Exotic pines threatening NZ ecosystem

The rapid spread of exotic pine trees into New Zealand's backcountry is threatening native plants and delicate ecosystems, reports Radio New Zealand.

The fight against wilding conifer pine trees is costing DOC, local councils and volunteers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, said Radio New Zealand.

Colin Day, a volunteer who helps remove the conifers using community funds, told the broadcaster it was time for the Government to step in and help:

"I would like to see central government take more of stand and support wilding tree control," Mr Day said.

Nike Ledgard from the Crown Research Institute, Scion, told Radio New Zealand that a national eradication plan would be a far more effective way of dealing with the tree.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, has also called for the Government to bear more of the burden.

"It's really a strategic problem for New Zealand. I did make a recommendation that the Government need to spend a great deal more money on it."

DOC funding on conifer control went up from $500,000 in 2004 to $2.5 million in 2009, reported Radio New Zealand, but Ms Wright said more needed to be done.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said the ministry was still developing a strategy to combat the conifers.

- NZ Herald staff