Publications and resources
Below are publications and resources for the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme.
We welcome your feedback on these documents and guides. Please email us at wilding.conifers@mpi.govt.nz
The right tree in the right place: New Zealand Wilding Conifer Management Strategy 2015–2030 (pdf 1.3 MB)
The strategy was developed in response to a 2011 report that despite the collective efforts of central government, local government, and land holders, wilding conifers were still spreading by more than 5 percent each year. If left unchecked, these tree weeds would cover 20 percent of New Zealand by 2030.
This strategy was developed in 2014 and informs today's National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. The Strategy balances the good and bad of conifers - minimising the negative impacts of wilding conifers, while keeping beneficial conifer plantings.
The Strategy was developed by the Ministry for Primary Industries and members of a working group which covered a range of perspectives. This work was done in association with the National Wilding Conifer Management Group.
National Wilding Conifer Control programme - Phase One Evaluation (pdf 1.8 MB)
This evaluation was completed by LITMUS in August 2020 of Phase One of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, covering July 2016-June 2019.
It was endorsed for public release by the Wilding Conifer Governance Group in November 2020.
National Wilding Conifer Control Programme Annual Report 2017/18 (pdf 6.2 MB)
Our Annual Report for 2017/2018.
National Wilding Conifer Control Programme Annual Report 2016/17 (pdf 3.1 MB)
Our Annual Report for 2016/17.
Benefits and Costs of the Wilding Pine Management Programme Phase 2 (pdf 10 MB)
In 2018 MPI commissioned Sapre Research Group to complete a Cost/Benefit analysis for a second phase of the programme. The analysis considers current wilding infestation data and predicts the consequences of leaving wildings to spread uncontrolled, compared to treating and clearing them.
Health Safety and Good Practice Charter (pdf 1.1 MB)
This charter explains how we work together to provide a safe workplace for everyone involved in conifer control.
Wilding Conifers Quick ID Guide (pdf 17 MB)
A field guide for identifying high country wilding conifers.
Aerial Basal Bark Application (ABBA) (pdf 3 MB)
The National Programme is researching control methods and developing guidelines for good practice. These summarise standards expected for safe wilding conifer control.
The ABBA method of wilding conifer control involves chemically ring-barking trees by using a wand to apply herbicide from a helicopter. Dead trees are left standing until they naturally rot away. It is the most efficient way to control scattered wildings in difficult-access areas or within high value vegetation.
(Last updated July 2020)
Aerial Foliar Spray Application (AFSA)
The National Programme is researching control methods and developing guidelines for good practice. These summarise standards expected for safe wilding conifer control.
Aerial spraying by helicopter boom can be a cost-effective way to control large areas of dense wilding conifer infestations.
This Good Practice Guide is currently under review and being updated. We'll post a link to the new guide once it is ready.
Ground-Based Herbicide Injection - 'Drill and Fill' (pdf 848 KB)
The National Programme is researching control methods and developing guidelines for good practice. These summarise standards expected for safe wilding conifer control.
Rather than cutting down large trees, it is often better to drill holes into a tree’s trunk and fill the holes with herbicide. This is a good option on difficult terrain where felling is unsafe.
(Last updated July 2020)
WCIS User Guide (pdf 1.5 MB)
Updated July 2020