MAF Biosecurity is starting work with a Maori iwi to clear a marine pest from two sites on Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North.
The Australian sea squirt, or pyura, first appeared at Twilight Beach near Cape Reinga a few years ago.
It has since become widespread and has shown an ability to smother and displace native green shell mussels.
MAF scientist Brendan Gould says the sea squirt cannot be fully eradicated, but iwi are keen to remove it from some sites before it takes over.
Mr Gould says a team of four led by a marine scientist will cut the squirt off rocks, dispose of it on land and monitor various sites to see if it returns.
