This week, Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust provided an update to Environment Southland in its 20th anniversary year.

“However, it is unfortunately not something to celebrate when the project is still grossly underfunded both locally and nationally,” a report for the meeting warned.

The report said almost $25 million had been spent containing contorta in Mid Dome – located between Invercargill and Queenstown – but there was a risk the investment would be lost without adequate funding going forward.

Trust chair Ali Ballantine said national and local level funding was up and down, and called on consistent funding from council so her group could get on with the job.

Douglas-fir wildings were also arriving in the Mid Dome area, but the trust was only addressing those with contractors on a limited basis given their mandate was for pinus contorta and mugo.

Council team leader Jolie Hazley showed contorta numbers had reduced in Southland, but described Douglas-fir as “pouring” into places such as the Takitimu and Eyre Mountains, plus Mid Dome.

At West Dome, the battle against contorta had effectively been won, only for Douglas-fir to grow out through mānuka, she said.

Councillor Paul Evans also highlighted issues with wilding trees in places such as Te Anau, Lake Onslow and Wilderness Scientific Reserve.

Wilding conifers are described by DOC as invasive weeds which can form dense forests that negatively impact ecosystems. They can alter landscapes, eat into farmland and use up water.

A report on the issue is expected to be brought back to an Environment Southland committee in May.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.