Keep your eyes peeled for sea spurge this summer
When you're out and about this summer, look out for the invasive weed sea spurge.
Sea spurge invades the shores just above the high tide mark, disrupts sand dunes, and stops native plants from being able to grow.
The fast spreading weed can ravage a whole area in a short space of time.
The Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries have urged people to report any sightings.
Its sap is toxic to humans and animals and can cause skin irritations, or temporary blindness if you get it in your eyes.
So don't try to remove it if you do spot it.
Sea spurge looks like a small shrub which can grow up to about half a metre high.
It has multiple steams which are reddish at the base and spiky, tightly packed blue/green leaves and greenish flowers.
What to do this summer if you think you've found sea spurge:
Don't disturb the sea spurge plants as it could spread the seeds.
Don't cut sea spurge or try to remove it; its sap is toxic.
Take a photo of the location and a close-up of the plants.
Try and get your location as accurate as possible and note it down.
Call the MPI exotic pest line on 0800 80 99 66.
Sunday prize draw!
Congratulations to the winners of this week's prize draw who will receive a $50 cafe voucher.
The winners are:
Sarah McGarry from Tawa
Jenna Holland from Woolston
Tobias Nash from Northland
Sascha Howie from Tauranga
Get in touch with the Neighbourly team here if you are on this list.
Not a winner? Maybe next week you will be!
Show us your projects
Whether it's craft, haberdashery, woodwork or upcycling, we'd love to see what you've been working on lately.
You may even spark someone else's creativity...
Tell us about your current project or show us a picture in the comments below...
Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
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36.4% Yes, it serves us well
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62.8% No, I have concerns
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
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