Our advocacy efforts continue to gain strong traction both regionally and nationally.

Growing recognition of Trusts work – the Wilding Pine Network (WPN) and central government agencies have acknowledged the Trust’s leadership in advocating for practical, long-term wilding control funding.

Ministerial engagement – Following on from the Minister for Biosecurity’s visit in April 2025,  Hon Tama Potaka Minister of Conservation and Stuart Smith MP joined John Oswald and trustees on the 30th October – watch their message here (link)

Green MPs – We had a very successful trip to the Molesworth with Green MP’s Steve Abel and Scott Willis. The field trip included Awatere Valley and up onto the Shingly Range at the head of the Awatere. After discussions at Molesworth we looked at the increasing infestations as we drove to Tarndale. The overnight stay at Tarndale allowed us to be in the landscape and feel the enormity of the wilding pine pressure from the Branch Leatham and, the Alma Tarndale as well as the Clarence/Hanmer. Their drive down the Clarence to Hanmer cemented this reality.

Raising profile through media nationally – John Oswald and Steve Satterthwaite featured on TVNZ’s Q+A following Steve raising the wildings threat from the Branch Leatham in the Muller Station Country Calendar.   

• Click here to watch Q + A

• Click here to watch Country Calendar – Muller Station

  Meeting with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment – Trustees met with Simon Upton to discuss wilding pine impacts across the Awatere, Clarence and Tarndale. He visited these areas as the guest of the High Country Accord.

  Challenging MPI’s Health & Safety proposals – Concerns remain around MPI’s increasingly stringent H&S requirements, which risk creating barriers for small operators and community trusts. We are working with Wilding Pine Network, MDC, and elected representatives to ensure these requirements remain practical and achievable.

Funding & Financial Position

The Trust has successfully secured a $195,000 multi year grant from the Rātā Foundation as well as $10,000 for our volunteer work from the Top of the South Community Foundation. We’re extremely grateful for their support.

Operational Progress

All contracted operational work for the year was successfully completed, including: Branch/Leatham (Rātā-funded), Awatere Tone to Ring Creek (DOC-funded), Ned/Te Hau (MDC & landowner SNA agreements)

The Trust’s spatial GPS data has been shared with MDC to inform regional strategic mapping.

Partnerships & Agency Collaboration

DOC acknowledged the Trust’s fast turnaround of work in the Awatere, and indicated an intention to seek further funds for Tone catchment control.

MDC and MPI are each funding half of the $100k Awatere work programme which will be undertaken by the Trust early in 2026. Early completion puts Marlborough in a good position to maximise potential national underspend allocations from the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme.

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS

Volunteers continue to make an essential contribution—both public groups and corporate partners. We have seen an increase in the number of volunteer website sign-ups in response to our raised profile.

Back Country Week – 16–21 November (Lost Valley, Upper Branch)

14 people in total joined SMLRT pulling, chopping, sawing and poisoning 11,157 wilding pines– an incredible effort. Here is a link to the full report - Link to google drive doc.

Hear from Andy from Christchurch who has come back for the 3rd year running: Youtube link to video)

Below image: The Lost Crew 2025 - Joining forces from the regions, Christchurch, Marlborough, Wellington and Tasman!

THANK YOU

Branch / Leatham: A long-term goal remains to bring the Branch/Leatham catchments into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, based on the trust’s 10 year plan an additional $10 million per year for more than 20 years is needed. MDC recently supported this approach by adding $12million/year into their assessment of the required funding to the MDC Environment Committee – RNZ posted a good article – Wilding Pines threaten Kaikoura ranges in ‘looming catastrophe’ (link)

Awatere: The Trust’s work here has received strong praise from DOC and is a priority due to the potential for the Tone catchment and other catchments along the Inland Kaikoura Range becoming a major seed source for contorta pine.

Molesworth: The station has secured approx. $2.4m from the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and a range of partners, including the International Visitor Levy (IVL). The region-wide funding gap remains significant.

TheTrust continues to play an active role in the Molesworth Operational and Technical Advisory Group (MOTAG). The two iwi seats on the MOTAG provides opportunities for the Trust to engage with the iwi within South Marlborough.

East Coast / Kekerengu: A dedicated MTB (Mountain Bike) volunteer group has supported the local community group, ECCO, to consistently and successfully remove thousands of wildings. With the support the resident-led prevention is making a difference.

The volunteer-led project at Kekerengu has now cleared 6,900 wilding pines over four years, demonstrating the power of consistent community effort.