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Weeds and Plant Pests The sand dunes at Whangapoua beach are home to New Zealand's native pingao Native plants struggle to compete with introduced species like pampas grass Pampas grass is a South African plant that has become a weed pest in coastal NZ. Apple of sodom is an introduced poisonous plant that has thorny leaves Herbicide is sprayed to kill weed pests such as apple of sodom DoC rangers take photos to record changes in plant health Nigel (DoC ranger) has been working on a weed eradication programme. The dune system at Whangapoua beach and estuary are important locations for wildlife such as dotterels and endangered plants such as pingao. The weeds are destroyed so that the native species have a chance to grow in natural conditions. Print friendly page