The Comet with Jo Ritchie - July 1st 2026

A record total of 25 amazing volunteers (including Jo Ritchie and her husband Chris) went to The Comet in the Kaweka's to remove wildings. We found small, medium and large sized seedlings of (mainly) Pinus contorta which we pulled or cut and pasted. We found a few larger sized specimens which were mainly around the end of the road / toilet area, the tussock tops and edges of the Kanuka forests were hiding the smaller ones.

The weather was absolutely perfect for our mahi - frosty cold to start with but such a bluebird sun shiny day with very little (if any) wind. Our wilding warriors enjoyed the camaraderie, the physical exertion, and the feeling of making a difference to our wonderful natural environment.

Members of our team pulled or cut (and pasted) over 1790 wilding conifers before lunchtime (final tally to come).

Very thorough Health & Safety meeting with the contrast between native and wilding vegetation evident in the background.