When we launched The Great Moth Plant Hunt, we knew the community response would be enthusiastic and passionate, but we were completely blown away by the sheer volume of effort shown by everyone involved. Every entrant brought an incredible amount of energy, but one person’s dedication particularly caught our eye. We want to share the story of Donnelle Cheree with you.
Climbing and scrambling through thick bush, tracking down stubborn vines, and logging an incredible 53 unique Facebook posts to share her spoils, Donnelle has proven herself to be an absolute force of nature for Aotearoa’s native environment.
We caught up with Donnelle to learn more about what drives her non-stop motivation, her genius approach to physical wellness through weed-busting, and her go-to strategies for clearing thick bush.
From High School Homework to Bush Restoration
Believe it or not, Donnelle’s moth plant journey didn’t start in a professional conservation department at all. Instead, it started with high school homework!
“My twin boy, Finn, came across the Pest Free South Auckland moth pod competition at high school a few years ago. His efforts, with my support, won the school $100. The next year, he wanted to win the money for himself! His interest eventually waned, but mine didn’t.”
By day, Donnelle works as a software developer. While she loves code, getting out into the mud brings a totally different kind of satisfaction: “I enjoy getting out and grubby because, as a Northland girl at heart, it feels like REAL work. It’s tangible and visible.”
Swapping Walking for “STAMPing”: Movement for Mind & Body
While getting down and dirty protecting the native habitat, Donnelle realised something important – weed-busting doesn’t just restore the health of the bush – it can also transform your own personal mental and physical well-being, too.
Having participated in the Walk1200km programme for over three years, Donnelle hit a snag when she developed hip tendinopathy, a prolapsed disc, and osteoarthritis. The repetitive action of long-distance walking became a major pain trigger. She needed an outdoor activity for her mental health, but with much more varied movement.
Her solution? Swapping long straight-line walks for volunteering with Society Totally Against Moth Plant (S.T.A.M.P). Now, she trades 1 hour of moth plant control for 4km toward her Walk1200km goal! Ducking, crawling, bending, and searching gives her the varied physical activity her body needs without the repetitive strain of pavement walking.
Teamwork along the Papakura Stream
Donnelle’s main stomping ground is the Papakura Stream Halo Project, run by the Manukau Beautification Trust. She doesn’t do it alone, either. After connecting with another local volunteer online, the two teamed up for safety and efficiency:
“I couldn’t do what I do without her support—it would be too risky to be in some of those areas solo. Plus she enjoys the pole work more, and I like crawling around hunting roots more, so we’re a great team!”
When asked about tackling massive patches of vines, Donnelle shared a brilliant method that every weed-buster should know:
Triage first: Cut the biggest bits you can find and treat them directly with Cut’n’Paste weed gel.
Observe & repeat: Whatever hasn’t wilted a week later is still attached to a root, and whatever has wilted is brittle and much easier to clear out. Repeat as required until you think you’ve got all the roots… and then go back at least twice more!
Rule #1 of Moth Plant:“There’s always more than you think…”
Donnelle’s advice for beginners:
“Just start! Pick a species you’re confident in dealing with, and keep the basic gear handy. If you can’t commit to killing or removing it, reduce the spread by removing flowers or berries. If everyone does a little patch, it adds up fast.”
Why Cut’n’Paste is Her Go-To
Donnelle uses a range of the Cut’n’Paste products depending on the target weed and environment:
Bamboo Busterwhenever prized natives or waterways are nearby;
MetGel: Her staple for most suburban, weed-infested regions;
Picloram Gel: Her go-to for tough Woolly Nightshade away from waterways;
Before switching to Cut’n’Paste, Donnelle used other chemical gels, but experienced disheartening regrowth the following season—especially on larger vines she was certain she’d treated properly.
“I have much more confidence in Cut’n’Paste products. Having confidence that a vine is gone for good makes all that hard physical work worth it.”
“Year to date, I’m at about 23,000 pods (and 1038570207492999 seedlings)
A Big Shout-Out!
We want to send a huge shout-out to Sharleen from Pest Free South Auckland, as well as the Papakura Stream Halo Project (Manukau Beautification Trust) and the incredible S.T.A.M.P group for their incredible work supporting volunteers like Donnelle.
Thank you, Donnelle, for your hard work, your inspiring story, and for being such a legendary guardian of our native bush!
The dangers to the operator and the environment from spraying using POEA surfactants glyphosate is a world away using our Cut’n’Paste weed gels with none or 1% APG surfactants.
