auckland regional pest management plan...

Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan review Discussion document | 1

October 2015

Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan Review Discussion document

Feedback must be received by 27 November 2015

Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan review 2 | Discussion document


Table of contents

He Mihi ....................................................................................................................... 4

1 Kupu whakataki Introduction ................................................................................ 5

2 Ngā tūnga me ngā kawenga Roles and responsibilities ....................................... 7

3 Take tupu orotā Pest plant issues ...................................................................... 15

4 Take kararehe orotā Pest animal issues ............................................................ 21

5 Te ngaki tipua orotā i te Moana o Tikapa /Te Moananui ā Toi Pest management

in the Hauraki Gulf ............................................................................................. 24

6 Tipua taimoana orotā Marine pests................................................................... 28

7 Ngā mahi ngaki tipua ā-hapori ā muri ake nei The future of community pest

control ................................................................................................................ 29

8 Te whakarite mahere hōu Preparing the new plan............................................. 30

9 Tuku korero ō whakaaro Have your say on Pest Management in Auckland ...... 31

Rārangi Kupu Glossary ........................................................................................... 32

Āpitihanga tuatahi: Ngā tupu orotā i te wā nei Appendix one: Current plant pests .. 35

Āpitihanga tuarua: Ngā kararehe orotā i te wā nei Appendix two: Current animal

pests .................................................................................................................. 42

Āpitihanga tuatoru: Ngā mahi rangahau koiora i te wā nei Appendix three: Current

research organisms ........................................................................................... 44

Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan consultation questions: ........................ 46

Cover: (left to right) gorse, a dead kauri crown, rat, argentine ant (credit Richard Toft,

Entcol), feral goat.


He Mihi

Tuia ki te rangi

Tuia ki te whenua

Tuia ki te moana

Tuia te here tangata

Ka rongo te pō ka rongo te ao.

Bind the domain of the upper realm

Bind the domain of the land, Bind the domain of the ocean

Bind the tapestry of life

which affirms our connection

to the natural world and to one another


1 Kupu whakataki

Introduction

Pests are invasive plants, animals or other organisms that can have adverse effects

on our environment, economy and health. Controlling pests has many benefits. Pest

management helps protect our native plants, animals and ecosystems. The

productivity of our primary sector (farming, forestry, horticulture, fishing and

aquaculture) relies on effective pest management. Pest management protects wāhi

tapu and taonga, restores the mauri of whenua and wai māori, and enhances the

well-being of local communities. It also contributes to the amenity of our

environment, and maintaining our health. Successful pest management is holistic in

nature and recognises the interconnectedness of people and the environment.

Everyone benefits from pest management and all have a part to play - individuals,

tangata whenua, community groups, industry, local government and central

government. Pests do not respect property, rohe or regional boundaries so a

coordinated effort is required for their effective management.

Auckland Council has a leadership responsibility for pest management in the region

under the Biosecurity Act 1993. In accordance with this act the council produces a

regional pest management plan.

This discussion document starts the review of the regional pest management plan for

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland. The current plan was created in 2007, and since then

a lot has changed. We’re seeking your feedback on the matters discussed below,

and your comment on any other pest management issues you want to raise. It is

your chance to have your say.

He orotā tonu ētahi tupu otaota, kararehe me ētahi atu koiora e raru ai tō tātou taiao,

tokonga oranga, hauora hoki. He maha tonu ngā painga o te aukati orotā. He mea e

taea ai te tiaki i ā tātou tupu taketake, kararehe me ōna rauiringa taiao. Ko te

whaihua o ngā umanga matua (ahuwhenua, ngahere, tupu huawhenua, hī ika, ahu

kaimoana) me tōtika tonu te aukati i ngā raru tipua orotā. Ko te ngaki tipua orotā

tētahi o ngā here o te noho kaitiaki a te hunga manawhenua. Ko tāna, he tiaki i ngā

wāhi tapu me ana taonga, he whakaora anō i te mauri o te whenua me te wai māori,

e pai ake ai te hā ora o te haukāinga. E whaipānga hoki ki te pai o te taiao e nohoa

nei e tātou, e ora tonu ai tātou. Ko te hua ko ngā mahi ngaki tipua orotā he tāpapa

hora nui tōna āhua, me tōna aro atu ki te hononga tūturu i waenga i te tangata me te

taiao.


Ka whai painga te katoa i ngā mahi ngaki tipua orotā, arā hei mahi tonu mā tēnā me

tēnā o tātou - takitahi mai, tangata whenua, tira hapori, wāhi mahi, mana kaunihera,

kāwanatanga atu. Kāhore he whakaaro nei o te tipua orotā ki te rawa, takiwā,

whenua ā-rohe rānei, nō reira me honohono tonu ngā mahi e whai hua ai ngā

whakahaere.

He herenga kei runga i te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau ki te arataki i ngā mahi

ngaki tipua orotā i raro i te Ture Tiaki i te Ao Koiora 1993. I raro i te maru o taua ture

ka whakairihia e te kaunihera he mahere ā-rohe hei ngaki tipua orotā.

Ko tā tēnei puka takinga kōrero te tīmatanga o te aromātai i te mahere ngaki tipua

orotā mō Tāmaki Makarau. I hanga te mahere e mau nei i te tau 2007, he nui tonu

ngā mea kua rerekē noa ake. Kei te kimi mātou i ō koutou whakaaro mō ngā take e

whai ake i raro iho nei, me ētahi atu take ngaki tipua orotā e hiahia ana koe ki te toko

ake. Koinei te wāhi e āhei ai tō whakapuaki kōrero.


2 Ngā tūnga me ngā kawenga

Roles and responsibilities

2.1 Individual residents

The majority of pest management is carried out by individuals on land they own or

occupy, from rural residents controlling rabbits, through to city-dwellers deploying rat

traps. Gardeners may decide to keep their privet hedge trimmed so that it doesn’t

flower or plant a native nῑkau instead of an exotic palm. Many people undertake

integrated pest management on their land as part of an ecological restoration project

(see the box story on the Paradise Alley project). Auckland Council biosecurity staff

support people to carry out their own pest management by providing advice on what

species should be controlled, and how best to do this. Residents also play a valuable

role in reporting new sightings of pests, allowing the council or the Ministry for

Primary Industries (MPI) to take appropriate action.

The Paradise Alley project

Gail and Warwick Stent moved to Pāremoremo

over 15 years ago and started a battle to

control the wild ginger, morning glory, jasmine

and other pest plants that were smothering the

native bush that covers half their property.

Work they dubbed the ‘Paradise Alley’ project.

At first the process was frustrating with lots of

effort for little gain and weeds returning with a

vengeance. “It all started feeling like a rather

hopeless task because we did not have the

manpower or expertise to make a real and

lasting difference,” explains Warwick.

The pair contacted Auckland Council, and Mary Stewart, Senior Biosecurity Advisor

for the North Shore area, paid them a visit. “Mary helped immediately with advice on

which pest plants we should prioritise for control and which herbicides to use,” says

Warwick. “She saw the sense in my request to work alongside someone with

expertise so that we could learn by doing.”

Mary also offered advice on preparing an application for Environmental Initiatives

funding and suggested that the Stents work with a specialist weed control contractor.


Working alongside the contractor, they quickly learned how to effectively deal with

weeds and use herbicides on their property in a precise and targeted way.

The outcome has been a heartening recovery and regeneration of the native bush.

Less control work is required each year as native seedlings take over the area and

fewer weeds establish.

Gael and Warwick are also controlling rats as part of their restoration work. They

have noticed an increase in native birds and are motivated by a vision of being part

of the North-West Wildlink corridor for birds flying between the Hauraki Gulf islands

and the Waitākere Ranges.

Mary has kept in touch with the Stents and continues to provide advice via email and

the occasional visit. Through the local newspaper, Warwick now shares his

newfound pest management knowledge with the Pāremoremo community. “I see it

as a way of paying back the help we have received,” he says.

2.2 Māori

Ko te noho kaitiaki mō tō rātou rohe he tikanga motuhake ake nā ngā mana whenua

o Tāmaki Makaurau. I te ao Māori, he whanaungatanga kei waenga i ngā mea katoa

- ngā tāngata, tupu taketake, tipua orotā me te taiao whānui tonu. He wāhanga noa

iho te ngaki tipua orotā nō te tirohanga whānui a te ao, e hua ai he painga ā-taiao, ā-

iwi anō hoki. Ko tā te ngaki tipua orotā he whakapai ake i te mauri o te whenua me te

wai māori, me te oranga o te hā ora o te mana whenua me ōna haukāinga. Kia puta

ai ngā hua ki te rohe me mātua mahi tahi rawa tātou. Ahakoa he maha ngā iwi me

ngā rōpū e tautoko ana i ngā mahi ngaki tipua orotā i roto me waho atu i te rohe o

Tāmaki Makaurau, kāhore he aronga atu o te tipua orotā ki te iwi me ōna rohenga

whenua rānei. E hiahia ana te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau ki te mahi i te taha o

ngā mana whenua o te rohe, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) me ērā atu rōpū hei whakarahi

ake i ngā mahi ngaki tipua orotā puta noa i ōnā rohe whakahaere.

He whānui tonu ngā mahi ngaki tipua orotā ngātahi ā ngā kaitiaki me te kaunihera,

tae atu ki te aromātai i te wai māori, te mate urutā e patu nei i te kauri me te oranga

o ngā ngahere. Ko tā te kaunihera he takitaki, he tautoko i ngā mana whenua i roto i

ā rātou mahi ngaki tipua orotā i runga i ō rātou whenua. Nāwai rā e piki haere ana

ēnei mahi mā roto i te whakarahi ake i ngā papamahi kia hua ai ngā painga ā-iwi, ā-

taiao anō hoki. I raro i ētahi tikanga ka kawea e ngā mana whenua me te kaunihera

ā rātou mahi ngaki tipua orotā i runga whakaaetanga tūturu, whakahaere ngātahinga

rānei. He tauira o tēnei ko te Mana Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau, i

whakatūria hei tiaki i ngā maunga (puia hū) i muri i ngā whakatau Tiriti o Waitangi.

Kei te tupu tonu ngā mahi ohaoha me ngā rawa whaihua ā ngā mana whenua pērā i

te mahi ngahere, hī ika me te ahuwhenua. He taonga nui tonu ēnei mō te oranga ā-

iwi, ohaohanga noa rānei, e tika ana kia āraia i te tipua orotā. Ko tā te kaunihera he

āwhina me te takitaki i ngā mana whenua ki te kimi rongoa mō ngā whiu a te tipua


orotā. He papa mātauranga motuhake tō te Māori (he mea tuku iho e pā ana ki tāna

tirohanga whānui ki te ao) me āna

ake tikanga whakahaere. Kei te kitea ēnei i roto i ngā tikanga ārai mō te ao taonga

koiora mai, whai rawa atu hoki. Ko tā te kaunihera he mahi tahi me ngā mana

whenua kia toka ai te mātauranga Māori me ā rātou tikanga hei puna taki kōrero e

whai hua ai ngā hōtaka ngaki tipua orotā o te rohe.

The mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland have an important and unique

role as kaitiaki of their rohe. In te ao Māori everything has a relationship – people,

native species, pests and the wider environment. Pest management is just one part

of a holistic, integrated world view, yielding both environmental and social outcomes.

Pest management can contribute to enhancing the mauri of the whenua and wai

māori, the protection of wāhi tapu and taonga, and the oranga of mana whenua and

local communities. To achieve these outcomes for the rohe, all must work together.

While there are many iwi and other organisations that contribute to pest

management within and outside of Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland, pests do not have

boundaries. Auckland Council wants to work alongside mana whenua as well as the

Department of Conservation (DOC) and other organisations to enhance pest

management across organisational boundaries.

Kaitiaki are involved in a diverse range of pest management activities including

monitoring of wai māori, kauri dieback disease, and the health of te ngahere as part

of animal pest control. The council provides advice and support for mana whenua

undertaking pest control on their whenua. Increasingly this is taking the form of

capacity-building, with the potential to support improved social and environmental

outcomes. In some situations mana whenua and the council undertake pest

management together as part of formal partnership and co-management

agreements. An example of this is the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau

Authority, which is set up to manage the region’s maunga (volcanic cones) following

Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Mana whenua o Tāmaki

Makaurau have increasing economic interests and ownership of primary production

assets such as forestry, fishing and farming. These assets and resources are

important for social and economic well-being but require protection from pests. The

council can assist and advise mana whenua with regards to solutions for economic

pest threats. Māori have a distinct knowledge base, mātauranga Māori (the body of

knowledge originating from Māori ancestors, including the Māori world view and

perspectives) and tikanga whakahaere (management approaches). These are

reflected in mana whenua priorities for biosecurity protection of taonga species and

resources. The council collaborates with mana whenua to ensure mātauranga Māori

me o rātou tikanga are recognised as important sources of knowledge and

information that add value to the region’s pest management programmes.


2.3 Community organisations

Around 800 community groups undertake pest management across Tāmaki

Makaurau - Auckland. Their efforts cover more than 85,000ha of land and range in

size from a single trap line within an urban local park to large-scale conservation

projects such as Tāwharanui and Shakespear open sanctuaries. Community pest

control has achieved outstanding successes in ecological restoration across the

region. One example is Ark in the Park in the Waitākere Ranges. Ark in the Park has

protected over 3000ha of native forest on public and private land from mammalian

predators for more than 10 years, allowing the reintroduction of native species such

as kōkako, pōpokatea (whitehead) and toutouwai (North Island robin). Auckland

Council supports community pest control activities through the provision of traps,

bait, technical advice and training.

Pōpokatea (whitehead) being released in Ark in the Park.

Photo: Ark in the Park


2.4 Industry

Pest management is a core activity for primary industry, from farmers controlling

ragwort on their own land, to the sector-wide plan by the kiwifruit industry to manage

the bacterial disease Psa-V (see the box story on Psa-V). Effective pest control also

minimises the cost to others of from weed species spreading to neighbouring

properties. Transport operators have a particular role in preventing the spread of

pests both on machinery and along road or rail corridors. The council supports

industry with advice on pest control and can help facilitate any regional pest or

pathway management plans industry may want to produce.

Tackling kiwifruit vine disease in the Auckland region

Kiwifruit vine disease is caused by a harmful bacterium commonly known as Psa-V.

This plant pathogen was first detected in New Zealand (Bay of Plenty) in 2010 and

has had a major financial impact on the kiwifruit industry. The organisation Kiwifruit

Vine Health Inc (KVH) was established by growers to lead the New Zealand kiwifruit

industry response to Psa-V. KVH now has an interest in managing all biosecurity

threats to kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.).

By 2012, Psa-V was established in kiwifruit orchards in the Franklin area of

Auckland. Approximately 7 per cent of New Zealand’s kiwifruit crop (earning

approximately $100 million per year in revenue) is grown in Tāmaki Makaurau -

Auckland and a biosecurity partnership between the kiwifruit industry (Auckland

growers, KVH) and the council was formed to control the disease in the region.

“Auckland Council has been very

helpful in assisting with the

identification and removal of

abandoned orchards,” says John

Mather from KVH, “also by assisting

with the costs of wild kiwifruit control

and surveillance for kiwifruit plants

and symptoms of Psa-V sold in plant

retail outlets such as garden centres

when undertaking inspections as

part of the National Pest Plant Accord.” John adds: “This cooperation between

industry and regional government has been invaluable in ensuring that Psa-V is

contained and that the kiwifruit industry remains viable. These actions have been

successful in that Psa-V is not yet established in the northwest Auckland kiwifruit

growing region.”

KVH and the council jointly funded the control of a sizeable wild kiwifruit infestation

at Pohuehue, north of the city (see before and after control photos). Wild kiwifruit and

abandoned orchards present a biosecurity threat to the kiwifruit industry in that they

Pre-control with wildling kiwifruit

Photo: John Mather Kiwifruit Vine health


may harbour pests, including Psa-V, and continue to produce fruit which birds

consume. This spreads seed and results in further wild (or naturalised) vines. Wild

kiwifruit is a fast-growing and invasive vine, which reduces the biodiversity value of

native forest and the production value of exotic forest.

Wilding kiwifruit is declared a pest

plant within the current regional pest

management plan for Tāmaki

Makaurau - Auckland, but control is

only required within high

conservation value areas. To

prevent wilding kiwifruit becoming

an unwanted inoculum source of

kiwifruit vine disease, it has been

suggested that the council declares

wild kiwifruit (i.e. any naturalised Actinidia spp.) a pest, which is required to be

controlled at any identified wild kiwifruit site within the Auckland region.

2.5 Central government

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the government agency charged with

national leadership in pest management. The ministry is responsible for:

• administering the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the National Policy Direction

for Pest Management 2015

• keeping pests out of Aotearoa - New Zealand through border control

• responding to incursions of new-to-New Zealand pests

• coordinating programmes to control certain ‘national interest’ pests, for

example kauri dieback and some aquatic weeds.

DOC is responsible for managing pests on conservation land. In Tāmaki Makaurau -

Auckland, the council collaborates with DOC on many joint pest control programmes

such as the management of feral deer and the protection of the Hauraki Gulf islands.

2.6 Auckland Council

Auckland Council has regional leadership and regulatory functions for pest

management under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The council also has pest control

responsibilities as a landowner. In carrying out these activities the council is

committed to meeting its responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of

Waitangi and broader legal obligations to Māori.

The council’s regional leadership functions include:

Photo: John Mather Kiwifruit Vine health

Post-control free of wilding kiwifruit pre-control


• promoting public support of pest management

• facilitating communication and cooperation among those involved in pest

management

• providing education and technical support for pest control

• researching pests and control methods

• facilitating the development of regional pest management plans by others.

The council’s responsibilities are at a regional level and do not include national

border control. However, the council assists MPI in responding to new-to-New

Zealand incursions within the region, such as with the recent Queensland fruit fly

response.

The council also collaborates with a range of parties on national programmes as they

relate to the region. An example of this is the national kauri dieback control

programme where the council works with mana whenua, MPI, DOC and the

Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional councils.

As a landowner, the council controls pests on land it administers such as parks and

roads. It also carries out direct control on some less common pests of high potential

threat on both public and private land. Many local board plans have also included

pest management activities in their outcomes and initiatives.

The council has a regulatory function to set and enforce rules. The current Auckland

Regional Pest Management Plan 2007-20121 provides a statutory as well as a

strategic framework for pest management in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland. It

contains pest management programmes with rules preventing the sale, distribution,

propagation and breeding of some species. It requires landowners to control some

pests and keep others in secure containment. It also contains stronger rules for

particular areas of the region, for example the Waitākere Ranges and the Hauraki

Gulf.

As part of the review of the regional pest management plan, the management

programme for each pest will need to align with the programmes specified in the new

National Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015. Table 1 lists those new pest

management programmes and the relevant objective for each.

1 This document was previously termed the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007-2012. The

reforms to the Biosecurity Act in 2012 renamed this document replacing the term “Strategy” with “Plan”.


Table 1: New programmes that must be used in regional pest management plans.

Pest Management

Programme

The intermediate outcome specified in the National Policy

Direction

Exclusion

Programme

Prevent the establishment of a pest that is present in New

Zealand but not yet established in an area.

Eradication

Programme

To reduce the infestation level of the pest to zero levels in an

area in the short to medium term.

Progressive

Containment

Programme

To contain or reduce the geographic distribution of the pest to

an area over time.

Sustained Control

Programme

To provide for the ongoing control of the pest to reduce its

impacts on values and its spread to other properties.

Site-led Pest

Programme

A pest that is capable of causing damage to a place is

excluded or eradicated from that place, or is contained,

reduced or controlled within the place to an extent that

protects the values of that place.

Think about:

How could the council best carry out its regional leadership functions?

What pests and control methods should the council be investigating?

How could the council support your pest management activities?

See feedback question 1


3 Take tupu orotā

Pest plant issues

3.1 Introduction

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland is the weediest region in Aotearoa - New Zealand. In

addition to existing weeds, around four new plant species establish here each year.

Our current regional pest management plan lists over 200 pest plant species in four

management programme categories: total control, containment, surveillance, and

community initiative (see Appendix one). A further 28 plants are included in the

research programme (see Appendix three). The review of the current plan is an

opportunity to assess the pest plant species it contains to determine whether any

should be added or removed. For each species consideration of the aims and what

can be achieved is needed. In addition, the Biosecurity Act requires that a detailed

cost and benefit analysis of proposed programmes be carried out for each species

included in a regional pest management plan. This ensures that the pest

management programmes are targeted to achieve maximum benefits for the least

cost.

Auckland Council uses the pest infestation curve to assist decision-making on pest

management (see Figure 1). New or emergent pests with low numbers and limited

distribution are at the beginning of the curve. Pest control at this stage often involves

relatively low costs and high long-term benefits. For these weeds, progressive

containment or even eradication may be feasible, preventing them becoming the

widespread problem weeds of the future. For widespread weeds at the established

stage of the curve, the costs of control can be high, while benefits are often low.

Eradication of widespread weeds is unlikely to be feasible.

In the new plan, each pest will be managed under one or more of the five new

categories of programmes listed in Table 1.

Think about:

What plant species should be added to or removed from the regional pest

management plan?

What pest management programmes and objectives should apply to new or existing

pest plant species?

For current pest species, view the current Regional Pest Management Strategy

See feedback questions 2 and 3

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/environmentwaste/biosecurity/Pages/regionalpestmanagementstrategy.aspx


Pest Infestation Curve

Balloon vine

Time

Exte

nt

of

infe

sta

tio

n

Red eared slider turtle

Bangalow palm

Woolly nightshade

Possums

Moth plant

Lag Explosion Established

0

Prevention Eradication Containment Sustained Control Site Protection

Cost Benefit Ratio

Objective

Management Species led Place led

Lower costs/higher benefits

higher costs/lower benefits

Climbing asparagus

The pest infestation curve has three stages. The first is the lag phase, which is the

initial slow establishment phase when a pest is new or emergent and is very limited

in its distribution (the curve is almost flat). The second is the explosion phase when a

pest is still restricted in its range but densities and range are increasing rapidly (the

curve is steep). The third is the established phase when growth slows as the pest

fills most of its available habitat or niche (the curve levels off again). This is the

phase that applies to widespread and entrenched pests. There are often similar

management objectives and cost benefit ratios for pests at similar stages of the

curve.

The infestation curve is a model; it should only be used as a guide. Some pest

species can be widespread yet because of the attributes of the pest and the

available control methodologies, large areas can be successfully controlled for a

relatively low cost. Possums are an example of this.


3.2 Bangalow palm

Bangalow palm is a native of eastern Australia. It is

very similar in appearance to our native nῑkau palm

and is a popular garden plant. Bangalow palm is a

research organism in the current regional pest

management plan. This means it is not subject to

rules, but has been assessed as a potential pest in

the explosion phase of the infestation curve.

Bangalow palm is self-fertile, produces large

amounts of seed and is fast-growing. Research

suggests it can out-compete nῑkau palm. The nῑkau

is the world’s southernmost palm species and is a

taonga found only in Aotearoa - New Zealand.

Bangalow palm is increasingly found in areas of

native bush (as many as 1069 seedlings per

square metre in some Auckland forests), making it

a threat to native ecosystems.

To respond to this threat, bangalow palm could be made a pest plant in the new

regional pest management plan. As a pest plant, it would be banned from sale,

distribution and propagation. It could also be subject to active management and

control around areas of high biodiversity value. However, landowners would not be

required to remove established plants.

All species will go through a thorough cost and benefit analysis before being

included as pests in the plan. This is to ensure that the benefits of management

outweigh the costs. Making bangalow palm a pest would impose costs on those

currently selling the plant. It would also provide benefits by reducing the threat the

plant poses to our native forests.

Alternatives to making bangalow palm a pest include removing the plant from the

plan entirely or retaining it as a research organism. These options do not impose

costs on those currently selling the plant but neither do they address its

environmental impacts.

It is possible that bangalow palm will be included in the National Pest Plant Accord

from mid-2021. This will ban it from sale nationally. However, the climate of Tāmaki

Makaurau - Auckland provides ideal conditions for species like bangalow palm and it

Photo: Ewen Cameron


Moth Plant

is likely to become even more invasive with climate change. So it is timely to

consider the status of bangalow palm in this review.

If research, consultation and cost-benefit analysis support making bangalow palm a

pest, the council will work with nurseries and growers to prepare for the change.

Bangalow palm seedlings on forest floor look very similar to nīkau seedlings.

Think about:

Should bangalow palm be made a pest in the regional pest management plan?

If it is made a pest, what is the most appropriate management programme for it?

How could the spread of bangalow palm be prevented?


3.3 Widespread weeds

Unfortunately, Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland has many weeds that are at the highly

established stage of the pest

infestation curve. Widespread and

common weeds like moth plant,

woolly nightshade and wild ginger

have adverse impacts on our

environment and are highly visible.

These pests are an important issue

for mana whenua, community

groups, industry and individual

residents. However, managing

these widespread weeds is often

Photo: Ewen Cameron


difficult, costly and can be of limited benefit.

In the current regional pest management plan most widespread weeds are subject to

a surveillance pest management programme. This means they are banned from

sale, distribution and propagation. Auckland Council also encourages and offers

advice on their removal. There are no region-wide requirements for the council or

landowners to control surveillance pest plants. However, in specific areas such as

the Waitākere Ranges, Hunua Ranges, and Hauraki Gulf islands, stronger rules

apply for some species.

The council needs to decide whether to include these plants in the reviewed plan,

and which pest management programme(s) should apply. There is no equivalent to

the surveillance pest management programme in the new National Policy Direction

for Pest Management 2015. These weeds could be subject to a sustained control

programme across the region with stronger rules enforced in some areas.

Widespread weeds could also be included in site-led pest management programmes

to protect high value ecosystems and threatened species.

\

Woolly nightshade (left) and wild ginger (right)

Biological control can offer a long-term method to control (but not eradicate)

widespread weeds. These methods involve the application of a pest’s natural enemy

to reduce an infestation through predation or adverse effects. An example is the

control of mistflower which was a widespread weed threatening our native forests.

Mistflower has been successfully controlled by the introduction of two biological

agents: a white smut fungus and a gall fly. Biological control often has high initial

research and establishment costs but can be very cost effective in the long term.


The resources available for pest management are limited. The priority given to

managing widespread weeds, relative to the more cost effective control of new and

emergent weeds, needs to be considered. Failure to adequately control new

emerging weeds may simply result in these species joining the ever-lengthening list

of widespread weeds.

Think about:

How should widespread weeds be managed in the regional pest management plan?

What objectives should be set and what rules should apply?

Which places or ecosystems should be prioritised for site-led management of

widespread weeds to protect the region’s biodiversity?

What priority should be given to controlling widespread weeds, compared to the

control of new and emergent weeds?



4 Take kararehe orotā

Pest animal issues

4.1 Introduction

Our current regional pest management plan lists 39 pest animals, including insects,

birds, reptiles and freshwater fish (see Appendix two). A further 10 animal species

are included in the research programme (see Appendix three). Because Aotearoa -

New Zealand lacks native land mammals (apart from bats), our native ecosystems

are especially vulnerable to the effects of introduced mammals. Predators such as

stoats eat our native wildlife, while herbivores such as possums and deer eat our

native plants. Other types of animals can also be pests. Introduced reptiles and fish

compete with native fish and damage the mauri of wai māori. Wasps compete with

native species and may affect human enjoyment of the environment.

The council is seeking feedback on potential changes to the management of two

pest animals in particular. However, like the pest plant species, this review is an

opportunity to consider the aims, benefits and costs of pest management for all the

animal species listed in the current regional pest management plan. It is also an

opportunity to consider which pest animals should be included or removed from the

plan. Pest animals in the new plan will need to be included in one or more of the five

new pest management programme categories listed in Table 1. For each species to

be included in the plan, the benefits of its management and inclusion must outweigh

the costs.

Think about:

What animal species should be added to or removed from the regional pest

management plan?

What pest management programmes and objectives should be applied to new or

existing pest animal species?

For current pest species, view the current Regional Pest Management Strategy


4.2 Red-eared slider turtles

Red-eared slider turtles are among the top 100 invasive species in the world. They

are omnivores, mainly eating plants, but also insects, small fish and ground-nesting

birds. Turtles’ feeding activity is likely to degrade the mauri of wai māori by disturbing

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/environmentwaste/biosecurity/Pages/regionalpestmanagementstrategy.aspx


sediment and affecting other ecosystem processes. They can carry salmonella, and

overseas they have been responsible for disease transmission to humans, especially

to children.

The current regional pest management plan allows for red-eared slider turtles to be

bred, sold and kept as pets if they are held in secure confinement, such as an

aquarium. People typically purchase these turtles as pets when they are small,

attractive juveniles. But red-eared slider turtles can live for several decades and

grow to the size of a dinner plate. Owners can be unprepared for this and illegally

release them into the wild rather than finding alternatives. Red-eared slider turtles

have not yet been confirmed as breeding in the wild in our region. However, with

increasing temperatures it is anticipated that their eggs will soon be able to

successfully incubate and hatch.

It would be possible to ban the breeding, distribution and sale of red-eared slider

turtles in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland in the new regional pest management plan.

This would reduce the risk of populations establishing in the wild and help safeguard

the mauri of wai māori and associated ecosystems.

People with existing pets could continue to keep them in secure confinement.

Red-eared slider turtle

Think about:

How should red-eared slider turtles be managed in the new regional pest

management plan?



4.3 Feral goats

Feral goats are one of the most destructive animals in native and plantation forests.

They are widespread throughout the region. Goats are opportunistic feeders,

destroying native forest understorey up to 2m high and feeding on newly planted or

young trees. Being both hardy and agile they can exploit areas that other grazing

animals cannot reach.

In the current regional pest management plan goats are considered feral and a pest

unless held in secure confinement, such as behind an effective fence. In addition,

the council controls feral goats in and around areas of significant ecological values

such as the Hunua and Waitākere ranges. However, these areas are subject to

constant re-invasion from farm escapes.

To complement the council’s current control activities, the new regional pest

management plan could include goat permit zones for buffer areas around the

Waitākere and Hunua ranges, and throughout the Hauraki Gulf islands. This would

provide greater protection than the current system affords, as goats are notorious for

escaping confinement. Goat permit zones would significantly reduce the risk posed

to important ecological areas by requiring high standards for goat fencing and

identification. However, the system would also provide for people who responsibly

farm and milk goats in these areas.

The council would also continue to work on eradicating the remaining feral goats in

areas of important ecological value.

Feral goats on Mt Richmond

Think about:

How should goats be managed in the new regional pest management plan?



5 Te ngaki tipua orotā i te Moana o Tikapa /Te Moananui ā

Toi

Pest management in the Hauraki Gulf

Tῑkapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi - the

Hauraki Gulf is a special area, a

sanctuary for many of our threatened

native species, including birds, lizards,

insects and plants. Islands are key

areas for pest management as their

geographic isolation makes them easier

to protect from pest invasion than areas

on the mainland. Auckland Council,

DOC and many others control pest

plants and animals on the Hauraki Gulf

islands. Over half of the islands/island

groups in the Gulf are now free of

introduced mammals. Auckland Council

and DOC also respond to new

incursions of pests to keep these

islands pest free. These eradications

support ecosystem restoration and the

preservation of threatened species on

flagship islands such as Tiritiri Matangi,

Rangitoto, Rotoroa and Rākino.

Pest eradications are part of a range of biosecurity activities protecting the Gulf,

including:

the Treasure Islands public awareness programme, a partnership between

DOC and Auckland Council - www.treasureislands.co.nz

biosecurity checks of commercial vessels, translocated houses and freight

moving to or between islands to prevent re-invasion

traps, bait stations, monitoring devices and signs at prioritised boat ramps,

wharves and marinas within the Gulf for prevention or early detection of re-

invasions

the Pest-free Warrant accreditation programme for vessels. Over 40

commercial and non-commercial organisations and contractors operating in

the Gulf now hold Pest-free Warrants.

Senior Biosecurity Advisor Jeff Cook inspects a rodent monitoring station at Queens Wharf


There is extra protection in place for the Gulf in the current regional pest

management plan to reflect the importance of the area. The Hauraki Gulf is a

controlled area under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This enables the council to place

restrictions on the transportation of pests to or within the Gulf. These controls are

primarily aimed at animal species such as possums, rats, plague (rainbow) skinks

and Argentine ants. Some pest plants, such as rhamnus (Evergreen buckthorn) and

moth plant, are subject to increased management efforts on Gulf islands compared

to on the mainland. Auckland Council also supports community pest management

and ecological restoration projects, such as the Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment

Trust on Aotea - Great Barrier Island (see box).

The Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust

The Windy Hill Rosalie Bay catchment is located in the south east of Aotea - Great

Barrier Island. This remote area of the island has long been considered ecologically

significant. It has large areas of undisturbed mature coastal broadleaf podocarp

forest. The catchment is home to pāteke - brown teal duck, black petrels, Duvaucel’s

gecko, chevron and striped skinks, kākā and kererū. The rare plant Pimelea

tomentosa is found on the coast.

The Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust was formed in 2001. Currently there

are 14 landowners participating. The trust’s overall objective is to sustain and

enhance the biodiversity of the area by removing invasive plants and animals so that

native species can flourish, threatened species can be protected, and species that

have been lost to the island can be reintroduced.

The trust educates the community on the benefits of conservation and is committed

to assisting the island’s economy by creating conservation-based employment. The

trust raises funds and employs field workers to systematically remove invasive plants

and animals. As well as paid employment, 2000 volunteer hours are contributed

each year. Currently 620ha of land is under intensive management to control rats,

mice, pigs, rabbits and feral cats. Over the past 16 years, 44,000 rats and 302 feral

cats have been caught. Weeds are also managed and the programme now includes

wilding pines.

Auckland Council has supported Windy Hill through the Environmental Initiatives

Fund and the Natural Heritage Fund, co-funding many important ecological and

biodiversity outcomes. This includes the first translocation of the North Island robin, a

regionally extinct species, which was carried out in 2004 with a booster translocation

of 25 robins in March 2009 and another in 2012. Over 140 young robins have

fledged since 2004. Two rare chevron skinks were released at Windy Hill by DOC in

2004 and three pāteke were released in 2011. In January 2011, a Duvaucel’s gecko

was trapped, the second only sighting in 40 years.


Agave americana

Several of the larger Gulf islands are home to substantial human populations. Pest

management on inhabited islands can be more complicated and challenging than on

small uninhabited islands. On inhabited islands some mammals can be seen as both

a pest and valued pet (e.g. cats) or food resource (e.g. feral pigs). Rats and other

pests on inhabited islands can be important sources of re-invasion for pest-free

islands. Forest fragments on inhabited Gulf islands are among the weediest in the

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland region, with many of these invasive plants originating

from gardens.

The new regional pest management plan could continue to provide for particular

biosecurity programmes in the Gulf and address new challenges for pest

management in the Gulf in several ways.

Succulents such as century plant

(Agave americana) and Mauritius

hemp (Furcraea species) thrive on

cliffs and sand dunes and are invasive

on several Hauraki Gulf islands,

displacing native coastal plants and

altering habitat for native animals.

However, because succulents are

tolerant of coastal conditions, they are

also a popular choice of garden plant

for island residents. These plants

mainly spread vegetatively, not by

seed. Therefore their continued

availability on the mainland poses little

risk to island ecosystems compared to

species that are dispersed long

distances by wind or birds.

These species could be banned from sale, distribution and propagation within the

Gulf. Auckland Council could encourage and offer advice on their removal from

island properties. However, these controls would not require the removal of existing

plants and they would still be available for sale on the mainland.

The new regional pest management plan could also recognise the biological, cultural

and social diversity of the Hauraki Gulf islands by including site-led programmes for

particular islands or areas. For instance, feral pigs could be assigned to an

eradication programme for Waiheke Island.


Think about:

How should the special nature of Tῑkapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi – the Hauraki

Gulf be recognised in the new regional pest management plan?

What plants and animals should or shouldn’t be considered pests in the Gulf?

How should the new regional pest management plan support pest management on

inhabited islands?

What kind of pest management programmes could apply to particular islands?



6 Tipua taimoana orotā

Marine pests

The current regional pest management plan does not include any programmes for

marine pests. However, awareness of marine biosecurity roles and issues has

developed substantially since the current plan was produced in 2007. Marine pests

are seen as a particular issue for Tῑkapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi - the Hauraki

Gulf as well as a potential issue for the Manukau and Kaipara harbours. Marine

pests can affect recreation and industry, and outcompete native species. Marine

pests are very difficult to control once established, with high costs, rapid dispersal of

very large numbers of juveniles, and a lack of safe, effective control tools. Managing

the pathways by which organisms are introduced and spread can be a much more

efficient method of dealing with marine pests.

The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan introduces rules regarding vessel biofouling

and in-water hull cleaning in sensitive environments as a means of pathway

management. Developing an inter-regional pathway management plan under the

Biosecurity Act is another option, along with raising awareness and producing best

practice guidelines for marine industries.

Think about:

Should the issue of marine pests should be addressed, and if so, how?


Great Barrier Island anting team, following

detection and control work


7 Ngā mahi ngaki tipua ā-hapori ā muri ake nei

The future of community pest control

Auckland Council works with community groups undertaking pest control by

providing technical advice and resources such as traps, herbicides and bait. The

council also facilitates communication with and among communities through the Pest

Liaison Group. The new regional pest management plan could state that the council

will continue to provide this support as part of its strategic regional leadership

function.

The current regional pest management plan includes a programme type called

‘community initiative pest management’. These programmes allow for groups of

landowners/occupiers to collaboratively control pest plants or animals in an area with

formal support from the council. In some cases these programmes allow for specific,

enforceable rules to be created for that area.

Community initiative pest management programmes are not included in the National

Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015 and consequently cannot be included in

the new regional pest management plan. However, the new plan could signal the

possibility of using partial plan reviews to introduce site-led programmes for

community groups that wish to have their pest control reinforced by rules in the

future. Any partial plan changes would be subject to public consultation and cost-

benefit analysis as required by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Consultation questions

Think about:

How can the council can best support pest management by community groups?

Should the new plan provide for site-led programmes for community groups?



8 Te whakarite mahere hōu

Preparing the new plan

Auckland Council welcomes your comments on the issues covered in this discussion

document, and any other pest management issues you would like to raise. You may

wish to suggest:

new species for inclusion and how they should be managed

existing pests to be removed from the plan

changes to existing management programmes and rules

particular areas where specific controls are required.

All the comments received will be considered in preparing the new regional pest

management plan. All pest management programmes in the new plan will be subject

to a cost benefit analysis as required by the Biosecurity Act 1993. The new proposed

plan will be made available for public submissions. Auckland Council will hold

hearings and then make decisions on the plan. Submitters will have the opportunity

to appeal those decisions to the Environment Court. Once any appeals are resolved,

or if no appeals are lodged, the new plan will come into effect.

There are consultation questions and space for your response on the back pages of

this document.


9 Tuku korero ō whakaaro

Have your say on Pest Management in Auckland

You can have your say by:

Visiting the shape Auckland web page www.shapeauckland.co.nz

Sending an email to [email protected]

In person: Drop off at your local library, service centre or local board office

By post: Place your completed form in an envelope and send to freepost

address.

Regional Pest Management Plan,

Auckland Council,

Freepost Authority 238718,

Private Bag 92 300,

Auckland 1142

You can also view this document at your local library, service centre or local board;

online at shapeauckland.co.nz; or request a copy by calling 09 301 0101

Ka mutu tēnei kōrerorero a te Paraire 27 o Whiringa-ā-rangi 2015

This consultation closes on Friday 27 November 2015.

http://www.shapeauckland.co.nz/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.shapeauckland.co.nz/


Rārangi Kupu

Glossary

Animal Any mammal, bird, fish, reptile or other vertebrate; any insect or other

invertebrate. Any living organism, except a plant, micro-organism or a

human being.

Animal pest An animal declared a pest in a national or regional pest management plan.

Bacterium Bacterium (plural: bacteria) constitute a large domain of microorganisms.

Typically a few micrometres in size, bacteria were among the first life forms

to appear on Earth, and are present in most of its habitats. Bacteria can be

pathogens of plants and animals.

Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all habitats, including terrestrial,

marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological systems of which

they are part of. This includes diversity within species, between species and

of ecosystems.

Biological control Applying a natural enemy that will prey upon or adversely affect a pest with

the intention of reducing the level of infestation of the pest.

Costs and benefits Costs and benefits of any kind, whether monetary or non-monetary.

Disease A disease is an impairment of the normal state of an organism that

interrupts or modifies its vital functions. All species of plants, wild and

cultivated alike are subject to disease.

Distribute To propagate, offer for sale or sell, transport, release or in any way spread a

pest, whether for commercial gain or not. Distribution has a corresponding

meaning.

Ecosystems A dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and

their non-living environment, interacting as a functional unit.

Effects Unless the context otherwise requires, the term ‘effects’

(a) includes the following, regardless of scale, intensity, duration or

frequency:

(i) a positive or adverse effect; and

(ii) a temporary or permanent effect; and

(iii) a past, present or future effect; and

(iv) a cumulative effect that arises over time or in combination

with other effects; and

(b) also includes the following:

i. a potential effect of high probability; and

ii. a potential effect of low probability that has a high potential impact.

Environment Includes:

(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and their

communities; and

(b) all natural and physical resources; and

(c) amenity values; and


(d) the aesthetic, cultural, economic and social conditions that affect or

are affected by any matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c).

Eradication To reduce the infestation level of a pest to zero levels in an area in the short

to medium term.

Exclusion To prevent the establishment of a pest or group of pests.

Exotic plant Introduced plants that are not native to New Zealand.

Hauraki Gulf

Controlled Area

That part of the Hauraki Gulf within the Auckland region.

High potential threat

species

Any plant or animal species that poses a high level of threat to economic,

conservation or human health values in the Auckland region.

Incursion A recent occurrence of a plant or animal species previously unknown in the

given area. Usually refers to highly invasive species.

Inoculum A pathogen or its parts which can cause infection when transferred to

another favourable location or host.

Kaitiaki Guardian, care giver.

Management agency The body specified as the management agency in a pest management plan

or a pathway management plan.

Mauri The essential quality and vitality of a being or entity.

National Pest Plant

Accord

A cooperative agreement between Nursery and Garden Industry New

Zealand, regional councils and government departments with biosecurity

responsibilities, to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest

plants where horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the

plant in New Zealand.

National Policy

Direction

The direction approved under section 57 of the Biosecurity Act 1993. Its

purpose is to ensure pest management plans provide the best use of

available resources and align with one another, when necessary.

See section 2 and Part 5 of that Act.

Occupier (a) in relation to any place physically occupied by any person, means that person; and

(b) in relation to any other place, means the owner of the place; and (c) in relation to any place, includes any agent, employee, or other

person, acting or apparently acting in the general management or control of the place.

Oranga Welfare, well-being.

Organism Organism:

(a) does not include a human being or a genetic structure derived from a human being;

(b) includes a microorganism; (c) subject to paragraph (a), includes a genetic structure that is capable

of replicating itself (whether that structure comprises all or only part of an entity, and whether it comprises all or only part of the total genetic structure of an entity);

(d) includes an entity (other than a human being) declared by the Governor-General by Order in Council to be an organism for the purposes of the Biosecurity Act 1993;

(e) includes a reproductive cell or developmental stage of an organism; (f) includes any particle that is a prion.

Pathogen An infectious agent such as a virus, bacterium, prion, fungus, viroid or

parasite that causes disease in its host. The host may be an animal, a plant,

a fungus or even another microorganism.


Pest An organism specified as a pest in a national or regional pest management

plan.

Pest plant A plant that has been declared a pest in a national or regional pest

management plan.

Progressive

containment

To contain or reduce the geographic distribution of a pest to an area over

time.

Propagation To grow new plants from seeds or from pieces cut from an existing plant, or

to make a plant produce more plants.

Plant Any grass, tree, shrub, herb, flower, nursery stock, culture, vegetable, or

other vegetation, and also includes the fruit, seed, spore, portion or product

of any plant. Includes all aquatic plants.

Regional Pathway

Management Plan

A plan for the prevention or management of the spread of harmful

organisms made under Part 5 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

See the interpretation and Part 5 of that Act.

Regional Pest

Management Plan

A regional plan for the eradication or effective management of a particular

pest or pests made under Part 5 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

See the interpretation and Part 5 of that Act.

Research organism An organism which is to be investigated or have research carried out on it to

determine if it will be declared a pest under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Rohe Region.

Rule A rule included in a pest management plan in accordance with section 73 of

the Biosecurity Act 1993. A breach of a rule constitutes an offence under

the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Secure confinement Means to keep an organism in a facility or structure that effectively prevents

the escape or passage of that organism.

Sell Includes barter; and also includes offering, exposing, or attempting to sell,

or having in possession for sale, or sending or delivery for sale, causing or

allowing to be sold, offered, or exposed for sale, and also includes any

disposal whether for valuable consideration or not. ‘Sale’ has a

corresponding meaning.

Site led pest

programme

A pest programme that contains, reduces or controls the pest(s) within a

place to an extent that protects the values of that place.

Sustained control To provide for the ongoing control of a pest to reduce its impacts on values

and its spread to other properties.

Taonga Culturally valuable objects, resources, phenomena, ideas and techniques.

Te ao Māori The Māori world [view].

Te ngahere The bush, forest.

Wāhi tapu Sacred place.

Wai māori Fresh water.

Whenua Land.

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/grow

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/new

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/plant_1

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/seed_1

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/piece_1

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/cut_1

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/existing


http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/make_1


http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/produce_1



Āpitihanga tuatahi: Ngā tupu orotā i te wā nei

Appendix one: Current plant pests

Common name Scientific name Current management

programme (applies

throughout region unless

otherwise stated)

African club moss Selaginella kraussiana Surveillance

African feather grass Cenchrus macrourus syn.

Pennisetum macrourum

Total control

African love grass Eragrostis curvula Surveillance

African pig’s ear Cotyledon orbiculata Surveillance

Agapanthus (large forms) Agapanthus praecox syn. A. orientalis

(large forms only)

Surveillance

Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides Surveillance

Aristea Aristea ecklonii Surveillance

Artillery plant Lamium galeobdolon syn.

Galeobdolon luteum & Lamiastrum

galeobdolon

Surveillance

Arum lily Zantedeschia aethiopica Surveillance

Asiatic knotweed Fallopia japonica syn. Reynoutria

japonica , F. sachalinensis & hybrids

syn. R. sachalinensis

Total control

Asparagus species Asparagus drepanophyllus & A.

umbellatus

Total control

Australian sedge Carex longebrachiata Containment (boundary

control) in rural areas and

Containment (removal) in

mapped area of Clevedon

and Surveillance elsewhere

Baccharis Baccharis halimifolia Surveillance

Balloon vine & Small

balloon vine

Cardiospermum grandiflorum &

C. halicacabum

Total control

Banana passionfruit Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, P.

mixta & P. tarminiana

Surveillance

and

Community Initiative

Barberry Berberis glaucocarpa Surveillance

Bartlettina Bartlettina sordida Surveillance

and


Bathurst bur Xanthium spinosum Containment (removal) on all

sheep, cattle and cropping

farms and

Surveillance elsewhere

Blackberry (wild

aggregates)

Rubus fruticosus agg. Surveillance

Bladderwort species Utricularia arenaria, U. gibba, U. livida Surveillance



programme (applies


otherwise stated)

& U. sandersonii

Blue morning glory Ipomoea indica Surveillance and


Blue passion flower Passiflora caerulea Surveillance

Blue spur flower Plectranthus ecklonii & P. grandis Surveillance

Bog bean Menyanthes trifoliata Surveillance

Bolivian fuchsia Fuchsia boliviana Surveillance

Bomarea Bomarea multiflora syn. B. caldasii Surveillance

Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera Surveillance

Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Surveillance

Brazilian pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius Surveillance

Broomsedge Andropogon virginicus Total control

Brush cherry Syzygium australe Surveillance (Hauraki Gulf

islands)

Brush wattle Paraserianthes lophantha Surveillance and


Buddleia Buddleja davidii Surveillance

Bur daisy Calotis lappulacea Surveillance

Burdock Arctium minus Surveillance

Bushy asparagus Asparagus aethiopicus syn. A.

densiflorus

Containment (removal)

Buttercup bush Senna septemtrionalis Surveillance (Hauraki Gulf

islands)

Californian bulrush Schoenoplectus californicus Surveillance

Cape honey flower Melianthus major Surveillance

Cape ivy Senecio angulatus Surveillance and


Cape sundew Drosera capensis Surveillance

Cape tulip Moraea flaccida syn. Homeria collina Surveillance

Carex Carex divulsa Surveillance

Castor oil plant Ricinus communis Surveillance

Cathedral bells Cobaea scandens Total control

Cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati Surveillance

Caulerpa Caulerpa taxifolia Surveillance

Chilean flame creeper Tropaeolum speciosum Surveillance

Chilean glory creeper Eccremocarpus scaber Surveillance

Cilean needle grass Nassella neesiana Total control

Chilean rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria Surveillance

Clasped pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus Surveillance

Clematis flammula Clematis flammula Surveillance

Climbing asparagus Asparagus scandens Surveillance and Community

Initiative

Climbing dock Rumex sagittatus Surveillance

Climbing gloxinia Lophospermum erubescens Surveillance



programme (applies


otherwise stated)

Climbing spindle berry Celastrus orbiculatus Total control

Coast banksia Banksia integrifolia Surveillance

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Surveillance

Cotoneaster Cotoneaster glaucophyllus &

C. franchetii

Surveillance

Crack willow Salix x fragilis Surveillance and


Darwin’s barberry Berberis darwinii Surveillance

Devil’s fig Solanum torvum Total control

Devil’s tail Persicaria perfoliata syn. Polygonum

perfoliatum

Total control

Drooping prickly pear Opuntia monacantha Surveillance

Dusky coral pea Kennedia rubicunda Surveillance

Eel grass Vallisneria australis (syn. V.

gigantean & V. spiralis)

Surveillance

Egeria Egeria densa Total control (Great Barrier)


Elaeagnus Elaeagnus x reflexa Surveillance and


Elephant’s ear A. brisbanensis Surveillance

English ivy Hedera helix subsp. helix Surveillance

False tamarisk Myricaria germanica Surveillance

Fire tree Myrica faya Surveillance

Firethorn Pyracantha angustifolia Surveillance

Formosa lily Lilium formosanum Surveillance

Fringed water lily Nymphoides peltata Surveillance

German ivy Delairea odorata syn. Senecio

mikanioides

Surveillance and


Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Surveillance

Giant reed Arundo donax Surveillance and


Goat’s rue Galega officinalis Surveillance

Gorse Ulex spp. Containment (boundary



and Community Initiative

Great reedmace Typha latifolia Total control

Green cestrum Cestrum parqui Total control

Grey willow Salix cinerea Surveillance and


Guinea grass Megathyrsus maximus syn. Panicum

maximum

Surveillance

Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus Surveillance

Hawkweed All Hieracium spp. Surveillance



programme (applies


otherwise stated)

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Surveillance

Heather Calluna vulgaris (excluding double

flowered cultivars)

Surveillance

Hemlock Conium maculatum Surveillance

Himalayan honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa Surveillance and


Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum Surveillance

Horsetail All Equisetum spp. Surveillance

Houttuynia Houttuynia cordata Total control

Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata Surveillance

Iceplant Carpobrotus edulis & hybrids Surveillance

Italian arum Arum italicum Surveillance

Italian jasmine Jasminum humile Surveillance

Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Surveillance and


Japanese spindle tree Euonymus japonicus Surveillance

Jasmine Jasminum polyanthum

Surveillance and


Johnson grass Sorghum halepense Surveillance

Kangaroo acacia Acacia paradoxa Surveillance

Khasia berry Cotoneaster symondsii syn. C.

simonsii

Surveillance

Kudzu vine Pueraria lobata syn. P. montana Total control

Lagarosiphon, Oxygen

weed

Lagarosiphon major Surveillance

Lantana Lantana camara

Total control (rural areas) and


Lizard’s tail Saururus cernuus Surveillance

Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta Surveillance

Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia Total control in High

Conservation Value sites



Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas Surveillance

Manchurian wild rice Zizania latifolia Total control

Marshwort Nymphoides geminata Total control

Mexican daisy Erigeron karvinskianus Surveillance

Mexican feather grass Nassella tenuissima Total control

Mexican water lily Nymphaea mexicana Surveillance

Mickey Mouse plant Ochna serrulata Surveillance

Mile-a-minute Dipogon lignosus Surveillance and


Mist flower Ageratina riparia Surveillance

Monkey apple Syzygium smithii syn. Acmena smithii Surveillance and



programme (applies


otherwise stated)


Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Surveillance

Montpellier broom Genista monspessulana syn. Teline

monspessulana

Surveillance

Moth plant Araujia hortorum syn. Araujia

sericifera

Containment (removal) in

mapped zones of Waitākere,

Hunua, North Shore and

Hauraki Gulf islands and

Surveillance elsewhere and


Nardoo Marsilea mutica Surveillance

Nassella species Nassella spp. Surveillance

Nassella tussock Nassella trichotoma Total control

Needle grass Austrostipa rudis Total control

Nodding thistle Carduus nutans Containment (removal)

Noogoora bur Xanthium strumarium syn.

occidentale

Surveillance

Norfolk Island hibiscus Lagunaria patersonia Surveillance

Nutgrass Cyperus rotundus Surveillance

Old man’s beard Clematis vitalba Total control

Oxylobium Callistachys lanceolata Surveillance

Palm grass Setaria palmifolia Surveillance

and


Pampas grass Cortaderia jubata & C. selloana Surveillance and


Paperbark poplar Melaleuca quinquenervia Surveillance

Parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum Surveillance

Pennisetum (now

Cenchrus) species

(except kikuyu grass and

pearl millet)

All Pennisetum spp., now Cenchrus

spp. (except P. clandestinum, now C.

clandestinus & P. glaucum, now C.

americanus)

Surveillance

Perennial nettle Urtica dioica Surveillance

Periwinkle Vinca major Surveillance

Phoenix palm Phoenix canariensis Surveillance

Phragmites Phragmites australis Surveillance

Pitted crassula Crassula multicava Surveillance

Plectranthus Plectranthus ciliatus Surveillance

Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthoides Surveillance

Port Jackson fig Ficus rubiginosa Surveillance

Privet Ligustrum lucidum & L. sinense Surveillance and


Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Total control

Pyp grass Ehrharta villosa Surveillance



programme (applies


otherwise stated)

Queensland poplar Homalanthus populifolius Surveillance

Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris syn. Senecio

jacobaea

Containment (boundary


Surveillance elsewhere and


Reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima Surveillance

Rhamnus Rhamnus alaternus

Total control (Hauraki Gulf

Controlled Area) and

Containment in mapped

mainland coastal zone and

Surveillance elsewhere in

region and Community

Initiative

Rhus tree Toxicodendron succedaneum syn.

Rhus succedanea

Surveillance

Rough tree fern Cyathea cooperi Surveillance

Royal fern Osmunda regalis Total control

Saffron thistle Carthamus lanatus Surveillance

Sagittaria species All Sagittaria spp. (except S. teres) Total control

Salvinia Salvinia molesta Surveillance

Scrambling lily Geitonoplesium cymosum Total control

Senegal tea Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Total control

Sexton’s bride Rhaphiolepis umbellata Surveillance

Sheep’s bur Acaena agnipila Surveillance

Skeleton weed Chondrilla juncea Surveillance

Smilax Asparagus asparagoides Containment (removal) on

Great Barrier island and in

mapped zone of Waitākere



Snow poppy Eomecon chionantha Surveillance

Spanish heath Erica lusitanica Surveillance

Spartina Spartina alterniflora, S. anglica & S. x

townsendii

Total control (Waitematā and

Manukau harbours and east

coast waterbodies) and


Spiny broom Calicotome spinosa Surveillance

Strangling fig Ficus microcarpa Surveillance

Sweet briar Rosa rubiginosa Surveillance

Sweet pea shrub Polygala myrtifolia (excl. cv.

‘Grandiflora’)

Surveillance

Sweet pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Surveillance

Tasmanian ngaio Myoporum insulare including hybrids Surveillance

Tradescantia Tradescantia fluminensis Surveillance and



programme (applies


otherwise stated)


Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima Surveillance

Tuber ladder fern Nephrolepis cordifolia

Surveillance


Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum Surveillance

Variegated thistle Silybum marianum Containment (removal)

Velvet groundsel Roldana petasitis syn. Senecio

petasitis

Surveillance

Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes Surveillance

Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes Surveillance

Water poppy Hydrocleys nymphoides Total control

Water primrose Ludwigia peploides subsp.

montevidensis

Surveillance

White bryony Bryonia cretica Surveillance

White-edged nightshade Solanum marginatum Total control

Wild broom Cytisus scoparius (excl. cultivated

varieties)

Total control (rural areas)


Wild ginger Hedychium gardnerianum & H.

flavescens

Containment (removal) on

Great Barrier and in mapped

areas of Waitākere and Hunua



Wild kiwifruit Actinidia species (wild varieties only) Containment in natural

habitats throughout region

Woolly nightshade Solanum mauritianum

Containment (removal) on

Great Barrier and in mapped

areas of Waitākere and

Containment (boundary

control) elsewhere and


Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus Surveillance

Yellow water lily Nuphar lutea Surveillance


Āpitihanga tuarua: Ngā kararehe orotā i te wā nei

Appendix two: Current animal pests


programme

Invertebrates

Argentine ant Linepithema humile Declared pest across the region

Asian paper wasp Polistes chinensis Declared pest across the region

Australian paper

wasp

Polistes humilis Declared pest across the region

Common wasp Vespula vulgaris Declared pest across the region

German wasp Vespula germanica Declared pest across the region

Freshwater Fish

Brown bullhead catfish Ameiurus nebulosus syn. Ictalurus

nebulosus

Declared pest across the region

Gambusia Gambusia affinis


Gudgeon Gobio gobio


Koi carp Cyprinus carpio


Marron Cherax tenuimanus & C.

quadracarinatus


Orfe Leuciscus idus Declared pest across the region

Perch Perca fluviatilis

Declared pest in high conservation

value water bodies and their

catchments

Rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus Declared pest in high conservation


catchments

Tench Tinca tinca Declared pest in high conservation


catchments

Reptiles

Bearded dragon Pogona barbata syn. Amphibolurus

barbatus


when not held in secure containment

Blue-tongued skink Tiliqua scincoides & T. nigrolutea Surveillance throughout region

Eastern water dragon Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii



Red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta elegans Declared pest across the region


Shingleback lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus syn. Declared pest across the region



programme

Tiliqua rugosa when not held in secure containment

Mammals

Feral cat Felis catus Declared pest across the region

Feral deer Cervus, Axis, Dama, Odocoileus, or

Elaphurus spp. including any hybrid


Feral goat Capra hircus feral Declared pest across the region

Feral pig Sus scrofa Declared pest across the region

Ferret Mustela furo Declared pest across the region

Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus occidentalis Declared pest across the region

Magpie Gymnorhina spp. Declared pest across the region

Mouse Mus musculus Declared pest in Hauraki Gulf

Controlled Area

Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Declared pest across the region

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus Declared pest across the region

Rats (Ship and

Norway rat and Kiore2)

Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus

and Rattus exulans


Stoat Mustela erminea Declared pest across the region

Wallabies Macropus, Petrogale or Wallabia

spp.


Weasel Mustela nivalis vulgaris Declared pest across the region

Birds

Myna Acridotheres tristis Declared pest across the region

Rook Corvus frugilegus Declared pest across the region

Sulphur-crested

cockatoo

Cacatua galerita Declared pest across the region

wherever it is not held in secure

confinement

2 Representatives of Ngāti Wai have stated that they regard Kiore as taonga. Kiore are present on some outer

off-shore islands in the Hauraki Gulf (e.g. Aotea). Auckland Council recommends consultation with mana whenua (including but not limited to Ngāti Wai) before any rat control that may impact on Kiore is undertaken.


Āpitihanga tuatoru: Ngā mahi rangahau koiora i te wā nei

Appendix three: Current research organisms

Plant species Common Name Scientific Name

Agapanthus (dwarf forms) Agapanthus spp. & cultivars & hybrids

Alder Alnus glutinosa

Bangalow palm Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

Bead tree Adenanthera pavonina

Bear’s breeches Acanthus mollis

Brazilian rattlebox Sesbania punicea

Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora

Century plant Agave americana

Chilean rhubarb Gunnera manicata

Chinese fan palm Trachycarpus fortunei

Chocolate vine Akebia quinata

Cretan brake Pteris cretica

Dally pine Psoralea pinnata

Feral olives Olea europaea

Furcraea species Furcraea spp.

Guava Psidium guajava & P. cattleianum

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica

Marram grass Ammophila arenaria

Moreton Bay fig Ficus macrophylla

Porcelain berry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Queen of the night Cestrum nocturnum

Queensland umbrella tree Schefflera actinophylla

Silky acacia Albizia julibrissin

Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus

Sydney golden wattle Acacia longifolia

Taiwan cherry Prunus campanulata

Wild tamarind Leucaena leucocephala

Wongawonga vine Pandorea pandorana


Animal species Common Name Scientific Name

Bearded dragon Amphibolurus barbatus syn. Pogona barbata

Darwin’s ant Doleromyrma darwiniana

Eastern water dragon Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii

Feral peafowl Pavo cristatus

Galah Cacatua roseicapilla

Hare Lepus europaeus

Rainbow skink (now Plague skink) Lampropholis delicata

Red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta elegans

Shingleback lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus syn. Tiliqua rugosa

Tree frog Litoria species


Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan consultation

questions:

Ngā kawenga o Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Council’s role in

pest management:

Q1: What should Auckland Council’s role be in pest management?

Ngā take tupu kīrearea - Pest plant issues:

Q2: What plant species should be added or removed from the regional pest

management plan?

Q3: How should council manage pest plant species?

Ngā take kīrehe kīrearea - Pest animal issues

Q4: What animal species should be added or removed from the regional pest

management plan?


Q5: How should council manage pest animal species?

Whakahaere kīrearea i Tikapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi me ngā kīrearea waitai

Pest management in the Hauraki Gulf and marine

Q6: How should the special nature of Tikapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi - the

Hauraki Gulf be reflected in the new regional pest management plan?

Q7: How might the issue of marine pests be addressed?

Whakahaere ngā take kīrearea - The future of pest control

Q8: How can the council best continue to support pest management community

groups?

Q9: Do you have any additional comments on pest management in the Tāmaki

Makaurau – Auckland region?

Need more room? You can attach extra pages, but please make sure they are A4,

and also include your name and contact information

auckland regional pest management plan...

Documents