Story: Shelter on farms

This row of pampas grass is serving as shelter for a market garden in Ōtaki, in the early 2000s. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana and C. juvata) was introduced to New Zealand by early settlers mainly for shelter, but also as stock fodder. However, the days of planting it are over. It is an invasive plant, and has spread into native forest – female plants produce millions of seeds which can travel up to 25 kilometres. Pampas grass was declared a pest plant in 2001, and can no longer be sold in New Zealand.