way for native scrub species
The tireless members of the Wilding Free Mackenzie (WFM) Trust continue their efforts to rid the Mackenzie of wildings. Over several volunteer days in Ben Dhu Reserve, local community members took to the tools to protect native scrub species, including some of New Zealand's own native conifers like Bog Pine (Halocarpus bidwillii) and Mountain Toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus).
WFM Volunteers ready to tackle wildings near Lake Ohau in the Mackenzie Basin.
Educating the next generation of high-country farmers
Another volunteer event organised by WFM with support from ECAN, Mainland Vector and Zolve Environmental Ltd., saw 40 students and staff from Waihi School join the fight against wildings near Twizel. “It was fantastic to get the kids out of the classroom to help protect the fragile Mackenzie high country - getting hands on is the best way to learn!" says WFM Co-ordinator, Haeleigh Turner. Read more on Wilding Free Mackenzie Facebook.
A Waihi School student doing their bit to protect the Mackenzie from wildings.
Northland Regional Council fronting the wildings problem at Northland's biggest agri-event
The 2023 Northland Fieldays was held in Dargaville from 2-4 March, after a two-year break due to COVID-19. The event demonstrated the incredible resilience of the local and regional community, pulling together only weeks after hurricane Gabrielle. The Council's biosecurity team spoke to the many attendees on best practice when it comes to managing wildings on their property and hope to attend similar events in the region to spread the word and the importance of wilding conifer control in Te Tai Tokerau Northland.
A wildings information board placed in the ‘plants, pests and weeds’ area - a popular spot and topic for attendees.
Watch a video on wilding pines in the Far North.
National Operations Update
We are almost at the end of the 2022-2023 financial period. Here is a snapshot of what we’ve achieved so far this year.
Health and Safety Update
Thanks to all of our skilled and hardworking contractors who continue to report health and safety incidents occurring within Programme operations. Reporting incidents into WCIS as soon as possible helps us share learnings across the programme and contributes to our continued focus on health, safety and wellbeing of all our people. As we prepare for the winter season, please pay particular attention to conditions before commencing control work.
Watch a video on Helicopter safety for control crews.
Health and Safety Dashboard
Good Practice Guides (GPG)
We've published a number of guides that set out the Programme’s agreed methods for safe and effective wilding conifer control. You can find these guides on our website by clicking on the button below. As part of our on-going focus on continuous improvement, we welcome any feedback or questions to wilding.pines@mpi.govt.nz.
Digital campaign
Our campaign to educate the public about wilding control work is still running, targeting specific audiences, in various locations. Click on the banner images to preview our animated ads with their unique North Island and South Island imagery.
Digital resources and engagement advice
You are welcome to use the digital resources like videos, graphics, and promotional materials available on the www.wildingpines.nz website. We encourage you to use these to communicate the wildings issue with your local communities – or prompt friends and family to spot wildings while enjoying the outdoors.
Contact us
If you have stories to share, questions or suggestions on what you would like to see in these newsletters, or on the website, please contact us on wilding.pines@mpi.govt.nz
