Natives killed by South Waikato District Council sprayingLUKE KIRKEBY/ STUFF Roger Freeman stands by plants being choked by long grass. Now even the thought of the walk gets him uptight as he pictures natives plants "devastated by poison". For years Freeman spent hours voluntarily clearing blackberry and self-seeded flowering cherry trees from the South Waikato District Council owned land, land which the council has invested thousands in by planting natives. He claims the council neglects the area and then sprays and kills the native plants trying to remedy it. South Waikato District Council communications manager Kerry Fabrie said if natives are killed by contractors they replace them at their own cost.

Source: Stuff March 20, 2018 20:37 UTC