$3m from Visitor Levy for wilding control in 2025/26

On 31 July 2025 the Ministers for Biosecurity and Conservation jointly announced that $3 million from International Visitor Levy funds (collected from visitors during 2024/25) has been allocated to control wilding pines in two unique high-country landscapes – the Mackenzie Basin (Canterbury) and Molesworth Recreation Reserve (South Marlborough).

The announcement highlighted the significant costs of fast-spreading species like Pinus contorta - particularly on grazing land – as well as the loss of native biodiversity, iconic scenery, and the risk of fuelling wildfires. All of these impact on the views visitors come here to see, and the tourism-reliant businesses operating in this area. 

This extra operational funding will help maintain the progress made in many areas, and get some delayed operations back on track. This is the third year that International Visitor Levy funding has been received by the Programme, building on contributions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.

IVL-funded control operations in 2025-26 will significantly slow the spread of Pinus contorta / Lodgepole pine and other species in South Marlborough and across the Mackenzie Basin, in popular areas like the Ohau Moraines near Lake Ohau village.  

Wildings threaten to change and obscure this view, looking towards the Diadem range, known for its native tussock grasslands, native broom and manuka:

Wilding conifers in the Mackenzie Basin, near Ben Ohau looking towards the Diadem Range. Pinus contorta has previously been controlled here and the tussock landscape is doing well. Follow up work is needed to remove new young trees before they cone, and must continue for a few years until no further seeds are left to germinate Image: Boffa Miskell

Tussock covered hills in the Alma Tarndale area of Molesworth Recreation Reserve in southern Marlborough (Alma River in foreground) turning green with wilding Pinus sylvestris / Scots pine. IVL-funded control operations will reduce this infestation, preserving the natural landscape. Image: Boffa Miskell

The Saxton Severn area is a special part of the iconic landscape of Molesworth Recreation Reserve and Molesworth Station. This is at early stages of wilding conifer infestation with Pinus contorta / Lodgepole pine and would quickly be overtaken if allowed - IVL funding will deliver important early control here to protect it.

Previous news stories related to International Visitor Levy

February 2025 International Visitor Levy to support conservation tourism 

October 2023 another $7m for wilding control and What a difference $7m made