Ngai Tahu is unhappy that its dairy farm development in Canterbury is being blamed for habitat and biodiversity destruction.
The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand voiced concern this week about the Canterbury Plains becoming a mono-culture.
Canterbury field officer Jen Miller said native vegetation like kanuka is increasingly rare on the plains.
She said less that 0.5% of Canterbury's native vegetation remains.
Ms Miller was critical of a dairy development by Ngai Tahu at Eyrewell saying the clearing of the Eyrewell Forest could lead to the extinction of the Canterbury Plains ground beetle.
She said Ngai Tahu should put the area into a reserve to protect the beetle, which is rated as being at acute risk of extinction.
But Ngai Tahu is appalled at the accusations - it says it's looking to plant 150 hectares of native forest on the farm.
Ngai Tahu Property chief executive Tony Sewell said says Forest & Bird can be reassured about its entry into dairying and that it's committed to valued taonga species.
He says Ngai Tahu is announcing a three year programme of environmental, biodiversity and water quality monitoring on Friday.
It will work with Lincoln University to monitor nitrate leaching and biodiversity.
Mr Sewell said it's an exciting and forward thinking project that will demonstrate the tribal desire of Ngāi Tahu to be leaders in sustainable dairying and to set the bar high, so that Ngāi Tahu values can be meaningfully recognised.
Environment Minister Amy Adams will launch the programme.
