Banks Peninsula Weeders for Nature

10/12/2025

What is frilling you say? Find out how a group of friends has "frilled" 3 forestry plantations of over 12,000 macrocarpa trees allowing slow light to transform the areas into thriving native forest.

Podcast Episode · Rewilding In Action · 30/10/2025 · 26m

07/12/2025

Our very own local legend Hugh, here talking about the use of w**ds to transform Hinewai into a thriving native ecosystem.

A Way with Weeds: Rewilding on Hinewai Reserve on tonight's episode of Rewilding in Action

Botanist Dr Hugh Wilson from Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula is arguably Aotearoa’s father of Rewilding.

Hugh is best known for showing us that gorse can be an effective nursery plant for native forest to naturally regenerate through. But this episode isn’t about gorse – instead Maureen talks to Hugh about what he and his team are doing with all the other w**ds on Hinewai Reserve.

Tune in this evening at 6pm, or catch the podcast later from:
▶️ OAR FM Website: https://oar.org.nz/shows/rewilding-in-action/
Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and other great podcast providers.

This episode of Rewilding in Action is supported by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust.
For more information go to www.roddonaldtrust.co.nz

CAMA - Community Access Media Alliance | NZ On Air

07/12/2025

Need some inspiration for your conservation project? Enjoy this informative interview with some of Banks Peninsulas most thorough w**d busters!

Podcast Episode · Rewilding In Action · 16/10/2025 · 27m

01/11/2025

🕊️ Spotted up the Grehan Valley!

How cool is this — a kērerū happily munching away on broom flowers! They must be pretty tasty 😄

While broom is a w**d, it’s one of the better ones in terms of biodiversity.

Much like gorse, it can shade out grass, provide food and perches for birds, and create a sheltered spot where native seedlings can establish — especially when birds like this one help by pooping out seeds beneath it.

20/10/2025

🌿 A glimpse of the beauty we’re working to protect!

Here are just a few of the stunning native plants we’ve spotted during the first few weeks of the Grehan Valley Catchment Weeding Project:
✨ Bush lawyer in full bloom
✨ Green hooded orchids
✨ Lush ferns and vibrant understory

These are just a small glimpse of the wonderful biodiversity we’re helping to protect from invasive w**ds — every w**d removed makes space for our natives to thrive

01/10/2025

🌿 “What’s Old Man’s Beard, you may wonder?” 🌿

It’s an invasive nasty vine, that spreads super-fast and can smother native trees and shrubs.

Left unchecked, it can take over whole areas of bush, blocking sunlight and killing our natives.

That’s why the Grehan Valley Catchment Weeding Project is tackling it as our top priority.

📅 Stay tuned for updates on volunteer days, educational workshops, and progress stories from the valley.

28/09/2025

By controlling invasive, fast-spreading w**ds, such as Old Man’s Beard, the Grehan Valley Catchment Weeding Project benefits everyone, helping to protect forest health on a wider scale.

Stopping the spread of invasive seeds to protected reserves such as Hinewai and Currys Purple Peak.

Check out the amount of wind blown seeds on this Old Man’s Beard.

22/09/2025

Wilding Pine time again - got these on just a quick walk.

21/09/2025

🌿 Introducing the Grehan Valley Catchment Weeding Project! 🌿

We are a newly formed community-led initiative with the goal to protect Grehan Valleys regenerating forest and nearby reserves' biodiversity (such as Hinewai and Currys Purple Peak Reserves) from invasive w**ds - focusing on Old Man's Beard - in the Grehan Valley Catchment.

This project is made possible thanks to funding from Christchurch City Council 🏞️. Thank you for supporting the protection of our local ecosystems!

💪 50% of our work relies on volunteers – local residents, businesses, and organisations are vital to our success. By joining us, you’re helping the health of Grehan Valley’s forests, nearby reserves, and the wider Banks Peninsula.

Follow us for:
✨ Volunteer day updates
✨ Conservation news and education on invasive w**ds
✨ Stories of success from the valley

Join us in protecting the future of our forests!

29/11/2024

Taking down a sneaky wilding pine that has managed to escape our previous searches until just recently! So satisfying 😊

27/11/2024

A new invader to look out for Great Willowherb. If you see this plant, please report it to the council as described in this link. We want to control it before it becomes a bigger issue.

Keep your eyes peeled for the local invasive plant, great willowherb and report any sightings to us.

17/10/2024

We were in hibernation over winter and missed Pigs Ear being w**d of the month.... so, we are sharing now!

Pigs Ear is being talked about more and more and this is great! Raising awareness about invasive w**ds is really important.

Pigs Ear seems harmless when it resides in a garden, but unfortunately it doesn't stay just in the garden and now it is spreading throughout our precious, rocky outcrops and taking over native species habitat. It's so prolific that it also takes over farmland.

Check out this poster and if you have any of it on your property, please remove it (all roots, stems, leaves need to be removed and disposed of safely in landfill), or if it is a bigger infestation spraying maybe necessary. Ask for help if you need it.