Report: Hurunui Weedbusters at Island Hills
We had a great turnout of weedbusters on Sunday 20 July 2025, all eager for a day out in the spectacular countryside of Island Hills Station inland from Culverden.
Our mission was to remove young wilding Douglas firs and broom invading beech forest in the station’s 601ha QEII covenant.
Converging at the station’s historic cookhouse on a fine, frosty morning, volunteers from Christchurch, Rangiora, Amberley and Waiau were welcomed by hosts Shaun Monk and Haley Lloyd, and primed with tools and instructions for the day. We then convoyed in 4WDs for a scenic drive through the farm to the forest track, from there we hiked a couple of kms to a clearing by the lagoon. After morning tea we spread out into the target area, working our way back along the track and ranging into the bush slopes on either side. By 3pm we emerged from the forest, elated if damp, to report on our efforts. Not everyone was keeping score but an estimated 1500 – 2000 Douglas firs met their doom, and countless broom seedlings.
Shaun spoke about Island Hills’ ongoing conservation work, the legacy of generations of Shand family owners, including extensive, knapsack weed spraying, trapping and other pest-control programmes. The constant birdsong we enjoyed was evidence that the trapping is effective.
Island Hills offers visitors opportunities to stay at the farm for multi-day walking, BYO horse trekking and guided hunting. The team also holds an annual trail running race, the SolarPowerNZ Skedaddle, with proceeds going towards the station’s conservation programme.
For more information, go to islandhillsstation.com
Event: Hurunui Weedbusters Tackle Wildings at Island Hills
10 am – 3 pm, Sunday 20 July 2025
Our July weeding bee at Island Hills Station, inland from Culverden is to remove young wilding douglas firs that are spreading through regenerating beech forest. Most of the saplings can be hand pulled, while some will require saw or loppers and dabbing with weed gel.
The forest is in the station’s 601ha QEII covenant, about 30 mins drive by 4WD from the home site. Our host and guide for the day is manager Shaun Monk, who will tell us about the inspirational conservation legacy established at Island Hills, thanks to generations of Shand family owners. The station also offers trails open to the public and an annual fund-raising race up Mt Skedaddle.
Meet: 10am at the site, or 8.45 am at Hurunui District Council’s northern carpark if you’d like to rideshare from Amberley. A car will also be leaving by 8am from Christchurch. For directions to go directly, check https://islandhillsstation.com/getting-here/
Directions: Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. The terrain is sloped in places with uneven ground, and there’ll be some bush-bashing. We’ll bring gloves and tools, or you can BYO if you like. Morning tea also provided, BYO lunch.
Please register with Belinda Meares, Hurunui Biodiversity Trust, [email protected], 0221 600 383, or Rima Herber, [email protected], 027 8722 329.
Let us know your contact phone number in case we need to postpone due to weather.
