Mistletoe conservation in Wellington
The Department of Conservation has undertaken surveys to determine the status of all mistletoe species in the Wellington region. Host trees supporting red, scarlet and white mistletoes have been banded to protect them from browsing possums.
On the mainland, possum control is undertaken to allow the mistletoes to flower and fruit. White mistletoe, Tupeia antarctica, and leafless mistletoe, Korthalsella salicornioides, grow on possum-free Kapiti Island. Physical and legal protection of land has been undertaken at some key mistletoe sites.
Leafless mistletoe, grows on
possum-free Kapiti Island
Experiments have been undertaken to translocate mistletoes to new sites. This has involved "planting" mistletoe seed on potential hosts. This has been done successfully with red mistletoe and small-flowered mistletoe and may prove to be one way of ensuring mistletoe survival.
The Department of Conservation has prepared a national recovery plan to co-ordinate conservation effort and to ensure the long term survival of mistletoes throughout New Zealand.