BIOSECURITY ACTIVITY - PLANTS - Horizons Regional Council
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BIOSECURITY ACTIVITY - PLANTS
1 Biosecurity Plants
1.1 Overview
1.1.1 This report is to update Council on the progress of programmes giving effect to the Regional Pest
Management Plan (RPMP) and other works, according to the 2018-19 Pest Plant Operational Plan
approved by Council during the reporting period 1 February 2019 to 31 March 2019.
1.1.2 Another two months of relatively settled weather has allowed staff and their contractors’ good
access and conditions for search and control; staff report that historic sites are diminishing. We
participated in the Central Districts Field Days and combined with the communications staff for a
trip and lesson with two country schools to one of our successful biological control agent nursery
sites. We received 47 pest plant related enquiries and responded to 96% within the required
timeframe. Staff inspected our velvetleaf infected paddocks with no detections found.
Table 1 Long-term Plan performance measures (2018)
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR LEVELS OF SERVICE 2018-19
Any exclusion category pest plants that are found in the
Exclusion category pest plants are found in the Region
Region are promptly managed.
An initial response plan will be completed within 2 weeks
Any exclusion category pest plants that are found in the
of finding these.
Region are promptly managed.
Response plan enacted (if not enacted before 2 weeks).
Number of managed sites at zero-levels increases for pest
Overall % of managed sites at zero-levels increases by
plants identified for eradication in the Regional Pest
10%
Management Plan.
Number of managed sites at zero-levels increases for pest
Overall % of managed sites at zero-levels increases by
plants identified as progressive containment - mapped in
10%
the Regional Pest Management Plan.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR LEVELS OF SERVICE 2018-19
Financially support the national bio-control agent
development programme and report annually to Council Financial support provided and annual report to Council
on this programme.
Monitoring of some released biological agents will be
completed to assess establishment and host damage, 20 assessment plots will be monitored
using the national protocol.
Pest plant enquiries received are responded to within 95% of enquiries will be responded to within three
three working days. working days
2 Progress Report
2.1.1 Pest plant management is mandated under the Biosecurity Act (1993) and Horizons has chosen to
undertake management via a Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) as well as activities
detailed in an annual Operational Plan. These activities focus on transformative pest plants which,
if left uncontrolled or unmanaged, would reduce the value of the Region’s biodiversity and
productive capacity by either increasing the costs of traditional production or preventing it
entirely. This report overviews the work undertaken according to the Operational Plan structure
which features the RPMP programmes first, followed by the other programmes.
2.2 Exclusion Pest Plants
Activity Overview
2.2.1 For those pests that are in New Zealand but not in our Region, our goal is to prevent
establishment via the Exclusion programme. We aim to detect these pests before they become
widely established in the Region and facilitate a quick response through appropriate funding that
will enable the control or management of these species on rateable land.
2.2.2 Staff inspected potential locations which may harbour our target species: Californian bulrush,
Chilean needle grass, heath rush, humped bladderwort, Manchurian wild rice, Noogoora burr,
Phragmites australis, saffron thistle, Sagittaria platyphylla, sweet pittosporum and tussock
hawkweed. None were found.
2.3 Eradication Pest Plants
Activity Overview
2.3.1 High-risk species that we believe should be totally removed from the Region are managed via the
Eradication programme.
2.3.2 Species worked against this period: African feather grass, alligator weed, cathedral bells, Chilean
rhubarb, climbing spindleberry, knotweed, nassella tussock and woolly nightshade.
2.3.3 Staff are always on the lookout for new sites of our target pest plants as members of the public
are sometimes quite attached to their gardens and the pests within. The Pest Plant Team are well
served by knowledgeable staff from across the organisation; a recent example of this was
Biodiversity team member Ruth Fleeson spotting a wild Chilean rhubarb plant at Pukehoi, near
the Mangahao River. Pest plant staff controlled this site and then traced the origin back to a show
garden over the hill. This garden housed large numbers of plants. Plants were dug out and taken
to a burn pile in a nearby paddock.
Figure 1 The garden source of wilding Chilean rhubarb; befo re and after. (J.Keast)
Alligator weed
2.3.4 The excluded infection zone at Hikumutu, in Ruapehu District, has been sprayed recently to
control regrowth from the dug areas and knock back other vegetation to allow late season
surveillance.
2.3.5 On the strength of previous delimiting before the spray, the area excluded will be reduced by
approximately 15% next season. Our intention is to return as much of the area as possible to full
production as soon as we have proof of freedom. We are doing this by pushing back the more
recent and easier to control less dense and shallower rooted locations to the entrenched original
source.
2.3.6 Areas with the heaviest weed concentrations have been marked to monitor any new growth.
2.3.7 One site was found and controlled in Pond 2 of the Ruapehu District Council oxidation ponds.
Figure 2 Herbicide applied during February. (D.Alker)
2.4 Progressive Containment – mapped Pest Plants
Activity Overview
2.4.1 Where population levels or difficulty and expense of control prevent achievement of a Region-
wide zero-density objective, high-threat pest plant species will be managed under a Progressive
Containment objective. For each species managed this way, an active management zone is
defined within which the pest plant species will be controlled wherever it is found, as per the
Eradication designation.
2.4.2 Species worked against: Banana passionfruit, Darwin’s barberry, old man’s beard, Pinus contorta
and Pinus sylvestris.
2.4.3 Old man’s beard control has taken the majority of staff time this period, with control operations
from Manakau in the south through to Waimiha in the north. We currently have 2,274 sites under
active management and of these 1,566 (70%) are not seeding and expiring so control is much
reduced. The number of sites has increased by 344 this season due to surveillance finding new
sites and some larger sites being split to better capture the type of infestation. We will report final
figures for the season in next financial year’s Operational Plan. It is noted that these site numbers
reflect the presence in the areas we control.
2.5 Progressive Containment – un-mapped Production Pest Plants
Activity Overview
2.5.1 Production pests are managed using a mix of a clear land rule and a good neighbour rule. These
species are generally widespread but some parts of the Region are clear of them and it is
desirable to keep them clear. For occupiers of large land areas, farmers and organisations, we
have the ability to allow responsibility to be acknowledged and actions planned via Approved
Management Plans. The intent of these plans is to meet the objective of rules and contribute to
the outcomes of the RPMP by eradicating or reducing the spread of pests from the place(s)
occupied or managed by the Plan maker.
2.5.2 Species we dealt with during this reporting period were blackberry, gorse and tutsan.
2.5.3 We have received a small number of complaints across the Region, predominantly regarding
neighbours’ and roadside weeds. A subdivision adjacent to the Rangitikei River was the cause of
multiple complaints regards blackberry growing from the river corridor through a roadside fence.
The road is private but provides access to multiple parcels. Before LINZ can take responsibility an
undertaking called a status check is required. This costs many thousands of dollars and would not
be covered by LINZ; it also will take some months. Horizons will be assisting the land occupier to
address the immediate problems caused by the overgrowing vegetation.
Table 2 Good neighbour rule activity
Description Report period numbers
Boundary complaints received and actioned outside of 9
compliance
RTCs (Required to Clear) issued 1
NODs (Notice of Direction) issued 1
Notices resolved in this period 1 of 1
Crown and Local Territory Authority (TLA) engagement
2.5.4 Staff met with Treescape to firm up the content of what is required within an Approved
Management Plan for pest management in the rail corridor. Given the amount of pest plant
control required, both proactive good neighbour responsibilities and reactive responses to
complaints outside what is planned or budgeted for a given year, we are working towards a multi-
year management plan from 2019/20. The plan is to include stretches of track to be worked and
the pest species targeted. We are expecting a report on pest plant control within the rail corridor
for 2018/19. Kiwirail were also acknowledged for their financial assistance to the broom and
tutsan biological control projects.
2.5.5 The table below shows the progress of engagement with the local councils and the Crown, with
eight out of eleven councils and Crown agencies met with and agreement reached around pest
programmes.
2.5.6 Progress in having Approved Management Plans developed and agreed to has been slower than
expected; however, there is regular contact between Horizons and the appropriate staff in
councils and Crown agencies to encourage and guide them to develop and adopt the plans. Staff
turnover from four organisations has meant a delay in receiving plans and/or engaging with the
appropriate new staff member.
2.5.7 At the time of writing we are expecting a meeting with Higgins and New Zealand Transport
Agency representatives to discuss the benefit of creating an Approved Management Plan and the
annual requirement to report on pest plant management. Other agencies part way through
completing Approved Management Plans are; Ruapehu and Rangitikei District Councils and
Palmerston North City Council; and Horowhenua District has yet to reconnect given staff
turnover. We have received plans from Whanganui, Tararua and Manawatu District Councils.
Table 3 Progress towards an asset management plan ( AMP) or other liaison
Measure Reporting Period YTD Target %
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Actual
MOU/Liaison progress 2 1 1 4 0 0 8 11 73%
2.6 Response Activity
Activity Overview
2.6.1 The Response programme aims to provide immediate and effective assistance for all national or
regional biosecurity incursions and any transitions to long-term management.
Pea Weevil
2.6.2 We received the latest update on the Controlled area for pea weevil, which covers the lower
Tararua District and Wairarapa. The response is well on the way to eradicating pea weevil,
however the Controlled Area Notice currently in place remains in force and will continue through
the 2019-20 growing season.
2.6.3 The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) market access group advised that in order to declare
New Zealand free of pea weevil, New Zealand’s export customers require at least two years with
no detections of pea weevil. The last detections were in 2017-18 so a further round of trap crops
are planned for locations near these detections. Soak testing of peas from around the country is
being undertaken to check whether pea weevil has spread or re-introduced.
Velvetleaf
2.6.4 John Taylor and Rusty the velvetleaf detector dog were contracted to survey paddocks in early
March. The aim was to sniff out any late germinating velvetleaf plants within the cultivated higher
risk paddocks. Nothing was found in the paddocks in Whanganui, which was good news but not
surprising given the diminishing plant numbers in recent years due to zero seeding and farmer
vigilance. Two paddocks had been sown in maize, which is potentially very high risk for velvetleaf
management because detection and weed control can both be difficult with this crop. Both
paddocks were given top notch chemical weed control through the season and walked through,
with no plants detected. The fail-safe deployment of Rusty ensured the harvest was able to take
place with zero risk of distributing velvetleaf.
Figure 3 John Taylor with Rusty at an historic Whanganui velvetleaf location, followed by a well-
deserved wash prior to leaving the Region. (R.Sicely)Myrtle Rust
2.6.5 Myrtle rust was found again in Taumarunui. A staff member inspecting a ramarama plant
approximately 1 km from the previously found infection confirmed myrtle rust was present and
informed MPI as per the protocol.
Emerging Issue
2.6.6 A staff member provided soil samples last year to Landcare Research from the base of totara trees
across the Ruapheu District after many were noticed to be suffering die-back, which has been
happening for a few years. The results were not conclusive but point to a soil-borne fungus.
2.6.7 We have also recently had enquiry from farmers noticing the die-back effects and subsequently
MPI have now become involved. SPS Biosecurity Ltd, who are contracted to MPI, visited in late
March and took several samples comprising of soil and leaf or needles, and branches from two
sites – at Ongarue and at an Okaihae Road property where this die-back was first noticed. Results
were expected to be available in late April.
Figure 4 Totara near Taumarunui suffering from die-back that is more than likely caused by a fungus.
(D.Alker)2.7 Biological Control Activity
Overview
2.7.1 Many entrenched pest plants in the Region are now the target of our Biological Control
programme, which aims to assist the development of insects and diseases to control a wide range
of pest plants and to release, distribute and monitor those within the Region.
2.7.2 Bioagent population releases were made of green thistle beetles, ragwort plume moth, Japanese
honeysuckle Hoonshu white admiral butterfly and the tutsan beetle.
2.7.3 The field horsetail weevil release sites were inspected by Landcare Research and staff. No agents
were found, which was disappointing. We are hopeful for establishment but, given the relatively
low rate of breeding and large areas of field horsetail, it may be some time before the effects are
noticeable and the weevils discoverable.
Figure 5 Lindsay Smith (LR) explaining what horsetail weevil damage should look like to Paul
Peterson (LR) and staff. (R.Sicely)2.8 Awareness and Promotion Activity
Activity Overview
2.8.1 The aim of the Awareness programme is to alert the community to the issues, threats and weed
management solutions.
2.8.2 Media picked up stories about our Region’s wilding pine control efforts and the Environmental
Protection Authority decision to allow the old man’s beard gall mite into New Zealand. Other
media has included the following Local Focus Videos:
Wilding Pines are a blanket of green - NZ Herald
Tree-mendous efforts pole axe pernicious pines - NZ Herald
2.8.3 The pest plant team received 47 enquires with the main topics being:
Production Blackberry and gorse
Zero-Density Old man’s beard and banana passionfruit
Non-Strategy Bamboo, privet, unknown plants
Frontlines: February and March 2019
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2 19 18 1 0 9
0
Production Zero-Density Freshwater Surveillance Non-Strategy
Graph 1 Pest plant enquiries summary - reporting period.
2.8.4 Staff were able to respond to 96% (c.f., 95% target) of all enquires logged in the Frontlines
database within the expected timeframe. We endeavour to address all enquires as soon as
practicable, however leave and out of office work programmes occasionally dictate staff
availability.2.8.5 One of our staff combined with our Environmental Educator and hosted 40 school children from
Tokirima and Matiere schools at a green thistle beetle nursery site. The topic of thistles and why
it’s important to control them led to a lesson on the biological control of weeds.
2.8.6 After being shown what to look for, the students all had a go at finding and collecting the beetles
and larvae. They did very well and a number were collected for them to release closer to their
schools, which will then allow ongoing monitoring by the children.
Figure 6 Dave Alker with school children from Tokirima and Matiere schools discovering all about
green thistle beetles. (S.Williams)3 Activity Summary
Project Key Deliverables YTD Progress
Work with partners and other
Wilding Conifer –
stakeholders re:
Central North Island Ministry of Primary Industries - Horizons contract signed,
1. Planning for management
Regional Steering partners’ variations signed. Work finished in Horizons area,
unit activity and reporting
Group (RSG) – Fund continues in all others.
2. Bi-annual meetings
holder and Chair
scheduled
Waimarino-
Coordinated control across
Tongariro National
public and private land to
Park Darwin’s Programme completed.
increase the protection of
barberry control
previously cleared areas.
programme
Weevil numbers from the rearing facility at Lincoln are
Support group activity with disappointingly low and those that are emerging are
Rangitikei Horsetail
population releases and coming in dribs and drabs, making sizeable population
Group
monitoring. batches hard to achieve. No weevils found this month, 10
adults introduced after summer breeding in containment.
Support group activity with
Tutsan Action A small number of releases have been made by Horizons
population releases and
Group staff. last meeting scheduled for 3 April.
monitoring.
Relationship between
parties maintained.
Memorandum of
Desert Road Successful meeting delivered three agencies using one
Understanding maintained
Invasive Legume contractor to undertake landscape-wide removal of target
and out-worked.
Control Group species with pro-rata payments. No update since.
Coordinated action in
priority areas is undertaken
against the target species.
Representing Horizons at
Freshwater Pest national forum to champion
Advocacy work started on 1 October at Lake Otamangakau
Partnership behaviour change and
and continues. Good partnership formed with Ngāti Rangi
Programme and freshwater pest protection.
volunteers for Ohakune-based events. Planning underway
Check, Clean, Dry Attendance at high-risk events
for last event of the season, the 1 Above T42 adventure
(CCD) advocacy and strong advocacy with the
race.
programme. main users of waterways in our
headwater areas.
Craig Davey
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
Rod Smillie
BIODIVERSITY, BIOSECURITY & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Jon Roygard
GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPSYou can also read
