The Christchurch City Council wishes to advise residents that aerial spraying of spur valerian will be undertaken on coastal cliffs from Pigeon Bay to Le Bons Bay and Akaroa Harbour, and rock outcrops around Mt Evans, Rapaki, Ohinetahi and Orongomai. Broom and gorse will be sprayed on the boundaries of Kennedys Bush Reserve.

Spur Valerian is a popular cottage garden plant that has spread beyond the garden gate. It has become a serious threat to locally rare plants on the Peninsula’s spectacular coastal cliffs and rocky outcrops. Some of these rare plants are found only on Banks Peninsula and nowhere else in the world.

Spur Valerian seeds are fluffy and spread long distances in the wind. To help reduce the spread gardeners are asked to help either by removing the plant or by cutting the flower heads off in spring and autumn before they go to seed.

There is a chance to contain the spread before it gets too widely dispersed, which is why an aerial spraying programme has been set up. The objective is to stop it spreading beyond Pigeon Bay and to contain it to a few key sites in the Akaroa Harbour. The major sources of seed are from communities in Whakaraupō Harbour, Akaroa township and Birdlings Flat.

Monday 29 April - Spraying will take place in the Port Hills at Kennedys Bush, Orongomai and Tamataea (Rāpaki).

Tuesday 30 April - Spraying will take place in the North-Eastern Bays - DeCanter, Little Akaloa, Okains and Le Bons.

Spraying is taking place between Monday 12th February and Friday 3rd May 2024 when the weather is suitable.

Site specific notice of spraying activities will be published on this page the day before the spraying operation. Please note only one day's notice can be given as spray operations are weather dependent.