Conservation Minister Tama Potaka was joined by Rangitata MP James Meager last week in the Rakaia Gorge, to announce $4.5m of new funding for the QEII National Trust over the next three years.
Areas with a QEII covenant on them in Mid Canterbury include the Harris Scientific Reserve at Winslow, Riverbridge Conservation Park at Lagmhor, Staveley Campsite and Forest at Staveley, and Ben Todhunter and Donna Fields Rakaia Island Farms.
Before the announcement, made as part of the National Party’s Bluegreens conference in Methven, the trust faced restricting the number of new areas it protected, with just $4.3m per year in funding.
Potaka said the increase would mean an extra $1.5 million a year over the next three years.
In the past 50 years the trust had worked to protect 187,000ha in 5200 covenanted areas.
‘‘The funds are an acknowledgement of the trust’s effective record at protecting special areas of bush, wetland, and biodiversity for future generations as well as increased demand for their partnerships,’’ he said.
‘‘Many of our most at-risk plants and animals are found on private land. Landowners provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts through additional planting, pest control, and fencing work.’’
Meager said the trust did an amazing job protecting now almost 200,000ha of private land across New Zealand.
‘‘We are very proud to support their work with funding from the International Visitor Levy fund,’’ Meager said.
Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst said in a statement the funding boost was a win for farmers and the environment.
‘‘When it comes to environmental bang for your taxpayer buck, I can’t think of a better investment than the QEII trust.’’
