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Pest Free - Pest Plants
Our Pest Plant Problem
In 2017, Auckland was labelled the weediest city in the world. A number of plants that arrived from overseas have become invasive due to our rich soil and temperate climate. These plants have snuck into reserves and native areas, stopping native seeds from germinating and killing mature trees by smothering or out-competing them.
If we don't protect our native plant species from weeds, they'll never be able to provide all of their many benefits back to the environment, such as shade, improved soil health, flood mitigation, water filtration and the natural habitats and food sources of our native wildlife. The fight against pest plants is crucial to the successful regeneration of our native ecosystems. Let's protect our precious biodiversity together!
Examples of Pest Plants:
Identify Your Plants
To effectively control your pest plants, you first need to know what you're dealing with. There are many resources to help you with identification:
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Email images to our pest free activator at pestfree@beautification.org.nz to help identify your pest plant
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Download the iNaturalist app which allows you to share photos with others to confirm your identification
Find the Best Plant Control Methods
It’s important to find out the best way to control and dispose of pest plants, as they respond differently to various methods and poisons. Make sure that you are using the right eradication method! Search your plant on the Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau website for the most up to date information on effective control.
Our Role
Pest Free South Auckland
The Beautification Trust is part of Pest Free South Auckland, a group of three organisations engaging South Auckland communities in the fight against invasives that threaten our environment.
In addition to our work with predator animal trapping, Pest Free South Auckland run the annual Moth Plant Competition, run community events and support community with advice and resources to tackle pest plants, both in their backyards and on public land.
Papakura Stream Halo Project
The Papakura Stream Halo Project aims to support the restoration of this special awa through managing pest plant species in and around the lower stream in a halo area.
We host public weeding bee events, work with commercial businesses and engage local volunteers to remove pest plants in the halo.
This project is in it's first year, and we are on the lookout for more enthusiastic volunteers to get stuck in helping us protect the regenerating natives along this stream.
Get involved
Volunteer
Want to spend time outside, meet others and contribute to your local environment?
Sign up as a pest plant volunteer to hear about upcoming events, tackle pest plants in our Halo area or get weeding in local parks and reserves in Manurewa or Papakura.
Moth plant is a vine that smothers native plants and pops up in yards all across Auckland. Each year it flowers and produces pods that look like the choko vegetable. But don't mistake them! These moth pods are poisonous and sap from the plants can irritate the skin. Each pod produces thousands of dandelion-like seeds which can fly kilometres away in the wind and grow in a new place.
The competition runs from Monday 2 March to Friday 8 May 2026 and is open to individuals, groups and schools/ECE's. Cash prizes of up to $1,000 to be won!
In 2025, participants across South Auckland collected 168,925 moth pods, which stopped approximatly 118 million seeds from spreading!
Register now for 2026 or find out more information by emailing pfsa@otarawaterways.org.nz or staying updated on the Pest Free South Auckland Facebook page.
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Upcoming Events
Papakura Stream Giveback Day!Sat, 02 May33 Holmes Road
Our partners
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