Record-breaking moth pod competition unites Howick community

Publish Date : 02 Jul 2025
Community turnout
Kids presenting an award
Family receiving an award
Teacher and students posing for photo

Five early childhood centres, 18 schools, and 19 open teams were involved in:

  • 72,922 pods and 173,380 seedlings removed
  • 246,302 total plants cleared - up 92.92 per cent from last year
  • an estimated 6.1 billion seeds stopped from spreading
  • the moth plant strangles natives, spreads fast, and has toxic, sticky sap. Wear gloves, remove roots, pods, and vines, bag them securely, and bin them via council rubbish or a local weed bin.

With 42 teams registered, students and community groups took part in the Howick Local Board funded competition collecting pods, protecting nature, and going for some great prizes.

The competition ran from February to mid-May included two categories: preschool and open for all school levels, and the prizegiving took place in mid-June.

Two sisters from BDSC, Jennifer and Angela Choi, won the Open Category with an incredible 71,713 pods and seedlings.
“It is wonderful to see our local schools coming together to make such a meaningful impact for our environmental initiatives.” says local board member, Katrina Bungard.

Along with the record-breaking entry numbers, the community came together and schools led the way with tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) taking action and inspiring their community to do the same.

“This awesome competition is part of our commitment to empower the community to take environmental action and it’s amazing to see it continue to grow and succeed,” says chair Damian Light. “While the challenges facing our environment can appear overwhelming, it’s through community action like this that we see hope for a better tomorrow. It’s inspiring, practical, and continues to gather momentum – well done to everyone involved”

Results for 2025

  • 72,922 pods and 173,380 seedlings removed
  • 246,302 total plants cleared - up 92.92 per cent from last year
  • an estimated 6.1 billion seeds stopped from spreading.
Sustainable school’s advisor powerhouse Cate Jessep.

Results and Winners 2025

Top performers by category:

ECE:

  • 1st place: KiNZ Mission Heights (5,862 pods collected)
  • 2nd place: Cascades Kindergarten (4,397)
  • 3rd place: Pakuranga Baptist Kindergarten (844)

Schools:

  • 1st: Pakuranga Heights School — 16,954 pods and seedlings removed
  • 2nd: Howick Primary Moth Busters (12,275 pods collected)
  • 3rd: Go the Waka, Howick College (7,032)
  • 4th: BOS Pod Challengers, Baverstock Oaks (4,561)

Open Category:

  • 1st: Moth Out — 71,713 pods and seedlings removed
  • 2nd: Pak Heights Pod Squad (51,963) + thickest vine (9cm.)
  • 3rd: CFBC (34,406)
  • 4th: Mission Green (11,662)
  • 5th: Bye Bye Moth Pod (3,910)
Pakuranga Heights students and teachers.

Pakuranga Heights Students and Teachers. Winners of the Whole School Category 2025. Image: Pest free Howick ward.

Pest free Howick ward project manager Abi Cunninghame shares, “This competition is about so much more than removing an invasive plant, it’s about building local pride, empowering communities, and showing what’s possible when we all work together. Every pod counted represents time, care, and commitment from people who want to see their neighbourhoods thrive.”

Special Mentions

Thanks to Pakuranga Heights School for hosting, Beccy Long and Geoff Stott, for their years of dedication and advocacy in our community.

The competition is growing stronger each year, and that’s due to the passionate volunteers, educators, and eco-conscious families.

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