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https://southlandapp.nz/NewsStory/wilding-conifers-continue-to-plague-southland/69e14b8a36ad07002d4c0829?fbclid=IwY2xjawRWFlZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpRUdnYmJ3S3pGOGh3NjdBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuE2aDyjQafg9gL30BB2_7HjD_p451YkZfRVjMQA-tivtZpZUUYhY_faOo6U_aem_GufgXgnFbW8aNOwRGGEVqA

https://www.es.govt.nz/about-us/envirosouth/2026-stories/autumn-2026/keeping-a-foot-on-the-throat-of-wilding-pines From the Keen family’s front door, the hills tell a story, one of invasion, persistence, and a farmer who refuses to let wilding pines swallow his family’s legacy. Jeff Keen remembers when the back block of the 870ha Tomogalak Gorge and neighbouring Cattle Flat Station in northern Southland were almost void of wilding pines.

Environment Southland’s top boss has given a blunt assessment on a wilding pine issue plaguing parts of the country. Southland has previously been described as reaching a “tipping point”, with trees spreading aggressively through high country, farmland and conservation areas. Environment Southland acting chief executive Rob Phillips said about $25 million extra was required to

The rise of a new villain and a lack of funding are two challenges facing a trust dedicated to removing wilding trees in Northern Southland. The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust hosted a hui in Lumsden on Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing the trust. Those attending included Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, district

Environment Southland staff lending a hand at a Mid Dome volunteer day. Funding for a trust undertaking wilding pine work in Southland has seen its funding reduce significantly of late. Photo: Environment Southland/Supplied Southland pest control group fears 18 years of work could be in jeopardy amid difficult conditions. Since 2006, Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust

They’re considered an environmentalists’ nightmare. Some groups work tirelessly to remove invasive wilding trees from the high country, but others now have resource consent to plant them. The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust, which has spent thousands of hours clearing wilding pines from other sites, is dismayed that the Southland District Council has granted

The success of the work already undertaken at Mid Dome to control wilding conifers rests heavily on further investment from the Government to complete the existing work programme.  The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust has written to all Government ministers with responsibilities relating to wilding conifer control, requesting a substantial funding increase for Phase