Welcome to the Mackenzie Wilding Trust

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The Wilding Free Mackenzie Charitable Trust was set up to tackle the growing threat of wilding pines in the Mackenzie Basin. These invasive trees endanger our unique landscapes, reduce biodiversity, increase fire risk, and deplete groundwater. Watch the video to see the true impact of wilding pines and why urgent action is needed.

"It's not about removing all trees, but about having the right type of tree/vegetation in the right place."

WATER

Wilding pines can reduce groundwater by 30-80%, negatively impacting river flows, lake levels, hydroelectric production, primary industry, and anybody else who irrigates or uses water throughout NZ.

FIRE

Wilding pine species are highly flammable and create significant fire hazard, especially in rural areas where houses and sheds often become surrounded by wilding pine spread

LAND USE

The ways in which we are able to interact with our landscapes are significantly altered when dense stands of wilding pines emerge, rivers dry up and iconic views become obscured. Recreation and tourism opportunities are greatly reduced and productive land uses require more intensive management to eliminate or suppress wilding pines.

BIODIVERSITY

Wilding pines alter our indigenous NZ landscapes so significantly that many of our native species (fauna AND flora) are at risk of extinction. Entire ecosystems are under threat from wilding pines. This is particularly worrying in the face of climate change which requires resilient natural environments to cope with climate extremes.

Working with Local Communities to Raise Awareness of Wilding Pines

Tourists & Operators Fighting Wilding Pines

Turning pedals into purpose! Cycle tourists are joining the war on wilding pines and Seven Sharp was there to capture it.

Support for affected landowners

One of the ways we have supported landowners affected by wilding pines is by offering free native plant propagation workshops. These workshops build knowledge, skills and confidence among locals who are actively removing wildings from their properties and trying to replant with more suitable species.

Volunteer days

One of the ways the Trust aims to promote knowledge of the issues associated with wilding pines is by holding volunteer days. This short video explains what wilding pine volunteer days are all about.

Wilding Free Mackenzie Charitable Trust

Wilding Free Mackenzie is a charitable trust (registered as Mackenzie Basin Wilding Tree Trust) formed in 2016 as a vehicle to promote knowledge about the impact of wilding pines in the Mackenzie Basin. The Trust consists of 8 trustees, and a treasurer/secretary. All are landowners or residents in the Basin. The Trust meets regularly, along with land owners and representatives from the affected government departments; Land Information New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Defence Force; and local government agencies Environment Canterbury, Mackenzie District Council, Waitaki District Council. These bodies all participate in the meetings, collaborate in prioritising and coordinating work, and obtaining funding and resources for dealing with wilding pines on land across the Mackenzie Basin.

We encourage landowners to continue their work on wilding pine control, and to collaborate with their neighbours and Environment Canterbury to achieve widespread control of wilding pines.

Chairman - Ross Ivey

Secretary/Treasurer - mackenziewildings@gmail.com

Trustees - Andrew Simpson, Simon Cameron, George Ormond, Rob Young, Johnny Wigley, Hamish Smith, Marcia Green

Community Coordinator - Haeleigh Turner coordinator@mackenziewildingtrust.org

Wilding Free Mackenzie is proudly supported by...

We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from organisations, volunteers, and our community.

If you’re interested in supporting us—whether by donating gear, providing funding, or contributing through collaborative or in-kind initiatives—we’d love to hear from you!

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