Te Ngahere utilise physical / non-herbicide methods to control weed infestations when the characteristics of a site allow such an approach to be adopted. Physical control work is often undertaken in particularly sensitive areas, where the use of herbicides is deemed inappropriate.

Te Ngahere have recently adopted a non-chemical physical control approach to weed infestations within Withiel Thomas Reserve in Epsom.
As a result of an on-going weed control programme implemented within the reserve over the last 3 years, weed species are now hand pulled and removed during regular maintenance visits to the reserve.
Recognised as 1 of the 3 remaining areas of Mt Eden rock forest growing on basaltic lava, the reserve's significance is well-known amongst naturalists, botanists and ecologists alike.

Te Ngahere provide a range of weed control services that utilise a herbicide-based control approach to reduce or eliminate invasive weed species.
Small weed control projects must demonstrate that the wider restoration process has been considered. Larger projects should have a progressive weed management plan in place to provide for strategic project and control objectives.

•  comprehensive weed control programmes
•  specific weed-led control
•  Remote and island based control programmes
•  new weed incursions i.e. scrambling lily control in North Shore
•  Cliff-based control work

Key features of this service include:

All supervisors have advanced grow safe certification and are trained in the use of handheld GPS.
Shapefiles and GPS are use to accurately position teams on the ground via satellite, as a means of avoiding boundary issues and to increase operating efficiencies.
Daily herbicide diaries record quantities used along with all the environmental variables that may affect herbicide use.
Contract and site managers ensure herbicide application techniques and rates provide for effective control while minimising toxicity.

Weed control programmes require ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the objectives of the project are achieved and to allow for management regimes to be modified as a project evolves. Te Ngahere undertake ‘maintenance’ weed control work as a component of the companies larger restoration programmes.

•  physical control i.e. hand pulling and mechanical removal
•  cut and stump painting
•  spot spraying

Te Ngahere also provide a Monitoring Programme design service that includes weed management monitoring work and the implementation thereof.