We’re excited to team up with Wilding Free Mackenzie once again this year! This amazing charitable trust is dedicated to raising awareness about wilding pines, a serious threat to our local environment.

Following the success of our volunteer day last February, we’re hosting another event on trail on Friday, 14 February 2025. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the wilding pine issue while actively helping to protect our fragile natural landscapes.

Why Remove Wilding Pines?

The tussock grasslands of the Pukaki Flats are among the best remaining examples of indigenous fescue tussock flora in the Mackenzie Basin. This area features unique moraine formations, ephemeral tarns, and wetlands, and is classified as a Critically Endangered Inland Outwash Gravel ecosystem.

Wilding pines are self-sown pine trees that grow where wind-dispersed seeds land, rather than being intentionally planted. These invasive trees pose significant threats, such as:

• Reducing groundwater by 30-80%, which impacts river flows, lake levels, hydroelectric production, and water use across New Zealand.
• Creating severe fire hazards due to their flammability.
• Disrupting native ecosystems, putting many indigenous plants and animals at risk of extinction.

Entire ecosystems are under threat from wilding pines, making their removal critical to preserving New Zealand’s unique landscapes.

📽️ Watch this 3-minute video to learn more about the wilding pine problem and why action is essential!

Volunteer day:

09:30 – Meet at the southwest corner of the Pukaki Flats reserve – an easy and flat 1.8km walk from Twizel town center and shopping area. (KM 2483 on Te Araroa Trail App)

09:40 – Welcome to walkers and volunteers & safety briefing

10:15 – 12:15 – Cutting wilding pines

12:15– BBQ lunch as a thank you!

1:00 – Wrap up

Please wear sturdy, covered footwear (no jandals or sandals) and bring your raincoat, sun hat and drink bottle. Wilding Free Mackenzie will provide all the gear you need. 

RSVP to coordinator@mackenziewildingtrust.org and click ‘Attending’ on the facebook event

We are keen to explore more volunteering opportunities along the trail, so please share any stories or ideas you have!