The native forests of New Zealand are renowned for their pristine grandeur and tranquillity. However, far from being pristine our forests are being radically altered by introduced pest animals and plants. The Key Native Ecosystem programme (KNE) is designed to reduce and maintain introduced pest species to levels that give remnant native habitats a fighting chance, allowing natural ecosystem processes to thrive. The ongoing protection of these native habitats is an invaluable investment in the future of the Wellington region.

Greater Wellington supports the concept of voluntary protection of biodiversity on private property and welcomes enquiries from landowners that would like their native bush remnant, wetland or riparian habitat to be considered for KNE status. The future of our biodiversity is at stake. Together we can conserve it.

A Key Native Ecosystem (or KNE) describes a natural feature on private land that is exceptionally important in terms of its ecological value and/or biodiversity. This is the highest "ranking" available and means that the area is eligible for a higher level of assistance (for example pest control). An area only becomes a Key Native Ecosystem if the landowner agrees.

Normally, eligibility for the Key Native Ecosystems programme is dependent on the area being legally protected by covenant, although there can be rare exceptions.

The control of possums and other pest animals and plants has been undertaken in several KNEs, covering an approximate area of 20 000 ha. Possum control is a priority in these sites, although other pest species are also controlled.  

Since the KNE programme began, there have been improvements in the condition of the bush canopy with prolific flowering and seeding. Tree species such as titoki, ngaio, kohekohe and nikau have responded quickly and a decline in die-back is already evident. Rare native plants such as mistletoe and black orchid have reappeared in bush remnants where possums and rodent densities have been reduced and the number of native birds frequenting residential areas in parts of the Wellington region appears to be increasing.

As part of the KNE programme, possum densities and vegetation recovery are monitored at specific sites. The monitoring programmes are conducted to nationally accepted protocols.

For more information on our KNE programme, you can contact a biosecurity officer at
04 526 5327, 06 378 2484, or email at biodiversity@gw.govt.nz.