Pest plants, such as jasmine and moth plant, are invading Auckland’s North Shore – your gardens and your nearby bush reserves. Controlling them when they are small is easy and cheap. If they are left to grow, they can spread across your property onto your neighbours’ gardens and to nearby reserves.

Auckland Council has recently introduced new rules that require people in some areas to remove some pest plants from their property, in order to protect our native biodiversity.
Although many people love the smell of this climbing vine, it is a problem for our native biodiversity. It is capable of out-competing and shading out native seedlings and it eventually creates thick mats throughout the understory of indigenous forests and prohibits natural regeneration. Jasmine is mainly spread by fragments dumped in green waste that quickly grow into large infestations. It usually flowers around springtime and it's best to start controlling it before it flowers.
 
If you notice jasmine on your property, take action as soon as possible:

• Dig out small infestations, trying to remove all parts of the root system – jasmine can regrow from stem fragments that are left in the ground.
• Hand release off native trees where possible. Make a cut at the base of the stem and apply a thin film of  Met Gel to both ends of the cut stem.
• Large vines can be left on the tree after applying Met Gel to both ends of the cut stem.
• For large infestations and ground cover, foliar spray with 0.5g/L metsulfuron +15ml/L Glyphosate + penetrant. Always wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) and read the manufacturer’s label for guidelines and recommendations. It's best to spray just before it starts flowering. Get more guidance from your local environmental group listed here.
• Follow up in three months to reapply herbicide and ensure all regrowth has died (mature jasmine infestations usually need multiple applications).
• Dispose of any seeds, roots and stem fragments in your rubbish bin to go to landfill, securely tied inside a plastic bag – to stop it spreading to other areas.
• Stop pest plants invading again by replanting with non-pest plants (preferably native plants) once regrowth is no longer a problem.
• For more information and guidance on weed control, you can download the Forest and Bird weed control guide.

There are several environmental networks across Auckland’s North Shore that support communities to recognise, report and remove pest plants and restore our native wildlife.

East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast, Restore Hibiscus & Bays    
info@restorehb.org.nz, restorehb.org.nz/resources-pest-plants/
Facebook.com/RestoreHB

Kaipātiki,  Pest Free Kaipātiki (PFK), enquiries@pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz
https://www.pfk.org.nz/pest-plant-resources  
Facebook.com/pestfreekaipatiki/

Takapuna, Pupuke Birdsong Project, enviro@takapunatrust.org.nz         
Facebook.com/pupukebirdsongproject

Devonport Peninsula, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki
pestfreedevonport@gmail.com,
Facebook.com/restoringtakarungahauraki/

Upper Harbour, Upper Waitematā Ecology Network (UWEN)    
info@upperharbourecologynetwork.org
Facebook.com/upperwaitemataecologynetwork

For advice on chemical-free alternatives, Kaipātiki Project    
community@kaipatiki.org.nz    
kaipatiki.org.nz
Facebook.com/kaipatikiproject

This monthly feature is a collaborative initiative between Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network and Kaipātiki Project. Building on Te Ao Māori principles of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, these environmental networks bring our communities together to foster guardianship, care and respect towards our whenua, natural world and indigenous wildlife.