Te taiao (the environment) is breathing easier - 168,925 pods and seedlings gone, thanks to South Auckland’s incredible young eco-warriors!
The 2025 Pest-Free South Auckland Moth Plant Competition has wrapped, and the results are next-level!
Backed by four local boards: Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa, and Papakura, this epic team-up of schools, groups, and families protected te taiao, gained hands-on knowledge, had fun, and shared $14,000 in prizes across the region.
Sustainable Schools Advisor Cate Jessep shares highlights from 2025, “Schools are smashing records as students get sharper at spotting moth pods and keen to beat last year’s totals! More schools and ECEs are joining, seedlings are up, and student leadership is shining, like Papatoetoe High’s student-run team. Teachers like Lee at East Tāmaki Primary are even going the extra mile!
“Big thanks to the four local boards, their support makes this mahi happen. It’s not just about funding, it’s about helping our communities understand the why and feel proud to be part of the solution. Local boards play a huge role in real environmental change.”
A massive 43% of all pods collected in 2025 (72,698) was cleared from Ōtara-Papatoetoe.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu made a powerful impact too, clearing 30.9% (52,280 pods).
Manurewa and Papakura brought the heat, with a combined total haul of 26% - 27,746 pods from Manurewa and 16,201 from Papakura.
Sharleen McClay, Pest Free South Auckland Co-ordinator shares, “A highlight for me was the growing number of families involved. I am hearing from super excited parents that going out Moth Podding has become their new Sunday outing. I love the enthusiasm out there.”
Ōtara-Papatoetoe
ECC
- 1st place: Aorere Kindergarten (collected 10523 pods)
- 2nd place: Play and Learn ECC King St (3410)
- 3rd place: Redoubt North Kindergarten (2573)
- 4th place: Blossoms Educare Papatoetoe (1460)
- 5th place: Creative Garden ELC Dawson (1018 / special mention)
Ten (team of 10 or less)
- 1st place: Tangaroa College (7724 pods)
- 2nd place: Cookwerl157 (700 pods)
- 3rd place: Opeti-Finau Family (250)
- 4th place: Papatoetoe Intermediate (216)
Open
- 1st place: East Tamaki Primary School (8115 pods)
- 2nd place: Papatoetoe South School (2451)
- 3rd place: Papatoetoe Intermediate (1230)
- 4th place: Tupu Youth Library (258)
Overall
- Papatoetoe Highschool (15982)
- 2nd overall: Bairds Mainfreight Primary School (15764)
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
ECC
- 1st place: Ōtāhuhu Kindergarten (2470 pods collected)
- 2nd place: Māngere Bridge Playcentre (1336 pods)
Ten (team of 10 or less)
- 1st place: Waterlea School (5477 pods)
- 2nd place: Havea Whanau (3700 pods)
- 3rd place: Havea Whanau (2200 pods)
Open
- 1st place: Nga Iwi School (5257 pods)
- 2nd place: Ōtāhuhu Primary School (3002 pods)
- 3rd place: Kuki Podsters (2458 pods)
- Special mentions: Kingsford Primary School (1624 pods) / Zayed College for Girls (1116 pods)
Overall
- JASS MP Extractors (12176 pods)
Manurewa
ECC
- 1st place: Aranga ECC (collected 1177 pods)
- 2nd place: The Wildlings Early Years (114 pods)
Ten (team of 10 or less)
- 1st place: Manurewa Homeschool (1497 pods)
- 2nd place: Alfriston College (100 pods)
Open
- Open 1st place: Everglade School (5330 pods)
- Open 2nd place: Rowandale School (3049 pods)
- Open 3rd place: South Auckland Middle School (970 / special mention)
Overall winner
- Manurewa Intermediate (15459 pods)
Papakura
ECC
- 1st place: Creative Garden Early Learning Centre (collected 250 pods)
Ten (team of 10 or less)
- 1st place: The Spectrum (3445 pods)
- 2nd place: Pod Hunters Papakura (2356 pods)
Overall
- The Windleborns (10028 pods)
Pest Free South Auckland supports Auckland Council’s regional Pest-free Auckland initiative to protect biodiversity and restore council-managed land.
Thanks to Nga Iwi School for hosting the 2025 prizegiving.
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