Weed Control

A weed is a plant growing where it isn't wanted. The Far North's warm, subtropical climate allows many invasive plants to thrive, some of which can spread rapidly, threaten native species and damage the environment. Particularly harmful weeds may be classified as pest plants.

Invasive pest plants can smother native vegetation, damage waterways and farmland, and threaten the Far North's unique biodiversity. Managing their spread helps protect our environment for future generations.

Responsibility for weed control in the Far North depends on the type of weed and where it is growing:

• Northland Regional Council (NRC) is the lead agency responsible for managing designated pest plants across the Far North under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This includes monitoring, advice, enforcement and pest plant control programmes.

• Far North District Council (FNDC) is responsible for managing weeds and vegetation on land it manages, including council parks, reserves and certain roadsides. FNDC does not lead regional pest plant management.

• Private landowners and occupiers are generally responsible for managing weeds on their properties and complying with any relevant pest management rules.

• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) leads the National Interest Pest Responses (NIPR) programme, targeting nine particularly harmful pest plants nationally. Four of these – cape tulip, Manchurian wild rice, salvinia and water hyacinth – have been recorded in Northland.

NRC's approach depends on the plant species, its location and how widely it has spread. NRC may directly control or eradicate serious pest plants, while landowners may be required to manage others to prevent their spread.

NRC has identified 80 plants as serious enough for inclusion in Northland's pest management plan. These include:

• African feather grass

• Bathurst bur

• Gorse

• Lantana

• Nassella tussock

• Privet

• Spartina

• Wild ginger

• Various aquatic weeds and forest-invading plants

You can help by identifying and controlling weeds on your property and reporting suspected serious pest plant infestations.

For advice on identifying, managing or reporting pest plants, visit the Northland Regional Council Pest Control Hub.

If you suspect you've found a national-interest pest plant, report it to MPI on 0800 80 99 66.