- By Pest Free Howick Ward project manager Abi Cunninghame
Pest Free Howick Ward’s recent Moth Plant Pod Competition has concluded with astounding results, highlighting the community’s growing dedication to preserving New Zealand’s natural environment.
This year, the community’s efforts have surpassed all expectations, demonstrating a deep commitment to tackling the invasive moth plant weed.
The final tally was impressive: 68,548 pods and 59,559 small vines were collected, amounting to an estimated 2,132,584,600 moth plant pod seeds that will no longer threaten our native ecosystems.
A notable highlight this year was the increased attention given to small vines and seedlings, in addition to the more visible pods.
While pods are an obvious target, the real threat lies in the young seedlings and small vines. Moth plant vines can be deceptively resilient.
When young, they may seem harmless, but they rapidly establish themselves, twining around native plants and strangling them as they grow.
By focusing on removing these small vines, we intercept the weed early in its life cycle, preventing it from reaching maturity and producing tens of thousands of seeds.
This not only reduces the immediate spread of the moth plant but also lessens the long-term burden on our ecosystems, giving native species a better chance to thrive.
The success of the competition is also attributed to the high engagement from all age groups, especially the continued participation of high school teams who started their journey in primary school.
This continuity reflects a sustained commitment to environmental stewardship among our youth.
Our top preschool was Cascades Kindergarten, collecting 4,438 pods.
In the open category, and also topping the primary school category, the Pakuranga Heights Pod Squad led the way with an incredible 35,811 pods and small vines.
Such dedication from our young participants is truly inspiring.
We deeply appreciate the hard work and commitment of all participants.
The collective efforts of our community in targeting both pods and small vines make a significant impact on controlling the moth plant weed, ensuring a healthier environment for our native species.
Together, we are making a remarkable difference in protecting our environment. Thank you for your ongoing support and participation!
And a huge thank you to the Howick Local Board for their continued support and funding for the annual Moth Plant Pod Competition.
