Stemming the spread
Working side by side with local communities, Te Ara Hīkoi supports the removal of invasive pest plants and helps bring back native habitats across southern Auckland and northern Waikato.
Tackling invasive pest plants
Invasive pest plants can quickly overwhelm native ecosystems, smother young trees, reduce biodiversity, and degrade waterways, wetlands and coastal habitats. Effective pest plant control is an essential part of restoring healthy, resilient landscapes.
Te Ara Hīkoi supports communities, volunteers and landowners with practical advice, resources and coordinated action to reduce the spread of priority pest plants across southern Auckland and northern Waikato.
Our support includes:
Seasonal weed control programmes and community working bees.
Identification guides to help recognise priority pest plants.
Advice on tackling the worst weeds first for the greatest impact.
Volunteer weed-busting events and training opportunities.
Practical support for landowners, lifestyle blocks and community restoration projects.
Together, we can restore native habitats, improve biodiversity, and create healthier environments for generations to come.
Why pest plant control matters
Pest plants are one of the biggest threats to the health and resilience of Aotearoa's native ecosystems. Many introduced species spread aggressively, outcompeting native plants for light, water and nutrients, and altering the natural structure of our forests, wetlands, dunes and waterways.
Left unmanaged, invasive weeds can smother native vegetation, prevent forest regeneration, reduce habitat for native wildlife, and make our ecosystems more vulnerable to erosion, fire and climate pressures. They also create ongoing challenges for landowners and increase the cost and effort required to restore natural areas.
By working together to identify, control and prevent the spread of pest plants, we're giving native ecosystems the space to regenerate naturally. Every weed removed helps create healthier habitats where native plants, birds, insects and other wildlife can thrive, building more resilient landscapes for future generations.
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini"
"My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective"
Te Ara Hīkoi empowers communities across Franklin to protect and restore nature through predator control, habitat restoration, pest plant management, and conservation education.
