Print view

Pest plants

Pest plants in the Auckland region

The Auckland region has over 700 introduced plant species which self-propagate in the wild. Many of these are considered weeds and some can cause serious harm to our native environment, be an economic threat to farmers and horticultural producers or threaten human health. These serious weeds are termed 'pest plants' and are subject to control or restrictions under the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS) .
This strategy places requirements on landowners and occupiers to control pest plants to prescribed standards, using suitable control methods.

Why aren't all weeds in the RPMS?

There are some pest plants that are so widely spread through the region that controlling or eradicating them isn't feasible. There are other weeds (particularly annuals) that may be a nuisance but aren't considered a significant threat to our biodiversity.

The Aucland Council carries out site led pest plant control in all regional parks. A ‘Strategic Weeds Initiative' project operates on both a site led and species led basis. Site led projects target buffer zones to regional parks, other high conservation value (HCV) areas and the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Species led projects target weeds such as pampas and wild ginger where they threaten to invade HCV areas.

Pest plants - what can I do?

  • Get to know what plants are a biosecurity risk. To search for a pest plant or to view all pest plants use our on-line Plant search.
  • Control pest plants on your property.
  • Dispose of pest plants safely.
  • Watch out for the spread of new plants.
  • Check out the various initiatives we have for community groups and individual landowners.

Auckand Council's Biosecurity officers can:

  • help you identify pest plants on your property
  • assist you in formulating a pest plant control plan
  • provide advice on different control methods
  • advise or require neighbours to control their pest plants
  • arrange for some low incidence, high threat pest plants to be removed at the council's expense.

For more information contact the Auckland Council Biosecurity Team.

Phone: 09 366 2000 or 0800 80 60 40 (outside of the free calling area)
Email: Biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Continue to Weedbusters