Our environment is our most important asset. We work with the community to ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources. The future of our beautiful region starts with protecting and caring for it today.
We work with the community to promote the sustainable management of natural physical resources. The Resource Management Act sets out how we should manage our environment and forms the foundation for the majority of our work.
Wilding conifers (also known as wilding pines) are introduced conifer trees which have self-seeded and are growing where they are not wanted — they are the wrong tree in the wrong place.
Unlike commercial forests, wilding conifers are weeds and pose a serious and increasing pest issue in New Zealand which, if left uncontrolled, threaten to permanently alter our ecosystems, landscapes, and farms, and impact on our economy.
Seeds from inappropriately located plantings or from existing wildings can be blown many kilometres by wind, and spread into areas such as farmland, our high country and public conservation land. If not removed, seedlings can quickly grow into dense, impenetrable wilding conifer forests that out-compete native plants and animals, reduce water yield, limit productive land use, and severely alter natural landscapes. Wilding conifers may also increase the risk of wildfires and harbour diseases.
Managing wilding conifers is an issue that can only be addressed through landowners, community groups, industry, researchers, and local and central government working together. To achieve the vision of the right tree in the right place, there is a role for all New Zealanders to be aware of this expanding issue, and support taking action.
Contorta pine - Source: Weedbusters
Contorta pine - Source: Weedbusters
Why are they a pest?
Wilding conifers can have significant impacts on native ecosystems, by shading out low-stature native plants. Where there is thick wilding conifer growth, this can lead to local extinction of native plant communities, the drying of wetlands and riparian areas, and resulting impacts on native fauna through the loss of habitat. Soil and soil fauna are also altered when wilding conifers replace native ecosystems.
Otago’s iconic landscape is vulnerable to the invasion of wilding conifers. If not controlled, they would significantly change the landscape and impact on our recreational, hydrological and conservation values. Particularly at risk is our high country and tussock grasslands. The growing problem has been recognised for some years and as a result, the Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group and the Central Otago Wilding Control Group established themselves solely to fight wilding conifers.
It is estimated that wilding conifers are spreading at around 5% annually. Failure to control their spread at an early stage can quickly lead to increasing numbers of trees taking hold, and the costs of control escalating exponentially.
Douglas fir - Source: Weedbusters
Douglas fir - Source: Weedbusters
Douglas fir - Source: Weedbusters
The different types of wilding conifers
Wilding conifers are any introduced conifer tree, including (but not limited to) any of the species listed in Table 3, established by natural means. This doesn’t apply to conifers within a forest plantation that don’t create any greater risk of wilding conifer spread to neighbouring or nearby land than the forest plantation that it is a part of. For the purposes of this definition, a forest plantation is an area of 1ha or more of predominantly planted trees. This excludes planted conifers of less than 1ha, such as windbreaks and shelterbelts existing before March 2019.
Table 3: Introduced conifer trees in our pest plan
Common name
Botanical name
Contorta (lodgepole) pine
Pinus contorta
Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Corsican pine
Pinus nigra
European Larch
Larix decidua
Radiata pine
Pinus radiata
Mountain pine and dwarf mountain pine
Pinus mugo and P.uncinata
Maritime pine
Pinus pinaster
Ponderosa pine
Pinus ponderosa
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris
Bishops pine
Pinus muricata
Most wilding conifer species do not pose a significant threat to established native forests, however some species are adapting to new areas. Douglas fir in particular has a higher shade tolerance than other introduced conifer species and can consequently spread into shrublands, regenerating native forest and mature forest where there are canopy gaps and a relatively sparse understory.
Contorta (lodgepole) pine, Corsican pine, Scots pine, dwarf mountain pine, mountain pine and larch have very limited commercial value and are also highly invasive. Contorta (lodgepole) pine has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993 since 2001, which means it cannot be bred, propagated, distributed or sold.
Contorta in particular, is an unwanted organism and is the most invasive introduced conifer species.
Over the life of the pest plan (10 years) the goal is to ensure that the spread of wilding conifers don't cause unreasonable costs to the occupiers of neighbouring properties where control operations have taken place, or where the neighbouring occupier is undertaking active wilding conifer management.
Below are the rules for wilding confiers in our pest plan, these can be complex so if you want to someone in our biosecurity team about these rules call ORC on 0800 474 082 or email pests@orc.govt.nz.
Plan Rule 6.3.4.1 Within the Otago Region occupiers shall eliminate all wilding conifers present on land that they occupy prior to cone bearing, if:
The wilding conifers are located within an area which has had control operations carried out to eliminate wilding conifers since January 2016; and
The control operations were publicly funded (either in full or in part).
Plan Rule 6.3.4.2 Within the Otago Region occupiers shall eliminate all wilding conifers present on land they occupy within 200m of an adjoining property boundary prior to cone bearing, if:
Wilding conifers have previously been eliminated through control operations on the adjoining property; and
The control operations on the adjoining property were within 200m of the boundary and were undertaken since January 2016.
Plan Rule 6.3.4.3 (Note: This is designated a Good Neighbour Rule) Within the Otago Region occupiers shall eliminate all wilding conifers present on land they occupy within 200m of an adjoining property boundary prior to cone bearing where:
The adjoining land has previously been cleared through control operations since January 2016; and
The occupier of that adjoining land is taking reasonable steps to manage wilding conifers on their land, within 200m of the boundary.
Plan Rule 6.3.4.4 (Note: This is a Pest Agent Rule) Within the Otago region occupiers shall, on receipt of written direction from an Authorised Person, eliminate any Pest Agent Conifer that is present on land they occupy within 200m of an adjoining property boundary prior to cone bearing where:
Wilding conifers have previously been eliminated through control operations on the adjoining property; and
The control operations on the adjoining property were within 200m of the boundary and were undertaken since January 2016.
What if I use conifers for my shelter belt?
Contorta shelter belts and other conifer shelter belts are often used to provide shelter for stock. It can be difficult to successfully control or manage the spread of wilding conifers over the long-term if the existing planted seed sources are not removed or appropriately managed and contained. The pest plan does not require you to remove existing shelter belts and other existing planted conifers less than 1ha. However, ORC’s Biosecurity Strategy sets out transition arrangements for their long-term removal, starting with the removal of Contorta shelter belts.
What are we doing?
Otago Wilding Conifer Control
Otago is divided into 17 management units (geographical areas) for the purposes of controlling wilding conifers, with funding allocated to the management units where wildings are most prone to spreading. Control work in each management unit is undertaken through a collaborative partnership between the Otago Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG) and Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group (CWG), with project managers overseeing landowner consultation, funding agreements and the contracting workforce delivering the ground or aerial operations. Landowners are eligible, on a priority basis, to be included in the Programme where management units are funded.
Wilding conifer control, Kakanui range
Volunteers at Ben Lomond, Queenstown. Photo: ODT
ORC field day near Naseby
Community Groups
Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group Inc (WCG) is a community, not-for-profit organisation created in April 2009. We are focused on protecting biodiversity and the remarkable landscape of the Whakatipu for the benefit of residents, users, tourists and particularly, future generations. The WCG aim is to control wilding trees. Queenstown is renowned worldwide for its stunning and iconic landscapes, but they are under threat from wilding trees. Wilding conifers threaten and replace native beech forests and tussock.
Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group Inc (CWG) is an independent community not-for-profit organisation formed in 2013 in response to mounting concerns about the impact and spread of wilding conifers on the Central Otago landscape. CWG aims to protect the Central Otago landscape from the spread of wilding conifers and associated consequences. We work with landowners to control and remove wilding conifers from the landscape. We are funded by MPI's National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, and contributions from ORC, CODC and LINZ.
Wilding Pine Network is an advocacy and advisory group comprised of organisations and individuals involved in wilding conifer/ wilding pine management and research. The Wilding Pine Network advises the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand/ MPI, on good practice and engagement with communities. They additionally provide advice and support to iwi, community groups, trusts, and anyone who needs help.
In 2016 the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme was established to ensure a collaborative, coordinated and effective approach to national wilding management. The delivery of the programme is led by Biosecurity New Zealand in partnership with regional councils and unitary authorities who coordinate the activities regionally and support a wide range of stakeholder groups and community groups. The Programme is informed by the New Zealand Wilding Conifer Management Strategy 2015-2030 and is supported by central government funding.
The graph below shows the estimated increase across Otago in hectares infested by wilding conifers over the next 20 years if the present management regime continues.
What can you do?
Preventing the spread of wilding conifers is one of the most important actions landowners can take to protect our region’s unique landscapes, primary industry, tourism, and the economy from the impact of wilding conifers.
Which parts of Otago are most infested with wilding conifers?
The western, central and northern areas of the region have various levels of wilding conifer invasion. Many affected areas contain scattered trees, but heavily infested areas exist in western inland locations that are lightly vegetated and lightly grazed. The infestation is somewhat less in the middle areas and increases slightly in the north-east.
Wilding conifers are a significant issue in the Queenstown Lakes district, where dense infestations are associated with historical plantings around settlements, eroding slopes and recreation areas, as well as commercial plantations and woodlots.
Queenstown hill
Coronet Peak
Arrowtown
Kakanui Range
Spread adjacent to Naseby forest
Contorta pine - Source: Weedbusters
Hills southeast of Alexandra
Upper Manuherikia and Hawkduns
Definitions
Land occupier – An occupier is the person who physically occupies the place, the owner of the place and any agent, employee, or other person acting or apparently acting in the general management or control of the place. For example if you are renting a house owned by someone else that does not live on that property, you are the occupier and are responsible for pest management under the pest plan. You can see more about the responsibilities of occupiers (including owners) in section 3.3.1 of the pest plan.
