The Waitakere Ranges Local Board adopted the Piha Reserves Restoration Plan at its meeting on 8 May.

The Plan, developed by Wildlands Consultants covered the reserves fronting North Piha Beach and the Domain. A consultation was held in January and the draft plan was amended to address issues raised during the consultation.

The main weeds to be removed are: lupin, vetch, gazania, boneseed, agapanthus, cape ivy and climbing asparagus.

Main changes in the plan were:

• Reduce planting along the beachfront as natural seeding will mostly fill any spaces left by weed removal.
• Minimise spray use by using stump painting and hand removal. Spray will still have to used on some particularly rampant weeds, especially on the Domain.
• Prioritise the Domain as it contains a very large infestation of climbing asparagus and rampant cape ivy, especially in the effluent disposal fields area
• Encourage neighbours, especially on the North Piha beachfront, to assist with weed control, especially any new seedlings of lupin which can be hand pulled.