Ragwort
Image: Lynne Huggins | DOC

Weeds

Introduction

Weeds are smothering our native plants and destroying our native landscapes.

Invasive weeds are destroying our native plant communities and transforming the natural landscapes that make New Zealand unique. Weeds can provide hiding places for pest animals, which is a risk to our native bird species. Weeds can also carry diseases, alter the soil pH and use more water than native plant species.

    Weeds that pose serious threats to New Zealand

    Weeds that pose serious threats to New Zealand

    These plants are some that pose the most serious threats to our native animals and places.
    Wilding conifers

    Wilding conifers

    Why wilding conifers are a major problem and how you can help.
    Controlling weeds in our communities

    Controlling weeds in our communities

    Guidance on how to run a weed control project. 

    List of environmental weeds in New Zealand

    See the Science for Conservation publication: List of environmental weeds in New Zealand 2024 (PDF, 3,491K).

    Identifying weeds

    Common types of weeds

    Trees and shrubs (woody plants)

    Weeds that are trees or shrubs grow over or replace other plants.

    Weed trees include holly, tree privet, sycamore, wattles, willows, and wilding pines. 

    Examples of weed shrubs are barberry, boneseed, broom, buddleia, cotoneaster, gorse, heather and privet.

    Herbs (non-woody plants)

    Herbs or perennials are non-woody plants. They can grover over small plants, crowding and preventing the regeneration of native seedlings.

    Examples include Chilean rhubarb, montbretia, Mexican daisy, pampas, purple loosestrife and wild ginger

    Weeds can grow in aquatic habitats, eg oxygen weed that grows in lakes.

    Vines

    Vines climb and scramble, smothering trees and forest canopies.

    Examples include banana passionfruit, bomarea, Chilean flame creeper, climbing spindleberry, ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, old man’s beard, mothplant and wonga wonga vine.

    Marine

    DOC works with other agencies on invasive marine plant species, eg undaria.

    Find out more about marine weeds:

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