We pay landowners to plant pine. We should pay them to plant natives too – Dr Erik van Eyndhoven

Dr. Erik van Eyndhoven, the country lead for The Nature Conservancy Aotearoa New Zealand, argues for a shift in land management incentives, proposing that landowners should be financially rewarded for planting native trees, just as they are for establishing pine plantations.

Van Eyndhoven points to successful examples in the Moutere catchment in Tasman, where over 200 landowners have actively engaged in ecological restoration. These efforts include fencing off areas, creating wetlands, and reintroducing native flora on what were previously agricultural lands. The article features the Easton family, who transformed a former orchard into a thriving wetland and native bush area.

The opinion piece suggests that current policies predominantly favor commercial forestry, such as pine plantations, often overlooking the ecological and long-term environmental benefits of native vegetation. By offering comparable incentives for native plantings, the Conservancy believes more landowners would be motivated to contribute to biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration.

This approach aims to encourage a broader range of land-use practices that support New Zealand's natural heritage. The Nature Conservancy advocates for policy adjustments that recognize the value of native ecosystems, not just for their aesthetic or environmental qualities, but also for their role in supporting local wildlife and improving water quality.