The government has earmarked $7.5 million to help tackle the spread of weeds in lakes around the country.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage announced this morning the funding would be spread over four years to keep invasive weeds at bay in Wanaka.
The funding would support Land Information NZ's work protecting biosecurity and biodiversity in lakes, rivers and lands.
Ms Sage said the funding would double LINZ's annual spend on tackling the spread of aquatic weeds to about $2m.
"I'm pleased that Budget 2019 has delivered LINZ the first increase to baseline funding in 10 years to support its biosecurity and biodiversity programmes," she said.
"Helping ensure lakes are healthy not only makes sense for biodiversity but for the economy too."
Lakes Wakatipu, Dunstan, Aviemore, Wanaka, and several Te Arawa Rotorua lakes are among those set to benefit from the funding.
Ms Sage said the funding would help LINZ, working alongside Boffa Miskell and NIWA, increase surveillance of lake weed, and improve monitoring of methods used to control the spread.