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.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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85.6% Same!
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14.4% Would have liked to try something different
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
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