Pest plants, such as ivy 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.
English ivy is a fast-growing, creeping vine with hairless, dark green or green/white leaves. Roots and stems can reach up to 30 metres, strangling and killing host trees, smothering the forest understory and preventing native forest regeneration. Ivy is spread by birds dispersing the seeds as well as by dumping of garden waste, as it can regrow from stems.
 
If you notice English ivy on your property, take action as soon as possible:

• Dig out small infestations, trying to remove all parts of the root system – ivy 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 – can be purchased from most garden centres and hardware stores.
• 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, spray the leaves with 0.5g/L metsulfuron with glyphosate (15ml/L) plus 2 ml/L penetrant. Always wear appropriate personal protection equipment and read the manufacturer’s label for guidelines and recommendations.
• Follow up in three months to reapply herbicide and ensure all regrowth has died.
• 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.
• Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take action too!

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.