The New Zealand government has committed $750,000 to protect the flora and fauna in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park.
This initiative aims to enhance environmental health and support sustainable tourism, particularly near Tauranga.
The funding will be used to eradicate wild goats, which threaten forest regeneration and are potential carriers of kauri dieback disease.
The Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park is home to diverse ecosystems and native species, including kauri trees, making it ecologically significant.
The park offers numerous recreational opportunities, including walking tracks and camping, and the investment will ensure visitors can enjoy its thriving ecosystems.
This project is part of a broader government commitment to conservation tourism, with a $30 million investment announced earlier to boost biodiversity and the tourist economy.
The Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project, managed by the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust, involves collaborative efforts to restore the health of the forests.
This includes pest and predator control, habitat restoration, and community engagement.
The government's efforts aim to protect the precious flora and fauna, ensuring visitors experience the lush ecosystems of Aotearoa New Zealand.