Source: Federated Farmers
A $9.7 million funding boost from the International Visitor Levy will put feral goats and wild deer directly in the crosshairs, Federated Farmers say.
“This is an incredibly positive announcement and exactly the kind of work the International Visitor Levy (IVL) should be funding,” pest management spokesperson Richard Dawkins says.
“New Zealand has a serious pest problem, with wild animals like deer and feral goats costing farmers almost half a billion dollars each year.
“There’s also a significant environmental cost as these pests are doing huge damage not only on farms but throughout our conservation estate.
“Unfortunately, this issue is only getting worse. Pests are totally out of control and they’re breeding fast. We need to get on top of them before it’s too late.”
In 2019, the Government introduced an IVL to fund conservation and infrastructure used for tourism.
The levy raises around $240 million each year, but Dawkins says most Kiwis would be shocked to learn what that money is actually spent on.
“Less than half of that is spent on its intended purpose: $55 million on conservation projects and $35 million on infrastructure projects.
“The remaining funds effectively go back into the general government coffers, diverted and swapped out to cover baseline funding for DOC and MBIE.”
In their list of election priorities, Federated Farmers challenged the Government to commit to investing 100% of IVL funds into its intended purpose.
Earlier this week the organisation released the results of its 2026 National Pests Survey, showing New Zealand’s pest problem has reached crisis point.
“Our survey clearly shows that farmers are spending more money and effort controlling pests – but they’re still going backwards,” Dawkins says.
The survey estimates pests are costing farmers around $466 million a year through direct control costs and lost production.
Two-thirds of farmers now report pest numbers have increased over the past five years, up from around half in 2024.
Farmers are now spending an average $6.18 per hectare each year on pest control, up around 13% in two years.
The survey also shows farmers are eight times more likely to identify forestry or Crown land than another farm as the neighbouring land use making pest control difficult.
Dawkins says that’s precisely why this funding announcement targeting wild goat and deer populations in conservation areas is so significant.
“Farmers are doing their bit on their own land, but we aren’t going to see real progress unless we can get on top of the pest populations in the DOC estate.
“Recreational hunters are a tool, but they alone are not the solution. We’re not going to shoot our way out of this problem one weekend at a time.
“What New Zealand actually needs is for the Government to be taking a much more strategic and coordinated approach to pest management.
“This funding announcement is a great start and will make a meaningful difference, but the time for sitting around and talking deer strategy has passed.
“Now is the time for action with a nationally coordinated pest management strategy that recognises the significant environmental and economic cost of these pests.”