Aotearoa New Zealand’s forest industry holds the key to more funding and action on wilding pines

Authors: Jaquetta (Ket) Bradshaw
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2024, Issue N.Z.J.For. 69(1) 2024, pp Pages 32 - 39, May 2024
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Wilding pines are proliferating across Aotearoa New Zealand’s landscapes and present a multifaceted challenge to the country’s ecological integrity, native biodiversity and water resources. Despite their economic value in forestry, the ecological fallout from our two cornerstone species, radiata pine and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), is significant and their wilding pine infestations are increasing across the country. This paper sets out the problem and why the forest industry must be part of the solution, especially in providing future funding for wilding conifer control. The benefits of taking action are many fold, including helping with our social licence. The forest industry needs to manage and fund the removal of the seedling spread from its own plantation estate, as well as the seed rain emanating from it. There is already extensive collaborative action going on behind the scenes. Local and central government and the many community and iwi groups and charities are working diligently across Aotearoa to address the wilding pine challenge. Controlling wilding pines is therefore urgent. There is exponential growth in wilding conifers and the control costs are increasing exponentially too.

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