Landowners are facing delays in receiving assistance to conserve valuable native land due to a funding shortfall at the QEII National Trust.
The organization announced that it would have to significantly reduce the number of new covenants it protects across New Zealand starting next month, as the funding from the Department of Conservation’s Jobs for Nature program comes to an end.
One of the landowners affected is Gary Charteris from Makarora, who has safeguarded 30 hectares of pasture, beech forest, and native mistletoe under a QEII covenant to prevent any future development or subdivision.
Charteris emphasized the importance of protecting the land for future generations and ensuring it remains untouched by property developers.
Despite the high demand for new covenants and waitlists in some areas, QEII National Trust chief executive Dan Coup stated that the organization will have to scale back its operations significantly due to a reduction in government funding.
The Trust, which received just over $4.27 million in annual funding, is now facing financial challenges as one of its key funding sources, the Jobs for Nature program, is ending.
Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor expressed his concern over the Trust’s financial situation, calling for increased government funding to support its conservation efforts.
Coup mentioned that the Trust is exploring various options to avoid cutting back on new covenants, including discussions with officials, politicians, and crowdfunding.
While crowdfunding and bequests may not be sufficient to bridge the funding gap, Taylor stressed the need for government support to ensure the Trust can continue its vital conservation work.
In response, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka reaffirmed the government’s support for the Trust’s conservation work and suggested that additional funding could be considered in the future.
As the QEII National Trust grapples with financial challenges, the future of protecting New Zealand’s landscapes and ecosystems hangs in the balance.
