Climbing weeds threaten our native bush

Unwanted botanical visitors could strangle and smother native bush areas within the region if they are not kept in check says Greater Wellington Regional Council biosecurity officer Ben Winder.

“We are very lucky in the Wellington region as bush areas are never that far away from us. Whether it is a small remnant or the Tararua Ranges, the threat introduced weeds pose is very real.”

“The remaining bush that we have needs to be protected. Having native bush nearby, gives the landscape character and is home to many of the native birds that visit our gardens.”

But our native bush is under threat from pest plants that have the potential to climb, spread and smother trees, says Mr Winder.

“Greater Wellington is targeting two climbers that have the potential to do this – blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) and moth plant (Araujia sericifera).”

“No one wants to see our bush destroyed by these weeds. We need your help to make sure this doesn’t happen,” says Mr Winder.

If you suspect you have seen these plants anywhere in the region, please contact us and we’ll come and have a look and remove them free of charge.

Phone Greater Wellington Regional Council on 0800 496 734. Alternatively email pest.plants@gw.govt.nz or check out the pest plant pages at www.gw.govt.nz for a full list of plants targeted.