Aquatic pest plant lagarosiphon
We want to improve pest management in Otago, which is why we're reviewing the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP).
Read the discussion document, then come join us for a 1:1 chat about how pests should be managed in Otago.
Our biosecurity and policy teams will be there to answer your questions.
Come and have your say — your feedback will help shape the draft RPMP before formal consultation begins. If you can't make it to one of these, an online session is being held on Tuesday 30 June.
The most important thing is to get involved!
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 15 June | 3–6pm |
Aonui, Otago Regional Council (Reception), |
| Wednesday 17 June | 10am–1pm |
Owaka Community Centre, |
| Wednesday 17 June | 3–6pm |
Te Pou Ō Mata Au | Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre, |
| Monday 22 June | 3–6pm |
Wanaka Community Hub, |
| Tuesday 23 June | 3–6pm |
Scottish Hall, |
| Tuesday 30 June | 7–8pm |
Online |
| Wednesday 1 July | 3–6pm |
Alexandra Community House, |
| Thursday 2 July | 1–4pm |
Queenstown Events Centre, |
| Monday 6 July | 3–6pm |
Maniototo Park Stadium and Rugby Clubrooms |
Our 2026 survey results show these ‘Spotlight Species’ are front of mind for the Otago community, so it’s important to hear your thoughts on how they should be managed.
A regional pest management plan identifies pests in the region and sets goals to either keep these pests out of Otago, get rid of them, or reduce them. The plan also makes rules for people to follow.
There are many pest species that can impact Otago's environment, communities and economy. Under the current plan 51 species are managed.
Pest plans are required to be reviewed every ten years. The current pest plan was established by Council in 2019, so it’s about time we took another look at it.
A full review of the pest plan takes time. There is a lot of thinking to do around what we might want to improve and what changes are needed to make a more fit for purpose plan.
ORC will be working with our neighbouring regional councils where possible, to ensure our pest plan is aligned with national and regional priorities and supports a collaborative approach to pest management.
| Step | Approximate starting date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plan review | 1 July 2025 | Under the Biosecurity Act 1993 regional pest management plans need to be reviewed and updated every 10 years. The review of the current Pest Plan commenced on 1 July 2025, after Council endorsement of the project plan in May 2025. ORC will engage with partners, key stakeholders and other affected parties to develop a proposal for a new plan. |
| Notification | Early 2027 | The notification process is designed to provide transparency to the review process. The full proposal for a new Pest Plan will be made public and anyone who has an interest in the proposal can read the documents and consider whether they think the proposal is fair, equitable and likely to deliver the proposed pest management objectives. |
| Submission period | Mid 2027 | The submissions process provides an opportunity for communities and individuals who may not be directly affected by the Pest Plan, but who are interested in regional pest management, to have a say in the final proposal. |
| Hearings | Late 2027 | The hearing process provides an opportunity for those who have made a written submission, on the proposal for the new Pest Plan, to be heard in-person on their submission. |
| Decisions | Early 2028 | The Hearing Panel must be sure that the proposal for a new Pest Plan has answered the points raised in both written and verbal submissions. Once the Hearing Panel is confident that this is the case, they will approve the writing of the new Pest Plan. |
| Plan operative | Mid 2028 | The council will affix the seal to the new plan and the plan will become operative. Consent and compliance rules for Otago will be updated to reflect any changes from this new plan. |
Land occupier
Otago Regional Council
Exclusion & surveillance
The exclusion programme aims to prevent certain pests, which are currently not found in Otago, from establishing here. Applies to pest plants not yet established in Otago.
Eradication
The eradication programme aims to get rid of these pests from Otago. Pest plants in this category must still be at a manageable level.
Progressive containment
The progressive containment programme aims to stop a pest from spreading and/or contain it to a certain area. Applies to pest plants that have built up numbers but haven’t spread to most of Otago yet.
Sustained control
The sustained control programme aims to provide ongoing control of the pest to reduce its impacts on environmental, economic and cultural values and spread to other properties. These pests are already widespread, so we need to slowly reduce their numbers to achieve the best cost-benefit outcomes.
Site-led
Site-led programmes have rules for specific pests that only apply in that area. Site-led areas have special biodiversity and other values to protect.
Pathways management
A pathways management plan aims to reduce the way pests are spread — preventing multiple species from establishing rather than managing pests individually.
In 2024, ORC commissioned a review into the effectiveness of the current Regional Pest Management Plan. This review was presented to Council in June 2025. Findings from the review can be found in the associated Council Paper and the full report below.
June 2025
PDF | 371 KB
Council paper presented at the Environmental Delivery Committee meeting, 5 June 2025, Otago Regional Council Chambers, Phillip Lang House, 144 Rattray Street, Dunedin
April 2025
Dr Julius Ohrnberger, Lockie Woon, Dr Jamie O’Hare, Leané de Beer, Sally Wyatt
Sapere Research Group
PDF | 2 MB
Otago Regional Council (ORC) has contracted Sapere to provide an interim effectiveness evaluation of the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) in Otago. The RPMP is a 10-year operational plan for 51 pest species in the Otago Region and was introduced in November 2019. The 2019 version expanded the scope of the 2009 plan, providing additional detail to the task of pest management in the region, and introducing new categories, rules, and programmes.
June 2026
PDF | 21 MB
This discussion document outlines recommended management approaches for some pest species, proposed approaches for species still under review, and additional information on selected species to help inform your feedback on the best management options.
The Regional Pest Management Plan (Pest Plan) sets out the framework for how pest plants and animals specified in the plan will be managed in Otago over the next 10 years.
Share your thoughts, find more information on the reasons for the review and how ORC will engage with our key stakeholders.
Information on the proposal for a new pest plan and public notification timeframes.
Information on the submissions process and how you can get involved.
Information on the public hearing process, where and when hearings will be held and hearing outcomes.
Information on the decisions process, timeframes and outcomes.
Information on the appeals processes and what will happen should an appeal occur.
