Close to 100 environmental warriors turned up last Saturday to declare war on privet.
Armed with pruning saws, drills and plenty of human power, the green-fingered enthusiasts dealt to privet in several locations in Raglan – including Greenslade Road, Lorenzen Bay and Robert Street.
Organised by Whāingaroa Weedbusters members Leanne Steel and Sue Wood, the event was made possible by the hard graft of Mormon and local volunteers.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints approached Whāingaroa Weedbusters after visiting the Ihub’s volunteer exhibition last year. They do regular service projects and we’re grateful they chose our group to support,” Leanne says.
Focusing their efforts on mature flowering trees, the group poisoned more than 100 large trees, which will be left to stand and eventually die.
“By targeting the flowering privet, we are getting them before they seed and this makes a bigger impact long-term.”
Leanne says there is a lot of good privet eradication work going on around Raglan, and Whāingaroa Weedbusters is happy to support others wanting to banish the pesky privet in their own backyard.
Contact Whaingaroaweedbusters@gmail.com for more information about pest plants in Whāingaroa.
Privet Control
Privet is a pest in Aotearoa which displaces native plants and trees, and prevents them from growing. The leaves and berries are poisonous to animals and people. It was introduced to New Zealand as ornamental plants and widely grown as hedging in the 1950s.
Pull or dig up seedlings
Cut down smaller trees and paint the stumps with herbicide
Drill holes in the trunk of mature trees and fill them with herbicide
Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible.
Visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/plant-and-animal-pests/privet/ to find out more.
