There are serious invasive weed problems in Niue with the Department of Environment working with New Zealand experts to rectify the issue.
As part of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Services funded by Global environment Funding Facility, support is being provided to the department of environment in riding these weeds. A workshop was held last week to identify and outline plans to rid the islands of these weeds.
Landcare research NZ Science Teamleader Lynley Hayes told BCN News these weeds are not native and were introduced into Niue.
Some of the weeds she mentioned are lantana and air potato vine weed,
” It is too difficult and expensive to control these weeds using herbicide or pulling them out or cutting them down. The only option is to use natural enemies of the weeds.” said Hayes