Budget 2026: $79m to control wilding pine - with $30m coming from tourists
Sunday, 24 May 2026
Thursday’s budget will allocate $79 million to the control and eradication of wilding pine, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced.
The new funding brings the total committed by this Government to tackling wilding conifers to $109m.
“Wilding pine“ refers to uncontrolled exotic conifers which spread unaided throughout New Zealand, altering water systems and harming native plant life.
About two million hectares or 7.5% of New Zealand is infested with wilding pine, and DOC estimate that without major intervention 20% could be covered within 20 years.
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About $30m of the funding is coming directly from the International Visitor Levy, which National criticised in Opposition but more than doubled once coming to Government.
Hoggard made the announcement in Queenstown alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Sunday.
“Budget 2026 invests an additional $79 million over the next three years, taking the total commitment to $109 million, so we can ramp up control work and get ahead of the spread. This is a smart investment in rural productivity and will back those working hard on-the-ground to contain wildings,” Hoggard said.
He said it was also crucial to tourism.
“Tourism is a key part of our plan to grow the economy and create jobs, lift wages, and help kiwis get ahead. This funding will help protect our unique natural environment from the spread of wilding pines.”
The programme will be led by Biosecurity New Zealand and will be focused on high priority areas such as the Queenstown and the Whakatipu Basin, the Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth in South Marlborough, and the North Island’s central plateau.
Federated Farmers pest spokesman Richard Dawkins welcomed the news.
'Wilding pines are an ecological disaster threatening farms, exports, biodiversity, tourism, and water resources across New Zealand,“ Dawkins said.
'Most Kiwis don’t see the problem day to day, but these invasive trees are spreading across some of our most iconic landscapes at an alarming rate.“
'While some funding has been allocated over the years, it’s been piecemeal and nowhere near enough to get on top of the problem properly.“