Mangawhai weed warriors needed

 

 

Mangawhai prides itself on being ‘magical’ but it will take more than magic to stop the spread of serious weeds. The allocation of significant funding by Northland Regional Council (NRC) to support community initiatives to control pest plants in the Mangawhai /Brynderwyns/ Waipu area provides just the incentive needed to tackle the problem.

Last month at the Friends of the Brynderwyns Society AGM weed expert Jack Craw spelled out the threats invasive species pose to the natural environment and approaches to their control. Top of his hit list was climbing asparagus, a fast growing scrambling weed with fern-like foliage and numerous orange berries spread by birds. It tolerates shade which allows it to invade bush, smother shrubs and seedlings and eventually replace the complex understorey with a thick blanket.

Mangawhai has plenty of it and sobering examples can be seen along the Goldschmidt coastal track at the Heads and around the Mangawhai Activity Zone. At the same time it’s spreading into bush on both the north and south sides of the Brynderwyns. While there are controls for all weeds, community action holds the key to winning the battle.

Supported by the Regional Council’s funding and responding to the challenge, Weed Action Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare (PBL) has been formed. Leading the way on the Waipu side of the Brynderwyns, a group of enthusiastic ‘weed warriors’ has already blitzed a large patch of wild ginger at the north end of Langs Beach and has another event planned.

John Hawley of Marunui Conservation and member of Weed Action PBL is keen to stimulate similar efforts on the Mangawhai side. To this end a public meeting will be held on Sunday November 11, 10.30am at The Club on Molesworth Drive. Jo Barr, coordinator of Weed Action Whangarei Heads, will be there to advise, inspire and answer questions. Rick Stolwerk, Coastal South Northland Regional Councillor, keen to promote participation, will talk about available funding in Northland’s Long-Term Plan.

Anyone wanting to tackle weeds in the Mangawhai area is encouraged to come along. “This is the first time weed control has been made a funding priority so let’s take advantage of it,” urges John Hawley. “By joining forces in a local Weed Action group we can improve and protect the environment and have fun doing it. If Mangawhai could get rid of the worst weeds that would be magical.”

n For more information on the meeting contact Belinda Vernon, 027 557 0845.