Pest plants threaten our region’s native plants, for example, in our forests and wetlands. Many are also a nuisance to farmers, in suburban gardens and may cause health problems in some people. It’s important we control pest plants and stop them from spreading.
On this page: pest plants in the Waikato region, contact your pest plant contractor or staff, Weedbusters, biocontrol to control pest plants, publications, related websites
Pest plants in the Waikato region
Find out about pest plants in the Waikato region, how to recognise them and check out our rules and tips for control.
Containment pest plants (occupier control)
Eradication pest plants (Waikato Regional Council control)
If these pest plants are seen please call 0800 BIOSECURITY for a biosecurity officer to take action.
Potential pest plants (no strategy rule requiring the land occupier to control these pest plants)
These are pest plants of concern to the region:
- Chilean rhubarb
- sagittaria (factsheet )
- bushy asparagus, California bulrush, Chilean flame creeper, Chilean rhubarb, Chocolate vine, Freshwater eel grass, Fringed water lily, hawkweed, horse nettle, horsetail, hydrilla, Kudzu vine, marshwort, Mexican water lily, monkey apple tree, purple loosestrife, reed sweetgrass, saltwater paspalum, rhododendron ponticum, sagittaria and water poppy - see our Regional Pest Management Strategy.
Information on didymo and farm weeds.
For more information on the complete list of all plant pests check out the Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS) or for brief pest plant information our pest guide publication.
Spraying pest plants? See section 6.2 of the Regional Plan for rules on spray drift.
Contact your pest plant contractor or staff
Waikato Regional Council contracts five plant pest contractors and two staff for areas in the Waikato region. The contractors and staff are responsible for:
- providing practical advice for controlling pest plants
- enforcement of pest plant control standards
- releasing biological control agents
- facilitating and undertaking control of high threat pest plants
- monitoring control work and property inspections
- surveillance for potential pest plants
Find your local pest plant staff or contractor and their contact details.
Weedbusters
Weedbusters is an inter-agency weeds awareness and education programme designed to protect New Zealand against the spread of invasive weeds. The Weedbusters vision is that all New Zealanders are aware of and take action to reduce the spread of weeds and their impact on the environment, economy and human health. Regional Weedbusters Awards are held every two years. Nominations open start of January 2012 and go through to the end of March 2012. More about Weedbusters.
Biocontrol to control pest plants
Biocontrol uses one living organism to control another. Find out about biocontrol releases for pest plants in the Waikato region.
Pest plant publications
Order or download biosecurity pest plant publications and factsheets for free.
Waikato Regional Council's Pest Guide is a quick reference guide to pests in the Waikato region. Download or order the complete pest guide including pest animals:
Pest guide - section 1 Eradication Pest Plants (Waikato Regional Council control - 0800 BIOSECURITY)
Pest guide - section 2 Containment Pest Plants (occupier control)
Pest guide - section 3 Potential Pest Plants
Pest guide - section 4 Nuisance Pest Plants
National Pest Plant Accord from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand. A compilation of common pest plants, what their impact on the environment is and how to control them.
Plant Me Instead – Plants to use in place of common pest plants (free). A booklet of ideas on what plants you can use to replace pest plants.
'What makes a pest a pest'? – A guide to Waikato’s pest management future (free) Download or order for free.
Find out about Waikato Regional Council’s Pest Management Strategy and check out what plants are pests in the Waikato region.
Poisonous Plants and Fungi in New Zealand– A guide for parents, schools and child minders ($15.00 includes GST). Many plants we have in our gardens are poisonous. Find out which plants and fungi are poisonous and what action needs to be taken should poisoning occur.
Pest plant control methods factsheet.
Related websites