Northland schoolkids helping catch pests at Far North reserve
5 May, 2021 07:49 AM
3 minutes to read
Mangonui School children continue to do their bit in controlling pests at Rangikapiti. Photo / Supplied
Northern Advocate
The results of all the effort that has gone into trapping pests at Rangikapiti are plain to see according to Friends of Rangikapiti chairman John Haines. Last winter, we planted koru, or native hydrangea, in a couple of parts of the reserve, he said. This attractive plant is ordinarily found only on pest-free islands, as it is very tasty to possums. Early settlers used to boil it up like cabbage. Our plants are thriving, many have bloomed and are setting seed, and there s hardly a bite out of any of them. Likewise kohokohe is an indicator plant for possums.