Help keep the Wellington region as nature intended
Graffiti art at Chaffers Park makes the point. Stop the killers! Go Native!
Did you know that over 200 plants have become pests in our region?
They create a lot of problems, smothering native plant seedlings, strangling trees and cutting out food sources for native birds and insects.
The pest plants grow well in Wellington. They germinate quickly, seed easily and have deep roots.
They damage our region’s unique plant, fish and insect communities, ruining an environment that is like no other.
The Chaffers Park murals show it’s a battle of the bad guys and the good guys. Out with onion weed, Darwin’s Barberry, Cape Ivy, Japanese honeysuckle and buddleia! In with cabbage trees, ngaio, five-finger, sedge and bush lily.
Greater Wellington urges people to plant native this spring.
Native plants have evolved to suit our location over millions of years. They produce nectar and seeds that support our native birds. They are simple to maintain, go easy on water and can form an effective block against pests.
Greater Wellington’s Be the Difference programme puts the spotlight on pest plants in the garden in its latest biodiversity campaign. You may think they smell lovely, look pretty, but they’re natural born killers!
Caption: Photo: Clemenger BBDO
Caption: Darwin’s Barberry – one of the notorious varmints wanted for the murder of young natives.
Making a positive difference
Be the Difference helps residents make a positive difference to the environment of the whole Wellington region.
From the Kapiti Coast, across to the Wairarapa, down through the Hutt Valley into Wellington city, we enjoy a special range of plants, animals, river and sea life. Looking after our environment means we can walk, surf, fish, tramp and picnic in unspoilt beauty.
Through Be the Difference we can all help protect it.
Being part of Be the Difference means you will receive at least three mailings a year on various environmental issues like air and water quality, recycling, pest plants or nature restoration projects.
We’ll show you how to make small changes to your daily life that will really start to make a difference to your environment.
Over 12,000 households have joined already. You too can do it online at www.bethedifference.gw.govt.nz
Or you can join one of the many care groups that are restoring rivers and streams, wetlands and lakes, dunes and coastal cliffs.
Go to the Get Involved section of the website.
Many native plants grow better in some areas rather than others. In coastal areas like Raumati and Riversdale, pingao and ngaio grow well because they like sand. You can find the plants best-suited to your area in the biodiversity section of Be the Difference.