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Seedlings

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MOTH PLANT COMPETITION

Every year, communities across the Howick Ward come together to take action against one of Auckland’s most invasive environmental weeds through the Pest Free Howick Ward Moth Plant Pod Competition. Founded right here in Howick by Pest Free Howick Ward, the competition has grown from a local community initiative into a movement that now takes place across Auckland, Northland, and even parts of the Coromandel. The competition encourages schools, families, community groups, businesses, and individuals to collect and safely dispose of moth plant pods before they have the chance to spread thousands of seeds throughout our parks, reserves, backyards, and bush areas. What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a powerful example of community-led environmental action.
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moth plant seeds that have not germinated in our ngahere.

2025

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Teams

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Seedlings

Moth plant is a fast-growing invasive vine that smothers native trees and vegetation, damages ecosystems, and spreads rapidly if left unmanaged. Each pod can release hundreds of wind-dispersed seeds, making early intervention critical. By removing pods before they open, communities play a direct role in protecting local biodiversity and reducing the long-term impact of this destructive pest plant. The competition provides a fun, hands-on way for people of all ages to learn about environmental restoration while making a real difference in their neighbourhoods.

The Moth Plant Pod Competition is about more than just collecting pods – it is about building environmental stewardship, community pride, and collective action. Through friendly competition, educational opportunities, prizegiving events, and community partnerships, the programme empowers local people to care for the places they love. Every pod collected contributes to a healthier, more resilient environment for future generations, proving that small individual actions can create large-scale environmental change.