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Story: Biosecurity

Ragwort

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Ragwort

Biosecurity aims to reduce the introduction of new pests, weeds and diseases into New Zealand. Ragwort, now a common farm weed, was probably introduced accidentally with pasture grasses. It was first recorded growing wild in 1874, and rapidly spread throughout the country, especially where cattle and horses were grazed.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: Di0752Syt.jpg

by Pauline Syrett

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How to cite this page

Helen Keyes and Carl Walrond, Biosecurity – Definitions and history, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/19059/ragwort (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Helen Keyes and Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.