Moth Plant Pod Hunting Competitions

ByPDAdmin
moth plant attack

Welcome to the changing season and a new calendar window for weed control.  Autumn is upon us and so are many of this year’s ‘Moth Plant Pod Hunts’ (see below for competition details).

Now’s the time to get out and bag up those seed pods before they get bigger, split and cause even more problems.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to cut and paste those pesky vines so they don’t come back! Get some serious kudos and do a great thing for your garden or community.

Win Your Share of $500

We are supporting the cause with a $500 giveaway. View the details here.

Get 10% Off

To help with the effort, we’re giving you 10% OFF* our weedgel range until end of April 2026. To get the discount, use the coupon code MOTHPLANT at the checkout. Terms apply see below.

This introduced South American ornamental plant has pretty flowers, but as we all know, looks can be deceiving. This vine is invasive, smothering natives and choking off their growth.  Left alone, the flowers turn into pods that become a ‘disaster in-waiting’ for our parks, gardens and forests. Each pod contains hundreds – if not thousands – of “fluffy” seeds and if the pod is allowed to split or burst, the seeds easily spread on the wind, across a wide dispersal area, creating an even bigger problem.

How To Deal With A Moth Plant?

For detailed information, take a look at our weed directory entry for Moth Plant.

Step1: If present, collect and remove pods before they split (usually Feb – April);
Step 2: Kill The Moth Plant (remove it if possible or cut and paste one of our weed killer herbicide gels).

Unfortunately, simply removing the pods is not enough. It’s a great start to help prevent the plant from spreading, but you also need to remove or treat the actual plant to kill it and prevent it from regrowing.

Beyond pulling them out by hand, which is often not feasible, you can easily treat Moth Plant with MetGel or Picloram. These are the herbicides of choice for many councils, DOC workers, landscapers and gardeners. There’s no spray to worry about and the high-performance gel is absorbed into the plant’s vascular system, permanently destroying the woody taproot, ensuring the vine cannot regrow.

MetGel & Picloram are often considered the “gold standard” for Moth Plant in New Zealand for several specific reasons:

  • Maximum Root Penetration: Picloram and MetGel herbicides are designed to travel directly through the vascular system. While Picloram is a powerhouse for destroying the dense, woody taproot of established vines, MetGel excels at circulating through the entire plant to reach deep root nodes. This is especially effective in autumn; as the plant naturally stores energy for winter, these herbicides are pulled deep into the root system for a total, permanent kill.
  • Seed Viability Impact: Recent trials by NZ regional councils (such as Northland) have shown that applying MetGel to the stem in autumn can significantly reduce the germination rates of seeds in pods that are still attached to the vine. This adds a second layer of defense against next year’s “surge.”
  • No Spray, No Worry: Unlike traditional sprays, MetGel & Picloram are herbicide gels and do not require any equipment – simply cut the target at the base, and paste on the gel using the built in brush. Job done and move on.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
 Always read the label and apply as directed. Like all our products because they are in a gel form they are safe to use and highly targeted reducing the effects on the environment. Metsulfuron & Picloram can however translocate through wet soils and affect non target plants. You are advised to take great care to avoid spillage, especially when used anywhere near water courses or in the vicinity of valued trees, shrubs or plants. To prevent damage to the native species or if the weed / Moth Plant is wrapped up in other plants that you want to preserve, Glimax can also be used as an alternative.

Tackling Moth Plant – One Pod & Vine at a Time…

For a free listing here of your community event (and potential sponsorship) – or to correct any information shown, please contact sol: [email protected] with a flyer (image / graphic) and event details / website link.

🏆 2026 Moth Plant Competition Links 🏆

RegionCompetition LinkKey Dates
Online Comp with Cut’n’PasteWe are supporting the cause with a $500 giveaway. View the details here.Until End May
NorthlandNorthland Regional Council Pod SquadFeb 23 – May 15
Auckland (West)EcoMatters Henderson-Massey CompMar 15 – May 3
Auckland (East)Pest Free Howick Ward CompetitionMar 2 – May 8
Auckland (South)South Auckland “EcoFest” SeriesMar 2 – May 8
Waikato / HamiltonHamilton City “Nature in the City”Mar 1 – May 16
Bay Of PlentyMoth Pod Challenge 2026 DetailsMarch 1 to June 14, 2026.
Your Event HereContact [email protected]Let us know about your dates

Northland Region

  • Northland “Pod Squad” 2026
    • Dates: February 23 to May 15, 2026.
    • Points System: 1 point per pod, 3 points per vine/seedling (with roots).
    • Prizes: 1st ($500), 2nd ($300), 3rd ($200) plus $50 Prezzy Card spot prizes.
    • Entry: Open to all Northland residents. Submit photos of pods in countable grids.
    • Link: NRC Moth Plant Competition 2026
  • Whangārei Heads Mega Moth Plant Movement
    • Free Herbicide & Tools: Weed Action often provides free advice and Cut’n’Paste gels to locals. They have a tool library and occasionally hold community events where they hand out bottles of gel
    • Website: Weed Action Whangārei Heads

Auckland Region

Waikato / Hamilton

  • Hamilton City Council “Nature in the City”:
    • Dates: March 1 to May 16, 2026.
    • Prizes: Over $4,500 in prizes (including gear from Mitre 10 and Jumpflex).
    • Special Feature: Once you submit your photo for proof, Council staff will actually arrange to collect the sealed bags of pods from you for safe disposal.
    • Link: Hamilton Moth Plant Hunt 2026

Bay of Plenty

  • Maketū Wetlands “Moth Pod Challenge”:
    • Dates: March 1 to June 14, 2026.
    • Prizes: Vouchers ranging from $50 to $300.
    • Drop-off point: 461 Wilson Rd North, Maketū.
    • Link: Moth Pod Challenge 2026 Details
  • EnviroHub BOP (Katikati/Tauranga):
    • Dates: Throughout April and May 2026.
    • Prizes: Categories for “Most Pods,” “Gnarliest Plant,” and “Most Sites Cleared.”
    • Link: EnviroHub Wipe Out Moth Plant

5. BOP & Central North Island

  • HALO Whakatāne “DOMP Comp”:
    • Registration: Opens March 23, 2026.
    • Unique Rule: Includes a “Give A Pod” initiative where the general public can donate pods they find to a registered school team to help them win.
    • Link: HALO Whakatāne – DOMP Comp
  • Western Bay “Pod Drop-off Day”:
    • Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 (10am–2pm).
    • Location: The Big Avocado carpark, Katikati.
    • Event: Not a competition, but a free disposal day where Council staff take your pods so you don’t use up your bin space.
    • Link: BOP Regional Council Pest Events

6. Hawke’s Bay

  • Status: Active Awareness. Hastings District Council and HBRC are currently (March 2026) running an awareness campaign called “Watch out for Moth Plant.”
  • Advice: They specifically recommend the “Cut and Swab” method (using Picloram or MetGel) for March/April.
  • Link: HBRC Pest Hub – Moth Plant

National “Photo-Only” Challenges

  • Weedbusters NZ: While not a “competition” with cash prizes, they are running a nationwide Autumn Photo Challenge on social media. Tag your moth plant “kills” can get you featured and win small gardening prize packs!

Notes and warnings:

Cut’n’paste / Key Industries Ltd are not responsible for any external competitions – or for the accuracy of information posted here. While the information is correct at time of publishing – things change, so please contact the aforementioned body or group to receive up-to-date information.

  1. Photography is Key: Almost all competitions require a photo of your pods arranged in countable rows (10s or 50s) with a piece of paper showing your name and the date.
  2. Health & Safety: You should take all due care and attention. You must wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection (the Moth Plant sap is toxic and a skin irritant) when collecting pods and you should also wear protective clothing and gloves when applying cutnpaste products.  Always read the label and apply as directed.
  3. Disposal: Pods must be double-bagged and taken to the indicated place. Usually, this will be a landfill site with a bin or a designated drop-off point. Never put them in green waste. See the rules and instructions for your competition.

Helpful Videos

  • 10% Off Terms
    • discount applies to the RRP price and valid for online sales only
    • one coupon per person
    • valid for any weedgel purchase until 7th April 2026
    • not valid for any hardware
    • cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon(s), discount(s) or special(s)

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