From a childhood exploring shrub-filled gorges around Taranaki, through a career learning about and looking after threatened native plants with DOC, John Barkla has never lost his love of plants. Currently John is the president of the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network - an organisation dedicated to advocating for plant conservation and sharing information about Aotearoa's native flora.
On a stroll through Dunedin's town belt John speaks to Claire about the threat status of native plants and the issues they are facing, as well as introducing her to some of the locals. Plus he puts his vote behind a dark horse, outside contender for the Favourite Plant competition - korthalsella lindsayi - the dwarf mistletoe.
John Barkla Photo: RNZ / Claire Concannon
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