This is a challenging project with thousands of hectares of wilding conifer infestation across multiple landholders and land tenure types. The nature of the mountainous terrain and weather conditions added another layer of complexity. Boffa Miskell provides detailed plans that overcome these difficulties. We oversee the work of a carefully selected panel of contractors and maintain excellent communication with a wide variety of stakeholders. 

Boffa Miskell works closely with the Trust, as well as Environment Southland and the Ministry of Primary Industries. We provide advice on control techniques and strategies, assist with funding bids, promote the control programme, and provide oversight of contractors completing the work. We are closely involved with the development and testing of new control techniques and carry out trials to measure efficacy and efficiency.

Since 2014, we have:

• sprayed over 2,600 hectares of dense wilding trees,
• carried out ground control on 10,000 hectares and
• aerial basil bark spraying over 60,000 hectares. 

Delivering control continues to be a challenge in this environment. A significant boost in government funding from 2020 to 2023 resulted in considerable advances. However, large areas of mature Pinus contorta and P. mugo remain, and we continue working with the Trust to develop an appropriate control programme to maximise delivery on a reduced budget.