New Zealand National Party leader promises to double conservation trust funding

National Party leader Christopher Luxon has pledged to double funding for the Queen Elizabeth QEII Trust, a conservation organization that partners with landowners to protect land through covenants. This commitment, made at a farm in Mangatāwhiri, aims to increase the trust's annual budget from about $4.2 million to $8.5 million if National is re-elected.

While the trust received a temporary funding boost to $5.8 million this year, National's policy would establish a higher, non-time-limited funding level. This increased support, to be confirmed in next year's Budget, would be funded over the four-year forecast period. Luxon highlighted the trust's efficiency, stating that government investment is significantly matched by farmers, providing excellent value for both taxpayers and nature.

“

Every dollar the government puts in, farmers match many times over. It’s great bang for buck for both the taxpayer and nature.

The proposed funding increase is intended to help landowners cover initial costs such as fencing, surveying, and legal work, which can often hinder conservation projects. This policy announcement is anticipated to be a central theme in National's presentation at the upcoming Fieldays event in Mystery Creek, Hamilton, which Luxon is scheduled to attend.

“

More funding will support landowners with upfront costs like fencing, surveying and legal work – costs that can often stop good projects from going ahead.