8939 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

8939 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: Does the Minister share the concerns of Environment Southland that wilding pine control work will 'go backwards' without adequate funding?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: Wilding conifers are a significant pest in most regions of New Zealand, including parts of Southland. I am advised that before the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (the Programme) was established the problem was growing at around 90,000 hectares per year nationally, despite efforts by councils, landowners, and others to control them. Around three quarters of the known wilding conifer infestation has seen at least one round of control and the Programme is now focused on follow up in those areas to minimise re-infestation, with a focus on the highest priority areas. The Programme has baseline funding of $10 million per year from 2024/25 and other partners will also need to continue to contribute resources to the collective effort to protect the landscapes they care about.