Veteran pest plant contractors farewelled

Veteran Environment Waikato pest plant contractors Colleen and Jeff Jeffery were farewelled at a ceremony at the council meeting in Hamilton on Thursday 26 June.

The pair have been operating for Environment Waikato on the Coromandel since 1998, and before that worked in east Waikato for the council from 1992. Before that they had done extensive pest plant control work for other public organisations.

“Colleen and Jeff have made a great contribution to controlling pest plants in the wider Waikato region for decades,” said council chairman Peter Buckley, who made a presentation to the couple.

“Keeping on top of pest plants is vital work if we want to maintain the health of our environment, including forests, waterways and farmland.”

Colleen and Jeff are taking an extended break before migrating to Australia. Interviews for their replacement are due to be held next week/this week.