In a bold conservation push, the New Zealand government has announced a $10 million investment over three years to control invasive weeds threatening the country world-famous natural landscapes and $3.4 billion conservation tourism sector.
Unveiled by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, the initiative aims to safeguard biodiversity boost rural livelihoods, and secure the future of nature-based tourism by targeting some of the country most ecologically sensitive and visited areas.
Weeds on the Rise, Ecosystems at Risk
Invasive species like wilding pines marram grass, spartina, and pampas grass are expanding rapidly, disrupting native ecosystems, degrading farmland, and even endangering icons like Aoraki/Mount Cook and Stewart Island. Wilding pines alone cover nearly 2 million hectares spreading at a rate of 5% annually.
Key Areas Set for Action
The funding, drawn from the International Visitor Levy, will focus on regions critical to conservation and tourism, including:
•Abel Tasman National Park
•Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
•Tongariro National Park
•Stewart Island / Rakiura
•Mackenzie Basin and Molesworth
•Te Paki and North Cape near Cape Reinga
These destinations are not just scenic treasures, but economic engines, drawing both domestic and international visitors. Keeping them healthy is essential to New Zealand’s global appeal.
Breakdown of the $10 Million
$3 million will go toward wilding conifer control in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin, reinforcing the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme.
$7.45 million is allocated to fight other harmful weeds like marram grass, spartina, and pampas grass in coastal regions including Rakiura, Abel Tasman, Te Paki, and North Cape.
A share of the funding will support AI-powered detection software that uses remote sensing to identify invasive outbreaks early shifting the strategy from crisis response to prevention.
Tourism, Conservation, and Community United
Minister Potaka highlighted that protecting the landscape also means protecting rural jobs and the tourism economy. Minister Hoggard echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of long-term funding: “Invasive weeds endanger not just biodiversity, but farms and water sources. This is why we’ve committed to sustained funding $10 million yearly, plus $2 million through the recent Budget.”
Since 2016, more than $150 million has gone into controlling wilding pines with an additional $33 million contributed by regional councils, iwi, landowners, and volunteers.
A National Effort to Preserve Natural Heritage
The initiative is built on partnerships with support from DOC rangers, iwi groups, regional councils, farmers, and community conservationists. Their work has already pushed back infestations and preserved some of New Zealand’s most treasured public lands.
As climate change increases the pressure on fragile ecosystems and post-pandemic tourism rebounds, the Government says this investment is crucial to maintaining New Zealand’s ecological integrity and global reputation.