The Wilding Pine Network will use new government funding to claw back areas it has almost lost and move into new country such as the Branch Leatham and Upper Clutha.

Network coordinator Jo Ritchie says the sector was about $50 million behind in deferred maintenance because control work has to be repeated several times after the initial knockdown.

“I think we’re holding them at bay, but if we can keep the money at the levels that it’s at now, we will start to win and get ahead,” Ritchie says.

A decision to create a national pest management plan came out of the recent funding announcement.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.