The Kikuyu Action Group (KAG) was formed in 1999. Comprising Northland farmers, advisors and researchers the KAG has conducted trials and commissioned research to provide a “tool box” of options for farmers to improve the management of kikuyu-dominant pasture, and improve results, according to their farm policies and circumstances.

Interest in the work of the group has always been high, and has been widely shared through field days, conference papers, media articles and seven summary information booklets. The material from these booklets forms the nucleus of this web-based kikuyu management resource.

Kikuyu grass was introduced into New Zealand by the Department of Agriculture in the early 1920’s as cuttings from a Rhodesian source, although there may have been earlier informal releases. Kikuyu is the anglicised version of the proper noun Gikuyu, the most populous ethnic group of tribespeople in Kenya. Kikuyu grass is native to the African countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. It is now naturalised in northern and southern Africa, tropical Asia, Australia, New Zealand, south-west mainland United States, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, South America, Melanesia and Polynesia.

Department of Agriculture officers conducted trials at Albany (Auckland) and Purewa (Whangarei) and farmers visiting these trials were impressed with the growth of the plant and its adaptation to poorer soils. So cuttings from the trials were readily distributed around the northern North Island. By 1974 it had spread to about 10% of Northland farmland (some 100,000 ha) and it was considered a dominant pastures species over more than half of Northland farms.

In the 1950’s many of its characteristics as a pasture species were becoming clear and E.H. Arnold, an Assistant Field Superintendent in the Department of Agriculture, Auckland, reported to a Grasslands Conference:

“Kikuyu grass is here to stay and is spreading far and wide. Eradication is possible, but at a prohibitive cost. Most areas are left as an uncontrolled menace, but quite a number of farmers are successfully using this grass to their advantage. Regular controlled grazing management, at times with the use of the electric fence, is essential. Autumn and early winter growth is best eaten off before frosts occur. Most kikuyu areas, instead of being left a liability, can be made into an asset.”