Wicked Weeders 9th December
Hello, hope you’re all doing well. Apologies to anyone who missed us last week. Access to the site turned out to be better from Karetoto Road, and unfortunately, that update didn’t reach everyone. Sorry about that.
When we first arrived, the task ahead felt a bit daunting, but Shawn quickly showed us how it was done and, before long, we’d made a significant dent in the broom. It was especially rewarding to come across so many native plants thriving at the site, including tōtara and miro already well over our heads.
It won’t be long before all these trees begin to shade out the unwanted weeds, transforming the area into a beautiful patch of native bush and valuable habitat.
A huge thankyou to the awesome Honey Hive who shouted us a coffee or a yummy ice cream after the hard mahi😋
The plan for tomorrow’s Wicked Weeders session is to head to Hipapatua (top campground), off Huka Falls Road, at the site planted in August 2025. The plants were recently chemically released, but convolvulus has come back strongly and is already beginning to smother many of them. We’ll be heading in to do some careful, gentle releasing by hand to give the natives some breathing space.
It could be sunny in the morning, so please come sun-smart. The ground is uneven and there is some rubbish throughout the site, so sturdy footwear and don’t forget your gloves.
I’ll bring along a selection of hand tools that may help, though we’ll need to work carefully as the convolvulus is growing up through the plants. I’ll also have ties and mallets to check that all plants are properly staked and supported if needed, and, of course, morning tea.
Parking will be within the camping area if the gate is open; otherwise, please take care if parking along the roadside.
See you there from 9.30–12.00 ☀️
Below are pictures from the Hipapatua site 2025 setting up and planting day
🎄 December 19th – Thank you Christmas Lunch 🍔
Thank you to everyone who’s already let me know they can make it at midday on the 19th! If you haven’t confirmed yet and would like to come along, just drop me a message so I can get a number for the booking, and I’ll send you all the details once I hear from you.
