For many years the Hokonui Tramping club has undertaken weed control in the Hokonui Hills near Gore as part of their track maintenance programme (which is run under contract with DoC Southland). This weedbusting has mainly consisted of removing gorse, plum and apple trees, thistles, hemlock and other undesirable introduced plants on the tracks.

In more recent times, particularly the past four years, there has been a more specific attack on Darwin’s barberry. This work has been largely carried out by club members Tom Falconer and Murray Speden, and assisted by other members at times.

As the adult seeding Darwin’s barberry has been largely destroyed, their target has changed to regenerating Darwin’s barberry, and they are now searching and destroying holly, hawthorn, gorse, elderberry, ragwort and hemlock on the edge of the reserve boundaries and within the reserve.

The aim is to get rid of all exotic species and restore the bush to its original pristine state. Many hours have been spent each month on “search and destroy” missions.

The weedbusting has been carried out by hand pulling, loppers, handsaws, chainsaws and “Vigilant Gel” treatment on stems and stumps.