Celebrating the Incredible Work of Whaingaroa Weedbusters

At Cut N Paste Weed Gels, we take immense pride in supporting passionate community groups like Whaingaroa Weedbusters, who are making a real difference in restoring native ecosystems. Their dedication to removing pest plants and empowering local residents is truly inspiring.

A Community-Led Mission to Restore Native Flora

Whaingaroa Weedbusters is a volunteer-driven initiative with a clear mission: to rid Raglan and its surrounding natural environment (Taiao) of invasive pest plants. Their ultimate goal is the full restoration of native flora and fauna, reversing the damage caused by habitat loss and climate change.

Founded four years ago, this grassroots movement strongly encourages a DIY approach. Rather than relying on a single workforce, they equip local residents with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to take action against pest plants on their own properties and shared public land (with council approval).

Transforming the Kaitoke Walkway

One of Whaingaroa Weedbusters’ first major projects was tackling the heavily infested Kaitoke Walkway—a scenic 2.5km trail spanning 10 hectares of coastal bush and estuarine habitat. Over time, pest plants such as climbing asparagus, ginger, privet, pampas, gorse, wooly nightshade, Elaeagnus, and moth plant had overtaken the area, threatening the local biodiversity.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and an engaged community, significant progress has been made in restoring the walkway. According to Leanne Steel, Head of Projects at Whaingaroa Weedbusters:

“This is a well-loved and well-used space, and seeing the community come together to help restore it has been amazing. The transformation wouldn’t be possible without the hands-on efforts of our volunteers and the generous support from organisations like Cut N Paste Weed Gels.”

Advocacy, Education, and Resources

While Whaingaroa Weedbusters is not a commercial weed removal service, their advocacy and empowerment model is proving incredibly effective. They offer:

• Community working bees – Hands-on group events where volunteers not only contribute to restoration but also learn new skills to apply in their own backyards.
• Educational workshops – Sessions with guest speakers, site visits, and pest plant identification guidance.
• One-on-one support – Helping landowners and residents feel confident about getting started on their own properties.
• Access to resources – Lending tools and providing herbicide solutions to remove barriers to participation.

Leanne Steel explains:

“Sometimes, people want to do the right thing but just don’t know where to start—or they find the cost of herbicides and tools prohibitive. By making resources available, we empower more people to take action.”

A Collective Effort with Generous Support

Whaingaroa Weedbusters’ work is made possible through the incredible generosity of individuals, local organisations, and sponsors. They have received support from:

• Radio New Zealand National’s Jesse Mulligan and Forest & Bird’s Nicola Toki (Critter of the Week funds)
• QEII National Trust
• Raglan Community Board
• Waikato Regional Council
• Waikato District Council
• Waikato Ecological Restoration Trust
• Meridian Energy
• Forest Flora Native Plant Nursery
• Green Footprint Garden Design and Restoration
• Cut N Paste Weed Gels

Leanne expresses her gratitude:

“We are so grateful and relieved to have effective tools that make our job easier. Honestly, we wouldn’t even consider taking on some of these projects without Cut N Paste Weed Gels. The right tools make all the difference.”

Join the Movement

If you’re passionate about restoring native bush and protecting local biodiversity, consider joining Whaingaroa Weedbusters. Whether through volunteering, learning, or simply spreading the word, every effort helps in the fight against pest plants.

Follow their journey, get involved, and support their mission—because together, we can restore and protect Aotearoa’s unique natural heritage!

https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/get-involved/weedbusters-near-you/whaingaroa-weedbusters-raglan