How to Protect Native Plants from Hares & Rabbits
Successful native planting in New Zealand depends on more than good plant stock and site preparation.
In the first 12–18 months, young plants are highly vulnerable to browsing pests. Without protection, survival rates can drop quickly — especially in open farmland, exposed blocks, and newly fenced areas.
Understanding the risks — and planning for them — makes the difference between a thriving planting project and expensive replanting.
Common Browsing Pests in New Zealand
Several animals regularly damage newly planted natives.
Hares
Hares are one of the most destructive browsing pests in open rural environments. They can:
Bite off tender top growth
Strip leaves from young stems
Stand upright to reach higher growth
Large hares can severely damage plants that appear protected if guards are too short.
Rabbits
Rabbits typically target:
Low foliage
Soft stems
Newly planted seedlings
High rabbit pressure can quickly reduce plant survival rates, particularly in paddock or block plantings.
Pūkeko
In some areas, pūkeko can:
Pull at young plants
Disturb freshly planted root balls
Damage new growth
While not always as destructive as hares or rabbits, they can still affect establishment in certain environments.
Collectively, these are referred to as browsing pests — and pressure varies significantly from site to site.
Why the First Year Matters Most
The establishment phase is critical.
During the first 12–18 months:
Roots are still developing
Top growth is soft and vulnerable
Plants have limited resilience
Once established, many native species become far more tolerant of pest pressure. The goal of protection is to get plants safely through this early stage.
Signs You May Need Plant Protection
Consider protection if:
You have seen browsing damage in previous plantings
Hares or rabbits are visible on site
The planting area is open pasture
Fencing is new or stock have recently been removed
You are investing heavily in plant stock and cannot afford losses
Prevention is almost always more cost-effective than replanting.
Types of Plant Protection Used in NZ
There are several approaches to protecting young native plants.
1. Plant Guards
Plant guards create a physical barrier around the plant, protecting against browsing pests, wind and spray drift.
Biodegradable guards are increasingly preferred over plastic alternatives, particularly for:
Farm planting
Council projects
Forestry blocks
Environmentally conscious landowners
EnviroGuards, for example, are:
Made in New Zealand
Fully biodegradable
Designed to last approximately 12–18 months
Supplied pre-glued for fast installation
Installed with 750mm bamboo stakes
Compatible with biodegradable weed mats
They provide reliable early-stage protection without leaving long-term plastic waste in the landscape.
2. Pest Control
In some situations, pest control programmes reduce browsing pressure. However:
Results vary
Ongoing control is required
It does not eliminate risk entirely
Physical plant protection often provides more consistent results for high-value planting projects.
3. Fencing
Excluding stock is essential, but fencing does not stop hares or rabbits. Even well-fenced areas may still require individual plant protection depending on pest pressure.
Choosing the Right Guard Height
Where browsing pests are present, guard height matters.
300mm guards are suitable for low to moderate pressure
450mm guards are recommended where large hares are common or browsing has previously occurred
Selecting the correct height at the beginning improves survival rates and reduces replacement costs.
Beyond Browsing: Additional Benefits of Guards
Plant guards also:
Reduce wind stress on exposed sites
Provide shelter for early growth
Protect against spray drift during spot spraying
Improve visibility of planting lines during maintenance
For large-scale projects, guards can increase overall establishment success and improve planting efficiency.
Planning for Large-Scale Planting Projects
If you are planning a farm block, forestry planting or large restoration area, consider protection as part of your upfront budgeting — not an afterthought.
Factoring in biodegradable guards from the start can:
Improve survival rates
Reduce long-term maintenance
Minimise plastic waste
Increase planting efficiency
For projects requiring large plant numbers, Riverside Horticulture can also contract grow plants in biodegradable systems such as EnviroPots, helping streamline planting logistics and reduce plastic handling onsite.
Final Thoughts
Every planting site in New Zealand is different. Pest pressure, exposure and scale all influence the level of protection required.
Where browsing pests are present, early plant protection is one of the most practical steps you can take to improve establishment success.
A small investment in protection during the first year can prevent significant losses later.