Watch out for this pretty flower
Green thumbs are being asked to watch out for a beautiful but toxic flower that could be growing in their backyards.
What you need to know:
- Every part of the plant is poisonous, and can cause gastroenteritis, thirst, paralysis, blindness, and heart and kidney failure.
- This plant is hardy and normal pest control efforts are often not enough to eradicate.
- The cape tulip, growing up to 90cm high with one strap-like leaf, was introduced to Aotearoa in the 1940s, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ manager for pest management John Sanson said. “Cape tulips, like many of these invasive weeds, are really attractive ornamental species ...but they escape over people’s backyard fences and into pasture, as these things often do,”
- It was classified as a noxious plant in the late 1970s after they were discovered to cause harm to livestock and humans, even killing animals when too much as ingested.
- The salmon-pink flowers bloom for about two days a year between June and December, and have previously been an ornamental species for keen gardeners.
Sanson urged people who believed they had the weed growing on their property to leave it untouched and contact Biosecurity New New Zealand’s Exotic Pest and Disease on 0800 80 99 66.
Once a site was confirmed, manual removal or chemical treatment would start.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.3% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.6% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Poll: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?
Wellington’s Te Awe Library on Brandon St will be closing its doors for good at 5 pm on March 1. It’s been the city’s largest temporary library, and now it’s making way for the exciting return of Te Matapihi Central Library!
We want to know: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?
Want all the details? The Post has everything you need to know.
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46.1% Yes
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53.9% No
Heads up – upcoming gas network works
Copied from the Tawa Business Group Incorporated Facebook page: Powerco Limited, which owns and operates the natural gas network in our area, will be carrying out essential upgrade works along Main Road, Tawa, over the coming weeks as part of their ongoing improvement programme.
🔧 What’s happening? Powerco’s Tier 1 contractor, Downer New Zealand – Energy, will be building a new District Regulator Station (DRS) to replace an older, less efficient station. This will also involve installing new gas mains to connect the new station into the local gas network.
📅 Timing
Exploratory works begin: from 9 February 2026
Main works period: 9 February – 31 March 2026
Road impacts to note:
o From 23–28 February, there will be partial and full road closures (to be confirmed closer to the time).
o During partial closures, there will be no entry into Redwood Ave from Main Road (exit only).
🚦 Traffic & access
Temporary traffic management will be in place at various times. Some areas will be fenced off for safety, and trenches will be bridged with composite vehicle plates. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.
🗺️ Where will work happen? The yellow lines on the map show the areas where trenches will be dug for the new gas mains.
Thanks for your patience while this important infrastructure upgrade is carried out – we’ll share more details as they’re confirmed.
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