14-16 October, Twizel Events Centre
This year’s conference theme is Innovation
Registrations are NOW OPEN for the 2025 Wilding Pine Conference – a partnership between the Wilding Pine Network and Biosecurity New Zealand.
View full event programme Buy tickets nowProgramme Overview
DAY 1 – Tue 14 October
08:00 to 16:15 – Presentations at Twizel Events Centre.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided.
DAY 2 – Wed 15 October
09:00 to 16:00 – Field trips
All field trips include a packed lunch and transport.
Field trips will leave from and return to Twizel Events Centre.
18:00 to 22:00 – Conference Dinner
Sit-down, buffet style dinner at Poppies Cafe and Restaurant.
DAY 3 – Thu 16 October
08:30 to 15:00 – Presentations at Twizel Events Centre.
Morning tea and lunch are provided.
Info for Speakers
Speakers must submit powerpoint presentations by 30 September to a dropbox link which will be emailed to you.
Info for Sponsors
An excellent opportunity to sponsor this conference and profile your organisation to a diverse group of stakeholders.
Sponsorship OptionsField Trip Options
This year we have a selection of two fantastic field trips to choose from:
Field Trip 1
Mt Cook Road Stations
4WD vehicles will take you around Ferintosh, Glentanner and Pukaki Downs stations. * Designated drivers (you know who you are) do not need to register here.
At Ferintosh Station learn from Robin Pieper (Environment Canterbury) about the various work types, challenges and successes of tackling one of the largest contorta seed sources under management in the National Programme. Learn from local DOC staff Adriana Theobald about the efforts, challenges, opportunities and constraints around wilding pine control on Public Conservation Land in the Mackenzie. Visit the picturesque Glentanner Station to soak up the views of Aoraki Mt Cook and hear from Wilding Free Mackenzie (WFM) chairman Ross Ivey about the wilding pine management challenges across multiple land tenures on the doorstep of Mt Cook National Park. Stop in at Pukaki Downs Station on the way back to Twizel to learn about the Biofuel plant established in partnership with Pioneer Energy to deal with wilding pines.
*Please bring sturdy boots, outdoor clothing and a hi-viz vest, and be prepared for some short walks on various terrain with uneven footing during this field trip.
Field Trip 2
Takapō/Tekapo and surrounds
This field trip is jam packed full of interesting talks from a range of speakers on various wilding pine topics across several locations. You will first visit the Irishman/Wolds Conservation Area to learn about the challenges of controlling wilding pines on both private land and public conservation land under heavy seed rain from major seed sources visible across Lake Pukaki. Continuing to Takapō you will hear about the complexities, challenges and successes of the phased removal of wilding pines and revegetation of the Takapō Regional Park. Lunch will be enjoyed at the summit of Mt John where 360 views provide the perfect vantage point to see and hear about the unique challenges and solutions to managing wilding pines on defence land at the Tekapo Military Camp, and an update of the Godley Management Unit Transition Pilot. The final stop will have you up close with a 6-year-old Pinus attenuata plantation to learn about the pros and cons of this low-spread-risk species.
Speakers on this trip include Richard Langley (Environment Canterbury) Rob Young and Andrew Simpson (Wilding Free Mackenzie) Department of Conservation, Julia Mackenzie (Braemar Station) Michal Kocis (NZDF) Mike McMillan (Arowhenua) Felicity McMillan (Arowhenua Native Nursery and Restoration) and the Environment Canterbury parks team.
Conference Dinner
Dinner is optional but attendance is highly encouraged.
On day two, after the field trips. Randomly seated at tables at Poppies Cafe with a buffet style dinner featuring local Wagyu beef and salmon, salads and dessert. Water will be provided. Alcoholic beverages will be by way of a cash bar.
Conference Location
The conference venue is the Twizel Events Centre, just next to the main shopping centre in Twizel. You may be able to find suitable accommodation within walking distance. If required, parking is accessible off Mackenzie Drive and is free.
The dinner will be held at Poppies Cafe and Restaurant, 1 Benmore Place, Twizel, just 1km from the Events Centre.
Please be assured we appreciate the costs of travel and accommodation and always strive to keep the costs down as much as possible to remain affordable for everyone. Our aim as a non-profit organisation is only to break even. Please note that due to the distance of Twizel from major airports we recommend that if you come for the whole conference, you stay over in Twizel on the 13th and 16th too, if possible.
Twizel Events Centre
Accommodation
To find accommodation close by and in your price range, please check these popular booking sites:
Travel to Twizel
Christchurch airport (3.5hrs drive) and Queenstown airport (2.5 hours) are the closest airports. Both airports are serviced by a range of rental car companies. We suggest you get a group together and share a rental – consider a minivan for larger groups.
Buy tickets
Ticket sales close on the 30th of September 2025.
We would like to thank our sponsors:
Biosecurity New Zealand – Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Biosecurity NZ through MPI coordinate the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. They collaborate with a diverse range of partners that undertake wilding conifer management around New Zealand from landowners and land managers, agencies, iwi and community groups, research providers, industry and suppliers.
Boffa Miskell
Boffa Miskell is a leading NZ environmental consultancy with offices around New Zealand. They undertake a diverse range of work in the fields of biosecurity and ecology. They manage several wilding contracts and are a long-standing supporter of the national wilding pine conference.
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Scion is a group of the NZ Institute for Bioeconomy Science and focuses on several key areas including research and forestry. They play a key role in the wilding space as a science and research adviser and provider, and we appreciate their support as a conference sponsor.
SPS Automation
SPS Automation is a leading-edge Christchurch-based research and development company specialising in tailored airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems. One of their main specialties is precision spot spraying of wilding pines using drone technology.
Agpro NZ
Agpro has been serving the NZ market for over 30 years and is a long standing and well recognised supplier of a wide range of products including agricultural herbicides and adjuvants across New Zealand. They are a strong supporter of wilding pine control and management.
Thyme Hill
Thyme Hill is a small, family-owned winery near Alexandra, and the only Merlot growers in Central Otago. Owner Inge Diks aspires to produce wine which pays tribute to the unique landscape within which Thyme Hill is located; a vast and rugged landscape punctuated by rocky schist outcrops and blankets of purple thyme; a landscape so vulnerable to infestation by wilding pines. Inge also chairs the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group. We are grateful for her support as a conference sponsor!
Tipping Point Wines
Iconic kiwi chef Al Brown’s wine range which celebrates New Zealand’s regions and supports several not-for-profit organisations, including our very own Wilding Free Mackenzie, with its delicious Pinot Noir varietal, ‘The Woodsman’. Al Brown actively uses his public profile to advocate in support of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme whenever he can.
Zolve Environmental
Zolve Environmental is a small, but highly regarded environmental consultancy based in Timaru, South Canterbury. They deliver comprehensive wilding conifer project management across a diverse range of land tenures and play an integral role in the delivery of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme in Canterbury.
Mainland Vector Contracting
Mainland Vector is a Twizel-based contracting company delivering a range of pest control services to protect environments across New Zealand. They deliver a significant amount of ground-based wilding pine control across the South Island each year and regularly assist in the delivery of wilding pine volunteer days in the Mackenzie Basin.
Environment Canterbury
Environment Canterbury (ECAN) is the regional council for Canterbury and the authority which holds responsibility for planning, coordinating and delivering the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme in the Canterbury region on behalf of Biosecurity NZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Pure Oil New Zealand is the country’s leading oilseed producer and manufacturer of quality oilseed products and brands. We have over 80 dedicated Grower Suppliers in the South Island who we share a commitment to sustainable farming practices.