Rangikapiti Weedbusters are Winning!

Weed Victory a Step Closer for Embattled

Far North Reserve.

11th March 2011

Sweat and tears are finally paying dividends for a team of Weedbusters in the Far North. Native seedlings are beginning to flourish as acres of invasive weeds are removed by Friends of Rangikapiti Reserve, a small group of local volunteers and supporters, determined to win the war on weeds at the iconic reserve between Coopers Beach and Mangonui. Aside from bone seed, woolley night shade and gorse, Chairperson of Friends of Rangikapiti Reserve, Alison Stanes, says when the group began five years ago, the native nursery plants under the regenerating manuka/ kanuka forest were being completely smothered by asparagus scandens, an aggressive garden escapee.

"As a result when the upper forest trees die of old age there would be nothing underneath but weeds", explains Alison. But as a result of securing generous funding from the ASB Community Trust, the group have been able to pay Guy Forbes of Town and General Vegetation Control to deal to the asparagus scandens. "This has made an unbelievable difference to the site. There is plenty of native seed source on the site and new growth is already evident. On patches of open ground we will help the birds by casting locally sourced seeds; mahoe, kanuka, pittosporum umbalatum, karaka, cabbage,whau, kanuka, manuka, and kohekohe". With progressive spraying by contractors, the restoration project is well underway although it will be a few more years before it is complete, and this will have to be followed by continued vigilant maintenance.       Pictured: Zeta and Graeme of T & G Vegetation Control

As well as saving the forest on Rangikapiti, the Friends of Rangikapiti Reserve aim to prevent asparagus scandens from spreading over to the Hihi block where Whakaangi Landcare Trust manage North Island Brown kiwi.

The Friends of Rangikapiti project is an excellent example of a small band of determined volunteers making a big difference. Anyone interested in helping with the project can contact Friends of Rangikapiti Reserve on PO Box 92 Mangonui or phone Alison on 09 5240291.

As most of the weeds the group are fighting are garden escapes, the community can also help by being careful how they dispose of garden waste. "People think its ok to put garden waste in the bush as its plant material and will break down. But in reality, many of the plants actually establish themselves and then slowly choke out the native plants. Placing weeds in a plastic bag or on concrete to dry out and die, and composting is a great way to stop them spreading," suggests Alison.