Latest news with #NorthlandRegionalCouncil
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Madagascar ragwort spreads in Northland, posing threat to farms
Perennial Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis) can grow up to 50cm tall in ideal conditions, and has multiple branches, long leaves and many flowers. Photo / Supplied, Northland Regional Council By Monique Steele of RNZ The Northland Regional Council and farming groups are developing a plan to try to control an invasive weed known as the 'mad rag' or 'fireweed', amid fears it could spread to other regions. Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis), with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, is now considered
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Toxic 'superweed' spreading across Northland sparks concern for pastoral farming sector
Perennial Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis) can grow up to 50cm tall in ideal conditions, and has multiple branches, long leaves and many flowers. Photo: SUPPLIED/Northland Regional Council The Northland regional council and farming groups are developing a plan to try to control an invasive weed known as the "mad rag" or "fireweed", amid fears it could spread to other regions and even into the South Island. Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis) is a poisonous and sometimes fatal plant for livestock with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, now considered widespread in the Far North particularly on cattle farms. Dubbed the "fireweed" in Australia, that originated from southern Africa, adult plants could produce up to 10,000 seeds that could be viable for up to a decade, and germinated in as little as six weeks across most soil types. AgResearch principal scientist and weed management expert, Dr Trevor James said the plant suppressed other pasture species and spread by wind, posing many challenges for farmers and landowners trying to control it. "There is no easy way to manage it once it gets established, but the main problem is its toxicity to cattle and horses," James said. "Poisoning doesn't seem to be the problem per se, because stock don't eat it once they learn that it's horrible. "But poisoning could be a problem if it's made into hay and is fed out as hay or possibly silage and the poison toxins are still there." James said climate modelling showed it had the potential to go further afield of Northland. "And if climates get warmer and drier, definitely it has the potential to move further south ." Some fields along SH10 in the Far North are now dominated by Madagascar ragwort. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Farmers were being urged to get to know the weed, pull it out by hand and work with their neighbours to keep on top of it. Will Burrett, chief operating officer of Crown-owned Pāmu Farming formerly Landcorp Farming, said Madagascar ragwort was prevalent on its Northland farms. He said it resulted in lost production of up to 35 percent over seven years at its Rangiputa site, where it was costing on average up to $200 per hectare to control, in addition to the increased use of agrichemicals. "We've obviously got herbicide applications and we're trying to limit those as much as we can because we are starting to impact overall pasture production," Burrett said. "It is highly toxic, so we can spray out of paddock and then the fresh seedlings that re-sprout and come back through, if animals do graze those, they're highly toxic to their liver, so that does cause animal health considerations that we have to try and manage as well." He said Pāmu were actively trying to manage it by pulling the weeds out by hand as they came through, but it was such a "fast, prolific grower". "There's no silver bullet for this, and it's got a significant risk across the north in that it's been proven to have the ability to spread to other regions throughout Aotearoa in terms of the cattle systems and the dairy systems out there. It's a massive risk." Burrett said the next steps were about committing industry to a plan, to take to the biosecurity minister in the next month or two. Takou Bay farmer Ian Sizer studies an infestation of Madagascar ragwort. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Beef farmer Ian Sizer of Tākou River had dealt with the pest for around four years, and said it spread across a whole paddock within just four weeks on discovering the first plant. He spent up to two hours a day hand-weeding it to keep on top of it and maintain his herd's health. "It's everywhere. It's a problem all the way across our farm and of course, neighbouring farms, and we're all trying to do our part on containing it," Sizer said. "Part of my daily routine when I'm moving cattle is one eye is always kept on the Madagascar ragwort, and if I see it, the priority is to get off and hand-weed it." Sizer said it came at a significant cost to the business. "It's costing me probably in the region of $70,000 a year to try and deal with this, but the impact on farmers throughout the whole of New Zealand, it could easily be put into millions," he said. Sizer said there were very few effective herbicide for farmers, which had to change, and a collective, national approach to fast-track the development of longer-term biological controls was vital. The Northland Regional Council led a working group to address the challenge of controlling Madagascar ragwort, including the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation, as well as farming sector groups like Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Dairy NZ. A 2023 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research feasibility study for biocontrol of Madagascar ragwort found the potential agents used in Australia would be unsuitable in New Zealand. Jack Craw, chairman of the regional council's Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, said it had $20,000 allocated towards developing a business case for its long-term management and further research. He hoped industry groups would help co-fund the programme that would explore the use of biological controls such as beneficial insects for the long-term management. "We've highlighted this to the national level, and we believe it's something that the regional councils, plural, of New Zealand should be funding this, along with all the sector organisations." Madagascar ragwort grows up to 60cm tall and has yellow, daisy-like flowers. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf He said its spread outside of Northland was "inevitable", as the seeds travelled by wind, so a controlled area notice to restrict the movement of vehicles in and out of the region would be "a futile gesture". "There's probably no point in the Ministry for Primary Industries putting a controlled area notice on the upper half of Northland because even if we did, we can't inspect every single vehicle and then water blast them all. It's just not possible. "We need to focus much more on finding a long-term control solution for this weed." Madagascar ragwort was "a national issue," he said. "We've done the climate matching and this thing will grow as far south as Canterbury, and invade most pasture types." Farmers were not currently receiving any financial assistance for its control, he said. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the management of Madagascar ragwort would require a "collective effort", but the responsibility of long-term management of it in the north, where it was well-established, sat with the regional council. "A working group involving regional council and industry sector representatives has been established with the intention of identifying management options to mitigate the risk of further spread and to reduce known infestations," Hoggard said in a statement. "The working group will be developing a Madagascar ragwort action plan for the region. Nearby regions are involved in this too. "Biosecurity New Zealand and MPI's On Farm Support team will support this group." The matter would be discussed at the next regional biosecurity manager's forum, he said. Recent genomic DNA testing revealed the plant that many thought to be the similar endemic Gravel groundsel species, was the faster-spreading Madagascar ragwort. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
a day ago
- General
- Scoop
Follow Burning Rules, NRC Urges
Northlanders are being asked to follow the rules - and be courteous - or risk fines and other penalties as the pre-Winter burning season comes to an end. Group Manager - Regulatory Services, Colin Dall, says in a typical year roughly a quarter of all calls to the Northland Regional Council's 24/7 incident hotline (0800 504 639) involve complaints about burning and/or associated smoke nuisance. He says while for a long time the council had typically preferred to educate rather than take enforcement action, its approach had toughened in recent years as backyard burning continued to generate large numbers of complaints. The harder line also applies to those caught breaching the rules at industrial and trade premises. "Open burning at industrial or trade premises is not permitted under our Proposed Regional Plan and businesses breaching this rule are now more likely to receive a $1000 instant fine, rather than the warning they may have got previously." Mr Dall says burning on trade and industrial premises must be done in an "incineration device", which the Plan defines as: A device made from non-combustible materials designed to burn waste that: contains all embers and sparks has a grate and lid or spark arrestor, and is not used to generate energy. He says an open 44-gallon (170 litre) drum is not deemed to be an incineration device. "Those breaching the rules are liable for enforcement action which can range from instant fines of up to $1000, abatement notices and prosecution - the latter with the risk of much stiffer penalties - through the courts. Mr Dall says last year the council had issued 38 infringement notices ranging from $300 to $1000, 56 abatement notices and there had been two court-ordered enforcement orders for burning-related incidents. He says the council's Proposed Regional Plan effectively bans backyard burning in the more densely populated Whangārei urban area. "People living within the Whangārei city airshed - which is roughly bordered by Maunu, Onerahi, Tikipunga, Springs Flat and Hurupaki - can only burn some waste materials during the period from 01 September to 31 May the following year if the size of their property exceeds one hectare or they have a resource consent to burn." "Only waste that is paper, untreated wood, cardboard or vegetation can be burnt." Mr Dall says Northlanders outside the Whangārei urban area can still have outside fires, providing; they don't cause offensive or objectionable smoke or odour to neighbours if the fire is going to last for more than 24 hours and is within 100 metres of a smoke sensitive area, the person lighting it needs to notify all neighbours within 100 metres of the fire they don't obscure vision along a public road fires only contain waste that is paper, untreated wood, cardboard and vegetation (or animal remains where the burning is on agricultural land). (This ability to have fires obviously does not apply when restricted fire season or fire bans are in place.) Mr Dall says in general the regional council is keen to encourage alternatives to backyard burning (regardless of location) wherever possible. "Waste vegetation can be composted or mulched, larger branches can be used as firewood and paper and other materials can usually be recycled." If waste vegetation is being burnt, a lot of problems can be easily avoided just by ensuring it has been given plenty of time to dry out, rather than burning it green. However, Mr Dall says even if some burning is allowed, council rules and national regulations specifically ban the burning of some materials on health and environmental grounds. These include rubber tyres, coated metal wires, treated timber, plastic containers, motor vehicle parts and waste oil. Mr Dall says general information on the rules around backyard burning - including a more detailed map of the existing Whangārei airshed - is also available at:
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Finalists For Whakamānawa Ā Taiao
Finalists have been named for the sixth Northland Regional Council Whakamānawa ā Taiao - Environmental Awards which recognise individuals, groups and organisations helping to protect and improve Northland's environment. Council Chair Geoff Crawford says the 2025 awards are the first since the transition to a biennial event. (The previous awards were in 2023.) Chair Crawford says entering the Environmental Awards helps tell the story of the environmental work happening in Northland and shows that collectively we are making a difference. Finalists (in alphabetical order) are: Bay of Islands International Academy Bream Head Conservation Trust Reserve Revegetation Earth Buddies Hokianga Harbor Care Incorporated Society Hurupaki School India Clarke Jill Mortensen Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust Ngā Kaitiaki O Ngā Wai Māori Ngā Kaitiaki o te Ahi Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust - Te Pou Taiao Piroa Conservation Trust Project Island Song Roman Makara Te Kura O Hato Hohepa Te Kamura Te Runanga Nui O Te Aupouri- Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao Team The Love Bittern Project Tū Mai Rā Energy Northland Weed Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust Whangārei Girls' High School Award categories include: Environmental action in the community Environmental action to protect native life Environmental action in water quality improvement Environmental action in education Environmental leadership Youth environmental leader Kaitiakitanga Environmental action in business Environmental action to address climate change Chair Crawford says winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Waitangi on Thursday 26 June.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Northland Regional Council: Ratepayers Not Providing Huge Money Needed For Caulerpa Fight
Article – Susan Botting – Local Democracy Reporter The council would continue to work on the Government-funded $6.2 million development of the industrial-scale underwater tractor caulerpa removal tool in the Bay of Islands Omkiwi Cove until the end of 2025. Northland Regional Council says its ratepayers will not be putting up the huge amounts of money needed to continue the local and national $25 million fight against invasive caulerpa seaweed. Northland Regional Council (NRC) chair Geoff Crawford said his council had already put $1.25 million into the fight since the exotic pest was confirmed in the Bay of Islands in 2023. The council would continue to work on the Government-funded $6.2 million development of the industrial-scale underwater tractor caulerpa removal tool in the Bay of Islands Omākiwi Cove until the end of 2025. And there would be continued low-level ratepayer funding towards the council's active and important marine biosecurity surveillance and education roles for the next two years. But Crawford told an online Conquer Caulerpa Trust hui on Tuesday night (SUBS: May 27) that major funding was needed to continue the national caulerpa fight and the sort of money needed was not the regional council's role to provide. He said the question now became who would pay and how the battle was going to proceed. The fight against caulerpa was an expensive one. An NRC spend of $500,000 equated to a 1% regional council rates increase. Biosecurity New Zealand director of pest management John Walsh told the hui the Government had already put $24.9 million towards fighting caulerpa – 21/22 $1.2m, 22/23 $1.2m, 23/24 $8.5m and 24/25 $14m. But there was no Government spending for the 2025/2026 year that starts on July 1 outlined in his spend data provided to the hui. Crawford said later funding a major response such as caulerpa was not the council's role. That needed to be done by the Ministry for Primary Industries or co-funding with community-led groups such as Conquer Caulerpa. He said NRC had dug into its reserves to fund to date, so that ratepayers wouldn't be burdened, Walsh told the hui that although caulerpa was first confirmed in New Zealand at Aotea/Great Barrier Island in July 2021, it had been present there for several years prior to that. And the Bay of Islands' caulerpa confirmed at Te Rāwhiti almost two years later in May 2023, had in fact already been present when the pest seaweed was first confirmed at Great Barrier Island in 2021. The toxic seaweed, which competes with other species for space and affects the balance of local ecosystems, has spread to Northland, Auckland and Waikato since first being detected. NRC has played a key role in the battle against caulerpa for the last two years, pushing for and in part funding major innovation, surveillance, education and eradication efforts. This included the giant lawnmower-style unit being developed at Omākiwi Cove with an Opua-based marine company. Omākiwi Cove in the eastern Bay of Islands has been the epicentre of the caulerpa fight tool's development. The world-first underwater tractor is being developed with two other promising caulerpa fight tools – a rehabitat caulerapa chlorine treatment chamber and ultraviolet light treatment unit (for which a 40% bigger model was currently being manufactured in China). More than 70% of the Government's caulerpa spend this financial year has gone towards developing these tools. There were 437 people registered to attend the Northland-focused Conquer Caulerpa Trust hui. It was the first of its type in New Zealand with attendees from iwi, hapū, boating clubs, tourist operators, councils, universities, marine research institutes and community groups. A large swathe of Bay of Islands tourist operators registered for the event. More than two dozen iwi, hapū and/or marae from across Northland and the Hauraki Gulf were also among those registered to attend. But major technical issues with getting into the online meeting meant that only about a third attended and the meeting began almost 15 minutes late. Conquer Caulerpa chair Verdon Kelliher said caulerpa had the potential to permanently alter life in Te Tai Tokerau. It now covered about 280 rugby fields around 20 Bay of Islands locations. The seaweed could mean no boating, no fishing and/or no diving which would in turn impact many other businesses. 'That's what makes it a very serious thing,' Kelliher said. Growing concern over future fight funding comes as the problem seaweed continues its march. In the last couple of weeks it's been confirmed at Little Barrier Island, with the Government considering a fifth anchoring ban there to add to more than 12,000 hectares of coastline shut to boat anchoring, most sorts of fishing and/or kaimoana gathering. National exotic caulerpa national advisory group Te Tai Tokerau representative Natasha Clarke-Nathan (Patukeha, Ngati Kuta) said the seaweed was now found in Northland, Auckland and Waikato. She said it was important all people, across New Zealand, were singing from the same hymn sheet when it came to caulerpa. The battle was about kotahitanga. 'We have to do things together,' Clarke-Nathan said. She said the issues facing the Bay of Islands were part of the bigger picture for the whole country. Ngati Kuta ki Te Rawhiti charitable trust trustee Glenys Papanui (Ngati Kuta) said the goal was to eradicate caulerpa. The battle was not just about Ipipiri, the Bay of Islands. 'It's about all of our coastline,' Papanui said.
