After 12 years of bush-whacking, a small Catlins environmental group believes it has almost eradicated an invasive plant pest from Papatowai. The Papatowai Barberry Busters began their attempt to eliminate Darwin’s barberry from the village in 2009, little suspecting they would still be at work 12 years later. Mr Morison said elimination of the plant required only a chainsaw and stump poisoning. Other regional authorities — including Environment Southland — classified barberry as a pest plant, allowing efforts to be co-ordinated and funding to be sought. Although the group was "satisfied" to have cleared Papatowai of the pest, it did not feel it could celebrate just yet.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 23, 2021 15:33 UTC