Media Release: Northland Regional Council

Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei to host free weed workshops

Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei are to host free workshops offering Northlanders tips on how to tackle some of the worst weeds – both land and freshwater-based – threatening our region.

The three-hour workshops in Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei will be run by Northland Regional Council biosecurity officer Sara Brill in early July.

"These workshops are for people who want to be able to correctly identify pest plants, understand the threats they pose and learn how to control them.”

Ms Brill says this will be the third year the council has offered the popular free weed workshops.  “Last year we offered similar workshops in Okaihau, Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei and more than 100 Northlanders took advantage of them.”

She says the Wednesday 03 to Saturday 06 July workshops will include a short presentation, hands-on identification tips and information on control options, including chemicals and other methods.

The 20-plus weeds covered are some of Northland’s worst – including wild ginger, lantana and moth plant – and will also include the serious freshwater weeds salvinia and water hyacinth.

“Two separate three-hour workshops will be held at each weekday venue; one in the morning from 9am until noon and the other in the afternoon from 1-4pm.”

The first workshops will be held at the Whare Marino at Kaitaia Primary School, Mission Pl, on Wednesday 03 July, followed the next day at Kerikeri in the St John Ambulance hall, Kerikeri Rd.

Friday 05 July will see workshops at the regional council’s Water St, Whangarei headquarters.

“There’ll also be one final weekend workshop in Whangarei on the morning of Saturday 06 July (9am-noon) for those who might not have been able to make any of the weekday events.”

Ms Brill says there’s space for about 30 people to attend each of those sessions, but with a good level of interest expected, she’s urging potential attendees to pre-register to avoid missing out on the day.

“Given the demand in previous years, we may not be able to take any registrations on the day.”

People keen to register should contact Sara Brill at the Northland Regional Council on (0800) 002 004.

Ms Brill says more information on pests in Northland is available from the council’s website at: www.nrc.govt.nz/pestmanagement

ENDS

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