Ventia's Biosecurity services experts are dedicated to the protection of our natural spaces and native species. They are experienced, industry qualified professionals who work closely with customers to implement environmentally sensitive and sustainable solutions.
Our goal is to rehabilitate ecologically important areas, restoring them to their original pristine condition.
We look after waterways and riparian corridors, control pest animals and introduced plants to ensure the survival of our native species, and rejuvenate habitat that has been destroyed by clearing, land use and more. We use environmentally sensitive delivery methods and are committed to providing our customers with safe and considered long-term solutions.
With more than 30,000 introduced plant species in New Zealand and thousands upon thousands of pest animals wreaking havoc on our natural populations, there is no time to wait when it comes to the protection of New Zealand wildlife and plant life.
We create zones that support breeding, pollination and food sources while maintaining the integrity of the region.
Effective and collaborative management planning and sustainable, best-practice control options of invasive terrestrial and aquatic species to reduce competition to our native species.
We utilise safe, targeted, and humane methods of control which pose minimal risk to the environment, members of the public, non-target pets and animals.
Committed to environmental health, we specialise in restoring natural features and maintaining ecosystems to support the regeneration of native flora and fauna.
The control of Low Incidence Pest Plants (LIPP) for Auckland Council has been managed by the team since June 2021 with continuous improvement key to its success. The introduction of these non-native plants into our native ecosystem has profound effects, often disrupting the balance of local flora and fauna. These introduced species can outcompete native plants for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to a decline in biodiversity. They also grow more rapidly or reproduce more effectively than their native counterparts, effectively monopolising space as well as resources. This can result in a reduction of habitat for native wildlife that relies on indigenous plants for food and shelter.
Additionally, the introduction of new plant species can facilitate the spread of pests and diseases that our native species are not equipped to handle. Overall, the presence of introduced plants can create a cascading effect throughout the ecosystem, highlighting the importance of preserving native biodiversity and eliminating these undesirable species.
Our work on this contract involves working closely with customers, community and the wider public to locate and control these pest plants. Using manual, mechanical and herbicide methods, our aim has been to reduce pest plant populations and eventually eradicate them from the region.
Native ecological restoration
The biosecurity services team have been responsible for managing pest plants and revegetation in the “Red Zone” in Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island for the past two years.
The team started with only two people and a 28-hectare section of Red Zone as a trial run with Christchurch City Council. In those two years the team has grown to five, and they now help maintain nearly all 700 hectares of the Red Zone.
There are more than 100 species that need to be controlled in the red zone, including gorse, Japanese honeysuckle, willows, old man’s beard vine and banana passionfruit. Identification of plants is key, with a number of hybrid species having evolved since the earthquake in 2011.
From hand pulling plants to controlling with low-toxicity herbicides, pest plants are managed in a way that is sensitive to the environment and the local community.
The team also has multiple other contracts for Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury with sites at Banks Peninsula, the Port Hills, Cass and near Lake Coleridge.
Wellington
In Wellington, the biosecurity team have been responsible for restoration planting in rural areas to reduce erosion and poor water quality runoff into the main water causeways from farms or lifestyle blocks for Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua Council. Erosion and poor water quality runoff has the impact of damaging the native aquatic wildlife such as eels (tuna) and native fish species, white bait as well as shellfish and bird life. Having plants to capture sediment and poor water helps filtrate these contaminates to improve the water quality and reduces the chance of bacteria like e-coli getting into drinking, swimming or food collection areas.
Work on this contract has included planting, adding guards and mats as well as a weed release program to help with plant growth in the early stages and protecting against being consumed by rabbits and other animals.
On site at Te Oka Bay Road stream, Banks Peninsula
Planting in Wellington
Pest plant aquatic weed control in the Groynes, Christchurch.
Pest plant chainsawing gorse in Governors Bay, Christchurch