Pest plants and animals
Pests damage our indigenous plants and animals, making it more difficult for them to thrive and survive.
Pest plants
Nearly 2000 introduced plant species are now established in the New Zealand wild – that's more than the number of native plants. Of these, more than 200 species have the potential to destroy native plant ecosystems.
Landcare Research scientists estimate more than 25 million native birds are killed annually by imported predators. To help combat this Greater Wellington Regional Council engages in systematic trapping and poisoning in Kāpiti, as do some community groups and landowners.
We control pest animals and invasive weed species as part of managing ecologically significant sites, parks and reserves. We also provide support, assistance and advice to landowners with ecological sites identified on their properties.
Species of particular concern include boneseed, German ivy, Cape ivy, English ivy, blue morning glory, tradescantia, wattle, Japanese honeysuckle, pampas, banana passionfruit, arum lily, Old Man's Beard, blackberry, cotoneaster, marram grass and climbing asparagus.
Argentine ants
The Greater Wellington Regional Council has statutory responsibility for controlling pest plants and pest animals (such as Argentine ants), throughout the Wellington Region. For information and advice contact GWRC’s Biosecurity team by phoning 0800 496734 or visit the Greater Wellington website.
Canada geese
The number of Canada geese in Kāpiti has been growing, particularly at Awatea Lakes and Otaraua Park. Flocks of up to 270 birds have been counted, and at times there are significant geese droppings in parks and sports fields.
These droppings can carry diseases such as avian influenza, campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and salmonella, and large populations can foul waterways.
Our community has raised concerns about the number of geese in Kāpiti and their impact on public spaces, including sports fields and parks. As a result, we’ve been taking steps to control this population, and reduce the health risk for people using our public spaces.
We’re continuing to monitor geese numbers and the effectiveness of population control. Future population control will be considered for rural or semi-rural areas, but for safety reasons will not be carried out in urban areas.
This does not mean there will be no Canada geese in Kāpiti going forward. Our approach is to control the population, rather than eradicate them.