Wilding conifers are threatening the region’s landscapes and biodiversity particularly in south Marlborough

Marlborough District Council’s Environment and Planning Committee was told of a looming catastrophe if more funding was not made available to target them, particularly in the Molesworth and South Marlborough area.

John Oswald, from the South Marlborough Restoration Trust, told of the efforts his group had made in clearing wildings and highlighting the issue to bureaucrats in Wellington.

“We’ve taken 50 people into the Branch/Leatham area – that’s where the seeding comes from,” he said. “I’m optimistic we can win this battle – I’ve been at it for 50 years – we just need funding.”

Operations Manager from Boffa Miskell Beth Williamson, who runs Molesworth’s Wilding Conifer Programme, said $5.5M was needed annually to maintain progress made to date.

“This is a winnable battle – we’ve got the tools and we know where the trees are – we just need the funding,” she said.

Since 2016, Council has managed Central Government’s regional investment into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (NWCCP), resulting in $22 million spent locally to protect landscapes, biodiversity, and productive farmland.

The programme had made significant progress, but the scale of the challenge was growing. This financial year, the NWCCP is operating on a baseline of $10M, of which $1.24M is allocated to Marlborough this year.

An additional $1M, secured from the Department of Conservation’s International Visitor Levy, will support the crucial work done in the Molesworth.

Council’s Senior Biosecurity Officer - Projects, Rob Simons, said the implications of inaction were serious.

“Without timely investment, these invasive species could infiltrate an additional 600,000 to 800,000 hectares of high country, jeopardising not only our local ecosystems but also water yields, tourism, and agriculture,” he said.

This year, the Marlborough wilding conifer control program has a total budget of $2.635 million, with Council contributions of $160,000.

As Biosecurity New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries) reviews the National Wilding Conifer Strategy, uncertainty around future funding remains a significant concern.

A focus of the 2025/2026 program will be the Molesworth management work, with significant aerial and ground operations.

“Collaboration remains a cornerstone of our approach - together, we can address this environmental crisis, but we need strong financial backing to turn aspirations into achievements,” said Mr Simons. “The call for more funding has never been more pressing. If we act now, we can preserve our region’s iconic landscapes for future generations while ensuring a thriving, biodiverse environment.”

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