Pest Plants and Weeds

Weeds or pest plants are plant species that have been introduced from overseas, often as garden plants and have adapted to live in the wild. The Bay of Plenty's wild and natural areas and economically important activities can be affected by these invasive weeds known as pest plants.

Where do pest plants come from?

Most of the 300 invasive species that pose a threat to the environment are garden escapes and the weediest places are those nearest towns. Some of today's garden plants are tomorrow's weeds.
Pest plants will establish themselves from discarded seed-heads, clippings or root fragments. They are further dispersed by birds, animals, wind or water movement. Aquatic weeds are often spread between rivers and lakes on boats, trailers or fishing equipment.

How do we manage pest plants?

Regional Pest Management Strategy

Environment Bay of Plenty's Regional Pest Management Strategy provides a framework for the management of serious pest plants and animals with the co-operation of land occupiers. This contributes to the long term management of these pests by reducing densities and preventing their further spread.

National Pest Plant Accord

Many more plants are listed in the National Pest Plant Accord and these are banned from sale, propagation and distribution nationwide.

Care Groups

We support community groups who control pest plants in their local environment.

Environmental Enhancement Fund

The Environmental Enhancement Fund may also provide assistance for pest control by community groups.

Weedbusters

Weedbusters is about working together to reduce the threat of weeds to New Zealand's natural environment.

What can you do?

We need your support to make significant progress in the control of invasive weeds.

You can help by:

• Not growing invasive weeds on your property.
• Disposing of garden waste safely at a transfer station
• Notifying Environment Bay of Plenty of pest plants in your area
• Controlling weeds wherever you can or by taking part in one of the many community initiatives supported by Environment Bay of Plenty

Further information and assistance

If you haven't found the information that you're after already, then try one of these:

• Check out our weed index
• Check out the detailed information in our pest plant fact sheets
• Read Plant Me Instead - which contains lots of alternatives for planting in your garden
• Contact a Pest Plant Officer at Environment Bay of Plenty by calling 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or email us at info@envbop.govt.nz
  

Useful websites

• Weedbusters 
• Department of Conservation 
• Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research 
• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network 
• Biosecurity New Zealand 
• New Zealand Landcare Trust 
• Invasive Species Specialist Group
• National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research