Highways South, on behalf of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, will be removing harakeke, New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) from problematic areas across the Southland state highway network after Easter.
The Southland state highway network has large pockets of flax located within the road reserve, some of which are encroaching into drainage channels and concealing signs, edge markers and line marking, creating a potential safety hazard for road users and local communities.
"Following on the success of the harakeke removal programme in 2021, where Highways South engaged with community and iwi and successfully removed and relocated harakeke, we are repeating this process again this year," agency maintenance contractor manager Justin Reid said.
Highways South and the agency appreciated harakeke held a special significance for many in Southland and had worked hard previously with Environment Southland’s iwi liaison Te Ao Marama to find a solution which recognised this.
Mature harakeke requiring removal would first be offered to local iwi for harvesting where this was safe to do so.
Where possible, those mature plants which could not be harvested safely by hand would be mechanically removed and relocated to properties to form shelterbelts or to restore and protect waterways.
There were two main areas where harakeke were being removed this year — State Highway 99 near Te Waewae Bay and State Highway 6, north of Centre Bush.
