For Ōtorohanga dairy farmer and Waipā Rere Noa founding member Rosemary Davison, it’s a challenge that’s become increasingly visible as restoration efforts mature.
“We’ve done a fantastic job fencing waterways and creating these areas,” says Rosemary. “Now we’re realising we need to protect them for the future as well.”
After decades of dairy farming and years spent restoring native areas on her own farm, Rosemary has seen first-hand how quickly species such as privet and Japanese walnut can establish in retired land, waterways and bush remnants. Years ago, many of these areas were still grazed, helping keep weed growth in check. Today, as more waterways and sensitive areas are fenced off and protected, they can also provide opportunities for invasive weeds to establish if they’re not actively managed.
“It’s all well and good to plant these areas, but if we don’t do something about the weeds, all we’re going to have is fenced-off areas for weeds to invade.”
Rosemary believes awareness is one of the biggest opportunities.
“We’ve had people come back and say, ‘I didn’t know’. Then once you see it, you can see it everywhere.”
Sustainable Dairying Advisor Matthew Holwill says that’s exactly why the Weed Free Waipā initiative was created.
