Award Nominee

This weedbusting involves a gully and its associated banks at Matangi, near Hamilton. About 25 years ago, Peter and his family purchased a block of land adjoining the Mangaharakeke Stream. About 6 acres of this property was a gully and steep bank area; the vegetation was mainly a wilderness of gorse, blackberry, willow, wattle, pinetree, honeysuckle and many other weeds. A handful of native plants were also present a small patch of flax (Phormium tenax) on the floor of a side gully, a few cabbage trees (Cordyline australis), pate (Schefflera digitata), mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), swamp sedge (Carex secta) and weki tree ferns (Dicksonia squarrosa).

Because of the unpleasant nature of the weeds there were huge patches of blackberry up to 2m high - it was decided to turn this weed strewn ruin into a pleasant native bush walk. Weeds were removed in small areas at a time, initially by hand (slasher, axe and spade) and later using chainsaws and herbicides. After considerable experimentation, starting with 2,4-D and diesel and rapidly moving on because of devastating volatile herbicide and ground residual effects, Peter came to the conclusion that the best herbicide to use was glyphosate.

As a spray, it would kill all of the weeds provided an appropriate concentration was used and a penetrant was added if necessary for weeds with very waxy leaves (gorse etc.) e.g. at 2-3%, glyphosate has a devastating effect on blackberry. He wanted to have to spray only once since many of the blackberry patches were difficult to access. The patches were so dense that in many cases the best way of dealing with them was to lay a ladder across the top and walk along this (very carefully one slip would have interesting consequences!) spraying as he went.

After about 3 months, the resulting completely dead blackberry was crunched down and either burnt or used as a mulch. The very large pine trees were removed by felling. The other large trees which would regrow from their stumps, (willow, barberry, hawthorn) were first killed using neat glyphosate. The tree, when in active growth, was scarf cut at intervals around its trunk with the nose of a chainsaw. The resulting pockets were filled with neat glyphosate. A premature autumn followed in a few weeks and when the tree had dried out (2-3 months), it was cut up with a chainsaw. This method has the advantage that it stops pieces of willow regrowing, the wood is dry and cuts up easily and is dead so can be used as stepping stones for paths across boggy areas.

In carrying out the clearance, care was taken to retain any existing native plants. Only small areas were cleared to keep the amount of replanting manageable and because of erosion concerns the soils were predominantly sandy, easily washed away and many of the banks were very steep.

There is no point in removing weeds unless replanting is done as soon as possible; underneath weeds is a seed bed of weeds, so regrowth/erosion occur. Hence, as each area was cleared, it was densely replanted in pioneer native plants, care being taken to get the right plant in the right site for example kanuka, totara on the dry top bank sites and kahikatea and swamp sedge in the wet gully floor. Planting patterns were identified by observing local native bush remnants and with advice from several botanists. Commercial sources for these plants were unsatisfactory the reveg. industry was just beginning in the early 1980 s and what little was available locally were poorly adapted for planting out in the wild so many plants died. Consequently, Peter decided to grow his own plants.

Seeds were collected from local bush remnants and a small nursery was established. The resulting ecosourced plants thrived and the success rate after planting them out was over 90%. Weed control was maintained after planting; plants were hand-released if necessary, and careful spot spraying with glyphosate was done until a canopy had been established. This usually occurred within 2-3 years, and after this time, an area became self-managing. With this step by step procedure, and with the very rigorous initial weed control, the entire 6 acres has been converted to local native bush. Weeds are history what are coming up under the native trees are native tree seedlings.

The seed rain has completely changed; the birds are eating Coprosma, kahikatea, putaputaweta, Astelia grandis etc. seeds rather than blackberry, inkweed, honeysuckle and Arum lily. The change is amazing; native birds and insects have returned and the gully is now almost self managing. Very little weed control is needed (the occasional blackberry and willow seedlings from the neighbour s weedy gully). Planting continues with frost tender and understorey species such as swamp maire, tawa and divaricate Coprosmas. Twenty year old kahikatea and pukatea are flowering and their seedlings are coming up everywhere. Peter has observed that the time for the cycle from weeds to native bush is amazingly short, provided vigorous weed control is enforced at the beginning of the restoration.

Peter is very willing to pass on advice and knowledge to others and actively goes out and assists with restoration projects at weekends e.g. Hukanui School gully and private gully sections around Hamilton. People who are restoring gully properties can visit Peter s restored gully site and learn about the removal of weeds and replanting advice. He will also visit the sites to give advice on the right site for the plants and give on going advice as to the care of the plants.

He has passed his knowledge and expertise on gully restoration including weed removal through workshops run by the Continuing Education department of the University of Waikato. Ecologists from management agencies, such as Environment Waikato visit Peter s property to gain information of the weed busting work that he undertook and the subsequent replanting.

He is a member of the Whewells Bush volunteer group who are involved the rescuing a small 10ha reserve of kaihikatea forest from invasive weeds such as tradescantia.

Peter has shown dedication to removal of weeds from a large gully site. He has recreated a forest wetland ecosystem which is an excellent example and model for others as to what can be achieved in restoring an ecosystem from scratch. He now provides valuable advice to other community groups, individuals and management agencies in the Hamilton area.

Moira Cursey, Waikato Biodiversity Forum (nominator)