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If you’ve ever muttered these words while looking at your block, you’re definitely not the only one.Across Aotearoa, we meet landowners and lifestyle block owners who feel like they’re stuck in a never-ending battle with gorse, pampas, blackberry and other invasive weeds.They clear it once — and six months later it’s back, thicker than ever.One client told us: “We’ve spent thousands trying to control pampas. We’ve sprayed it, slashed it, dug it out. Every year it comes back and smothers the native trees we’re trying to grow.”Sound familiar? Why Do Gorse &amp; Pampas Keep Coming Back? Here’s the truth: invasive weeds are persistent because their seeds stay in the soil for years — sometimes decades. If the root system or seed bank isn’t handled properly, it only takes a season for a fresh wave to take over.Add wind-borne seeds from neighbouring paddocks, and it’s clear why so many Kiwi blocks get overrun again and again.&nbsp; The Problem with Doing It Yourself Lots of landowners try to tackle these weeds themselves. We get it — it’s tempting to grab the slasher, run the mower, or spray here and there.But half-done jobs usually backfire. Many times we hear: “We thought we got it all — then spring hits and we’re back where we started.”If you want your native bush to thrive, the site needs to be cleared the right way, with proper follow-up so you don’t waste your time and money every year.&nbsp; Our Solution: Do It Once, Do It Right At Manawa Landcare, we clear invasive weeds properly — no shortcuts.We: 🟢 Identify the real problem areas (some weeds hide roots deep underground). 🟢 Treat them at the right time of year for the best kill. 🟢 Remove bulk waste and prep the site properly. 🟢 Replant with hardy natives suited to your whenua. 🟢 Provide follow-up maintenance to keep the weeds out for good.&nbsp; Take Back Control of Your Land Imagine looking out and seeing your native trees flourishing instead of buried under gorse. Birds back. Bush regenerating. No more wasted weekends battling weeds that keep winning.Gorse and pampas keep coming back? Not on our watch. Let’s clear it for good — message us now and get your land thriving again!📞 Call or text us today to book your free site visit: 022-434-8058<figure id="figure-ul9luiy2kvmcjzmgc1"><img id="ul9luiy2kvmcjzmgc1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/151gvQ4drx2MOW2jAm5MM2wzZrWxeGCfVYw5Q6SB9dm3oAUUK2rsCE6Tlw0ucxAt.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Invasive Weeds Taking Over Your Native Bush? “The gorse and pampas just keep coming back…"

If you’ve ever stood on your block and thought “Our natives all died or got choked out…” — you’re not alone.Every year, we talk to landowners, developers and lifestyle block owners who have put time, money and heart into planting natives — only to watch them get smothered by gorse, blackberry, or rank grass within a season.The story is usually the same: “We planted heaps but didn’t keep on top of the weeds… then they just disappeared.”Or: “We didn’t stake them properly. Half snapped off in the wind.”Or worse: “We paid someone to do it but they never came back to check on it. Now it’s a mess.”&nbsp; The problem isn’t you — it’s poor planning and lack of follow-through. Successful native planting is not just about sticking some plants in the ground and hoping for the best.You need: ✔️ The right plants, for the right place. ✔️ Proper site prep — removing invasive weeds and rubbish first. ✔️ Good planting technique — spacing, staking, and mulching. ✔️ Ongoing maintenance — checking for pest plants and keeping on top of them.Miss one step? That’s how “Our natives all died or got choked out” happens.&nbsp; Here’s how we do it differently. At Manawa Landcare, we design, supply and install planting that actually survives — and we maintain it until it thrives.We don’t just drop off plants and disappear. We: 🌱 Plan your site for success. 🌱 Clear out weeds properly, so they don’t come back straight away. 🌱 Use hardy, eco-sourced natives suited to your soil and conditions. 🌱 Stake, mulch and protect your investment. 🌱 Check back in and maintain the site — so the weeds don’t win.The goal? Plant once, do it right, and see your native block grow strong year after year.&nbsp; 👉 Don’t waste time and money replanting. Talk to us today about getting it right the first time.Book your free site visit now and let’s make your natives thrive!📞 Send us a message or call: 022-434-8058<figure id="figure-sn3z93u4a4mcjyj0lx"><img id="sn3z93u4a4mcjyj0lx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2dr8L1TXOSdxyod70UGwwrPmqYNwFBuZqRT1knc4OqwktAn7ksMNwa9YXaAleacu.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Why Do So Many Native Plantings Fail? And How You Can Get It Right First Time.

We’ve just completed a rewarding native planting project on a private rural block in Paraparaumu, where erosion and invasive weeds had taken hold along a key stream corridor.The landowner reached out wanting to restore the native ecosystem, reduce runoff into the stream, and enhance the overall biodiversity of the property — without high-maintenance landscaping or aggressive spraying.The site featured:<ul><li>A sloping paddock running down to a stream edge</li><li>Patchy kikuyu and rank grass cover</li><li>Old pine and wattle stumps along the bank</li><li>Areas of exposed soil that worsened with every heavy rain &nbsp; 🌱 What We Planted After clearing and spraying selected areas, we got to work planting over 1,500 eco-sourced native species, including:</li><li>Harakeke (flax) – for quick soil binding</li><li>Toetoe – wind-resistant and great for slope stability</li><li>Manuka &amp; Kanuka – future canopy, perfect for dry banks</li><li>Carex virgata &amp; Carex secta – near the stream for filtering runoff</li><li>Coprosma robusta (karamu) – to attract native birds and add structure</li></ul>Plants were spaced to allow natural regeneration between rows, with mulch applied around key areas for moisture retention and weed suppression.&nbsp; 🧤 Services Delivered ✔️ Full site prep and selective spraying ✔️ Supply of all native plants (locally sourced) ✔️ Professional planting by our Kāpiti crew ✔️ Mulching and follow-up maintenance plan&nbsp; 💡 The Impact Already, the site is showing signs of transformation. With plants establishing well and the stream edge now protected, the landowner has peace of mind that erosion is under control — and native birds are beginning to return to the area.This planting will also improve:<ul><li>Water clarity downstream </li><li>Soil structure over time </li><li>Habitat diversity in a previously degraded space &nbsp; 📍 Native Planting in Paraparaumu &amp; Kāpiti This project is a great example of how native planting can be practical, beautiful, and beneficial for both landowners and the environment.</li></ul>If you’ve got a rural block, stream edge, or paddock in need of restoration, now is the time to plant.👉 Get in touch for a free quote or site visit. We’re proud to serve Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Te Horo, and the wider Kāpiti Coast with trusted, local planting expertise.<figure id="figure-pw7tml3k9fmc9subx4"><img id="pw7tml3k9fmc9subx4" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eoOHFKIejuyYN6lqpikulxo67gO2ITcEUOghyySm6ljNrqtZsnsIokLGFXfWHZp.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Native Planting Project Completed in Paraparaumu: Restoring a Streamside Block

At Manawa Landcare, we’ve been busy across the motu this winter — and the results are already showing! Our team is proud to report the successful planting of thousands of native plants across a range of project sites throughout Whangārei, Kāpiti, Horowhenua, and Wellington.From riparian planting along stream edges to full wetland restoration zones, our mahi is helping to:<ul><li>Restore native biodiversity</li><li>Improve water quality</li><li>Stabilize soils and reduce erosion</li><li>Support long-term ecological regeneration &nbsp; </li></ul>📍 Current project areas include:<ul><li>Whangārei</li><li>Kāpiti Coast</li><li>Horowhenua</li><li>Greater Wellington Region &nbsp; 💪 Why This Work Matters Every native plant we put in the ground is a step toward a more resilient Aotearoa. Native ecosystems play a vital role in:</li><li>Supporting native bird and insect populations</li><li>Filtering and protecting waterways</li><li>Holding cultural and environmental significance for future generations</li><li>Whether it’s restoring a rural lifestyle block, improving a farm stream edge,</li><li>or revitalizing an urban wetland, our team is proud to be part of the solution.</li></ul>&nbsp; 🔔 Book Your Winter Planting Crew Now!Winter is the best time to plant natives — cooler temperatures and seasonal rain help new seedlings thrive. If you have land to restore or a project in mind, now is the time to act.👉 Secure your planting team today! Contact us for a free quote and let’s work together to protect and enhance your whenua.📞 Call us or 📩 Send an enquiry<figure id="figure-kheky4n1rdmc9rtnz5"><img id="kheky4n1rdmc9rtnz5" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24ZTdUvrNiH7263F7JR7WlnkTn3aGt7mHXghufrQUkScfGgf8sGY3R7g44hS8ziM.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 35%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="35%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24ZTdUvrNiH7263F7JR7WlnkTn3aGt7mHXghufrQUkScfGgf8sGY3R7g44hS8ziM.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 35%;"></figure>

Winter Planting Progress Update: Thousands of Native Plants Now in the Ground!

We’re proud to showcase one of our ongoing property maintenance projects in beautiful Whangārei — a stunning lifestyle block featuring over 1 acre of lawns, gardens, and edges. Our local team maintains this property on a monthly basis, keeping it tidy, healthy, and looking its absolute best all year round.Whether you own a small urban section or manage a large rural block, Manawa Landcare has the team, tools, and know-how to get the job done. We tailor our services to suit your needs — from lawn care and garden tidies to full native planting and restoration projects.✅ Reliable service ✅ Local team ✅ Eco-friendly practices ✅ No job too big or too small📍 Based in Whangārei, Kapiti, and Horowhenua, we proudly service the wider Northland and lower North Island regions.<figure id="figure-gwu0giw35bmc9r6uoc"><img id="gwu0giw35bmc9r6uoc" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2e1NsYZusbtmIqmfNYVP5f5GpapsjwzrCbJgTYWpd1OJS0OqxZKXnTOarAW4ie8z.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Manawa Landcare

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Invasive Weeds Taking Over Your Native Bush? “The gorse a...

Why Do So Many Native Plantings Fail? And How You Can Get...

Native Planting Project Completed in Paraparaumu: Restori...

Winter Planting Progress Update: Thousands of Native Plan...

No Property Too Big or Too Small: Manawa Landcare in Whan...