Source: Auckland Council
South Auckland schools and community groups are being encouraged to join the fight against moth plants.
The popular Pest-free South Auckland Moth Plant Competition 2025 is open for registrations. Pods can be collected from 3 March 2025 to 9 May 2025.
So – if you live, work, play, or learn in Ōtara-Papatoetoe or Māngere-Ōtāhuhu be sure to sign up.
There are awesome cash prizes to win at the celebration at the June prizegiving, plus plenty of fun prizes just for participating.
The chairs of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Boards enjoy this competition because for those who join in, they show great teamwork, stay dedicated, and are actively learning about and taking care of te taiao (environment). They’re excited to see tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and kaiako (teacher) come up with fun, creative ways to compete and connect.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this competition that the boards heard at last year’s prizegiving was that tamariki and youth are noticing fewer moth plants around – it’s because they’ve been busy collecting moth pods around the area for the past few years. This proves that their efforts are making a difference in our community and initiatives like Pest-free are having a real impact.
“This year is shaping up to be even more competitive, we’d love to see more schools and groups join in, and we can’t wait to see the progress they make over the next three months,” says Ōtara-Papatoetoe chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia.
Hi-fives all round. Overall, 2024 winners Nga Taonga Aroha ECE from Bairds Road, Ōtara.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich adds, “Community-led conservation initiatives like Pest Free Ihumātao and Pest Free South Auckland are central to our climate action in our Local Board Plan.
“It is important for maintaining healthy, biodiverse streams, estuaries, and harbours. Special thanks to our Pest Free South Auckland team. Alongside kaiako and community leaders, they’re creating a pest-free environment in our own backyard. It’s fun, engaging, and inspires our tamariki to care for and protect our natural environment. We’re eager to see more Māngere-Ōtāhuhu schools and groups join in this year.”
Waterlea Primary School, top pod collectors for the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu area in 2024.
Many people have encountered the moth plant without realising it is an infamous weed that poses a significant threat to our native plants.
Pest Free South Auckland supports Auckland Council’s regional Pest-free Auckland initiative to protect biodiversity and restore council-managed land.
The Pest-free South Auckland team.
Categories include:
To register: contact PFSA@otarawaterways.org.nz. Competition closes 9 May 2025.
The competition is also supported by Manurewa and Papakura local boards.
What is a moth plant?
Moth plant is a vigorous evergreen climbing vine with arrow-head shaped leaves, dark green on top and grey-green below. The flowers grow in creamy white to pink clusters, present from December to May.
Why is it a problem?
Moth plant can become dominant in many situations and out-competes and replace native plants. It smothers and strangles whatever it climbs on. The seeds are poisonous, and the milky-white sap is very sticky, and insects can become trapped.
When removing this weed from your backyard, remember to wear protective gloves and remove it from the roots along with any pods and vines. Put them in a secure plastic bag and send them to the landfill via your regular council rubbish bins or through a community weed bin in your area.
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