11 Aug 2026
2 months ago
542 views
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a new $1 million, two-year community funding programme to support grassroots wilding pine control projects, supplementing a $109 million national investment over three years. Wilding pines threaten farmland, water supplies, native biodiversity, and increase wildfire risks, making both national coordination and local action essential. Expressions of interest for the funding will open later this year to empower volunteers, landowners, and community groups in controlling infestations.
01 Aug 2026
2 months ago
686 views
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager urges Kiwis to participate in the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition to help control wild goat populations and protect New Zealand’s native landscapes. Since its 2023 launch, the competition has removed over 33,000 goats and encourages conservation through hunter-led efforts, offering prizes and involving hunters of all ages. Running from August to November 2026, the event is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, landowners, and sponsors.
10 Jun 2026
4 months ago
799 views
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka emphasize that greater land use flexibility enables whenua Māori landowners to enhance productivity and environmental outcomes. The Government is investing $2.6 million in a project with Te Arawa Primary Sector Incorporated to help Māori landowners optimize farm production, increase profitability by 10-30%, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5-25%. This initiative aims to support farmers and growers through regulatory reform, innovation, and data sharing, strengthening New Zealand's primary industries and rural communities.
29 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1213 views
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard supports a recent 50-hectare controlled burn of wilding conifers in Central Otago as a strategy to combat the invasive weeds and make land usable again. The burn, monitored by Scion Group, is part of ongoing research by the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. The objective is to destroy wilding seeds and reduce the need for future control efforts, with post-burn monitoring to assess effectiveness.
22 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1537 views
The passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill will expedite critical infrastructure projects, aiming to address New Zealand's infrastructure deficit by streamlining land acquisition processes. The new accelerated process offers incentives and recognition payments to landowners, while also introducing a faster objections resolution mechanism. The Government plans to further modernize the Public Works Act to improve landowner engagement, disaster recovery support, and overall efficiency in delivering public infrastructure projects.