PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENThere is a new wave of wilding conifer invasion occurring in Otago and Southland. Some of these are in or near extensive areas of highly vulnerable hill and high country land. Similarly, the wildfire risk from extensive, highly-combustible conifer forests would affect not only landholders but also whole rural and urban communities. At present the highly successful wilding control programmes operating in Otago and Southland are severely restricted by lack of funding. Ultimately managing the next wave of wilding invasion is in the hands of our law-makers.