Recent news and looking ahead
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Happy spring!
There is a bit to catch up on, you might want a cuppa with this update...
- Summary of 2024/25 operations
- Operations outlook for this year and next
- Conference highlights
- Health and Safety updates - good practice recognised
- Mapping where the wildings are
- International Visitor Levy boost for Marlborough and Mackenzie
- Sharing wilding knowledge and perceptions with the world
- Videos to share
Sherman says...
Kia ora koutou,
Time has flown since our last update in May!
We are well into the 2025/26 year, but a shout out to partners who pulled off some big feats in the last period. Never mind the fires, rains, snow... unexpected opportunities for new projects really put the pressure on contractors. They planned, deployed and delivered in the time available, all while maintaining good health and safety practice. Impressive work.
For this year, following a $2m boost that came in May, it was good to get another injection of $3m from the International Visitor Levy, announced in July. This third IVL contribution will keep parts of the Mackenzie Basin and Molesworth on track - key areas to demonstrate progress.
Two new videos below are great for showing what we all do and why, whether it's the massive operation at Ferintosh Station, or valiant volunteers with South Marlborough Landscape Restoration Trust.
Huge thanks to Jo Ritchie and Haeleigh Turner, and the amazing Twizel volunteers, and everyone who was part of the conference. Between the planners, presenters, demonstrations, the generous sponsors, the robust discussions, excellent food, the catching up, it is always such a valuable time. The innovation theme was reflected in the 'solution focused' thinking and collaborations that are always happening among this growing wilding control community. The contractor panel was a highlight - always good to hear the insights from those at the forefront of control.
Another theme of discussions was - what does success look like at the national level, under current funding levels? It's a question the Governance Group and Operational Advisory Group have discussed at length over the past year and we explain the current thinking below.
Enjoy the updates and as always, get in touch with any questions or feedback.
Sherman
Sherman Smith,
National Wilding Conifer
Control Programme Manager at Biosecurity New Zealand
Just a few conference highlights
Extreme organisers
Jo, Haeleigh and volunteers made it all look easy (and we know it was not).
A special shout out to Mackenzie Dunnicliff, a senior at Twizel Area School, who provided AV support for all speakers like a total pro!
In the photos below: Filing into the Twizel Community Centre auditorium; shining a well deserved spotlight on community group members; Rich from ECan narrating the view across Takapō from Mt John Observatory; a remote control mulching machine put through its paces; Pete Oswald busy with camera and micro-fir-n; one of several drone demonstrations; Andrew Simpson shared his experience growing low-seeding hybrids; Jolie from Environment Southland shared her success rate with controlling Pinus contorta... and the new wave of Douglas fir.
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There is so much more from the three days - Pete's videos sum it up well
All past conference presentations are available at Wilding Pine Network/conference
Next year's dates to be advised. How about Invercargill? If you are keen to present in 2026, send an abstract (approx. 250 words) to Jo@wildingpinenetwork.org.nz.
(Back to the North Island in 2027).
Biocontrol exploration underway - watch this space
Picture from NZPCN: An NZ mistletoe, Korthalsella salicornioides
Among many hot topics during the conference was the potential for biocontrol agents to reduce wilding spread. A project is underway, funded jointly through BNZ, DOC and council partners via EnviroLink.
It will see the team at the Bioeconomy Science Institute pull together available research and assess a range of possible agents with potential for safe, targeted use against specific undesirable species. This builds on earlier work undertaken as part of the MBIE-funding Winning Against Wildings research programme. We expect to share an initial report early in 2026.
Operations outlook
Current operations focus through to June 2026
For the current year, while we work through updating our criteria and mapping, the focus is the same as last financial year: Delivering the highest priority control, primarily maintenance cycles that are required on land where the National Programme has invested in control previously.
This has been balanced with supporting control in as many areas as possible. Some operations are planned in most active areas for the Programme - 34 Management Units across all nine active regions.
In areas where the required maintenance is unlikely to be delivered (there are many), the OAG has 'stand by' projects that could be delivered quickly. This means we are ready to roll if, as happened the last two years, extra opportunities arise.
All MUs where control has been delivered through the Programme to date will continue to be part of the infestation mapping and prioritisation process, along with areas yet to be tackled.
What does success look like from here?
Over the past year the Programme's leaders in both the Operational Advisory Group (OAG) and Governance Group have examined closely what “success” looks like for the Programme at current funding levels.
Obviously the ideal is to have consistent and predictable investment, towards the long-term aim of the Programme - to achieve effective wilding conifer management nationwide.
We are confident that decision makers have a good picture of what is needed and we provide advice quite regularly. While they weigh up many priorities, there is a clear focus on the best use of the resources we have to hand.
Looking further ahead to next financial year 2026/27
The Programme's leaders from all partners have agreed that we want provide certainty for operational planning into next year as early as possible. This means working on the basis of current funding levels (while working to increase resourcing).
There will need to be a focus on demonstrating success, which means prioritising operations that can:
It's timely to review this, drawing on draw on the information and knowledge we now have to hand including land vulnerability, the latest science, and the control progress that has been made to date.
Support services continue
There is also agreement around the importance for all regions to continue to benefit from and have input into the wider work of the Programme in improving wilding conifer management. Examples are the research strategy, supporting operational trials, policy advice and updating the national strategy . Likewise, the OAG and TAG will continue in key roles developing and updating good practice guidance, staying on the forefront of research and supporting health and safety management.
International visitors' levy helping protect the iconic scenery they come to see
Some areas within the Hakatere, Porters and Molesworth MUs are now up to date with maintenance and won't need control work for another three years, thanks to control work funded by the IVL in 2024/25.
A third injection of funding from the Department of Conservation via the International Visitor Levy, announced in July, will see essential control work delivered this year (by June 2026) elsewhere in the Molesworth area and in the Mackenzie Basin.
People updates
Go well, Sarah Fish
Our valued policy and strategy lead Sarah Fish (who has also been leading programme management functions for the last year) finished with us in early October. She is starting an exciting new role with MPI's Policy and Trade branch and a secondment to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Sarah advanced many of the Programme's policy related aims, including advising on alignment of RPMP's, improvements to national afforestation regulations, developing our Transition guidance, and many many requests for advice and information from all quarters. Her calm demeanour, sound advice and sharp wit are already missed and we wish Sarah the very best.
Safe move, Johno
Health and Safety specialist Johno Tunnell is on the move, though staying within the wider National Programme family over at Toitū Te Whenua LINZ.
Johno has played a big role in the safety aspects of our Good Practice Guides, establishing regular H&S audits and improving the rate of incident reporting through the Programme. Johno's practical approach is always focused on getting everyone home safe, while also meeting the standards required across our rather complex contracting chain as a nationally funded programme with a regional delivery model.
Johno's new role will see him share his experience across a broad range of projects and we know all involved will be safer for his oversight.
2024/25 Operations summary
Over $19 million was spent on control operations through the last financial year, through a combination of baseline funding through Biosecurity New Zealand, additional International Visitor Levy funding, and it was a record year for contributions from partners (at around $8m).
National infestation mapping is underway
A lot has changed since our current national infestation map was compiled. Having an up-to-date map of wilding conifer infestations throughout the country is key to help with effective management, directing control efforts and measuring progress.
Improvements to WCIS by the team at Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand have laid the groundwork for an up-to-date and more detailed map, so we are now busy working with partners to input data from around the country.
Health and Safety updates
Safety award - nice one Beth!
See the new Good Practice Guide for remote and isolated work if you are planning operations out in the wops.
It was great to see Boffa Miskell's Beth Williamson recognised (back in June) in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025
Beth "enabled a safe system for a crew working remotely and set higher expectations in high-risk activities like weed-spraying, helicopter use, remote camping and predator control."
Chap strike - failing safely
In the past four years there have been nine health and safety incidents reported for chap strike (when chainsaw operators accidentally have the chain make contact with and cut into their protective chaps).
It's kind of a good news story.
Prepared for a safe fire-risk season?
Other news updates
- The WCG and Queenstown Lakes District Council are really whacking wilding spread in the Whakatipu
- New good practice safety guidance in progress - staying alive around dead trees
- The latest on the Wilding Tree Risk Calculator - and where to send questions.
Epic videos capture epic wilding control efforts
No Sherman is not doing 'jazz hands' - he's explaining the big picture (its big!) Filmed over a year, 'Lake to Mountain' video captures multiple-method seed source removal project on a massive scale at Ferintosh Station by Lake Pūkaki.
A trip with local legends filmed in one day includes a close up Kea encounter and is just as epic to watch (as are the other stories on the SMLRT facebook page).
Wilding control knowledge - and perceptions - shared on world stage (from Christchurch)
Think back... you may have been one of around 850 people who filled out, or shared a survey exploring public perceptions of wilding conifers, led by Tom Carlin at Scion, with Dr Rowan Sprague at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research (now both part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute).
Asked about their appetite for funding of wilding conifer management, around 70% of respondents supported 'more' funding, and around half supported an increase compared with other weeds.
Rowan presented some of the findings to an international audience gathered at Lincoln University in Christchurch in August. The 17th International Conference on the Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions (EMAPI). Of this large 3-day conference, half a day was dedicated to a symposium on wilding conifer management, with 12 scientists and researchers (plenty of familiar names) sharing their insights and what New Zealand has learned.
Tom presented the results at the Conference. Would you like a webinar on the Perceptions research?
Consultation updates
Proposed Amendments to the Biosecurity Act including pest management
Following the Review of the Biosecurity Act, the Minister has just announced some proposed changes and is inviting feedback, including discussion around management of long term pests. Details online:
Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act | NZ Government
Biosecurity System Action Plan
A new shared action plan was released in July 2025, aiming to help people and organisations across the biosecurity system work together more effectively. You can find out more and see the plan here on the Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI) website:
An action plan to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system | NZ Government
Update: call for proposals interested in afforestation on Crown-owned land
In February we let you know about the government's call for interest in afforestation on crown-owned land. More than 80 submissions were received and we understand that the advice that has been compiled with this feedback is currently with Ministers. If you want to know more check out the page on MPI website or the subsequent Cabinet Paper.
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