Kaipara added to free weed workshop venues

Dargaville will join Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei as a venue for this year’s free workshops offering Northlanders tips on how to tackle some of the worst weeds threatening our region.

Kaipara-based Northland Regional Councillor – and council Deputy Chairman Graeme Ramsey – says the annual three-hour workshops will be run by council biosecurity officer Sara Brill, beginning with Dargaville on Monday 16 June.

Councillor Ramsey says it will be the fourth year the council has held the popular workshops and the first time they have been hosted in Dargaville.

"Council typically holds the weed workshops based on demand from local communities which can vary from year to year. This year, there has been increased interest from Kaipara residents and so the workshops will be held there too," he says.

Councillor Ramsey says every year up to 200 people take advantage of the opportunity to learn how to better manage weeds – both land and freshwater-based – on their properties or land they manage for others.

The Monday 16 to Saturday 21 June 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."

Councillor Ramsey says Northland's weeds aren't going to go away by themselves and the workshops are a great opportunity for people to plan ahead and get ready for the busy weed knockdown period once winter ends.

He says 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 but numbers are limited to about 30 people each time so registration is essential.

The first workshop will be held at the Kaipara District Council's Dargaville conference room on Monday 16 June, followed the next day in Kerikeri at the St John Ambulance Hall, Kerikeri Rd and then at the Kaitaia Primary School on Wednesday 18 June.

Cr Graeme Ramsey

Thursday 19 June will see workshops at the regional council's Water St, Whangarei offices.

"There'll also be one final weekend workshop in Whangarei on the morning of Saturday 21 June (9am-noon) for those who might not have been able to make any of the weekday events."

"Given the demand in previous years, we may not be able to take any registrations on the day so to avoid disappointment register early by contacting Sara Brill on freephone (0800) 002 004 or by emailing her: [email protected]

Meanwhile, Cr Ramsey says general information on pests in Northland is available from the council's website via: www.nrc.govt.nz/pestmanagement