Source: NZ Department of Conservation
By Janel Hull
This summer, we expect the South Island to experience the biggest beech forest mast in seven years where trillions of seeds blanket forest floors. Beech masts provide a bounty of food but unfortunately also trigger a dangerous ripple effect for native species.
Food is abundant Rat and stoat populations boom Predators devastate precious native birds, bats, and insects.
Predator plague cycle:
Without expanded predator control, the consequences can be devastating. We’ve seen local extinctions before – like the loss of the last mohua population in Mount Stokes following a beech mast without adequate predator control.
But there’s also hope. Predator control helps nature bounce back with native bird and bat numbers increasing.
Our National Predator Control Programme is stepping up with an expanded predator control programme. Thanks to a funding boost from the International Visitor Levy, we’re able to carry out 15 predator control operations this year at high priority sites across about 650,000ha of South Island beech forests. Priority sites for predator control included Kahurangi, Mount Aspiring, Arthur’s Pass, and Fiordland national parks. We’re planning a second round of predator control work in these forests from late 2026.
Our two-round approach to beech masts targets predators before seeding this year and after seed is gone from late 2026. This approach is backed by strong science and results because it targets predators when food is scarce and they’re more likely to eat toxic bait.
The outcomes of our predator control speak for themselves. In the Landsborough Valley, over 20 years of sustained predator control has led to native bird populations more than doubling. Populations of rare birds like kākā and mohua are also on the rise.
Landsborough Valley:
Our National Predator Control Programme’s work is critical. It’s about preventing extinctions and giving our wildlife a fighting chance to recover and thrive – especially during a major beech mast.
You can also do your bit ‘naturing’ by trapping in your backyards, joining a local predator free group or donating as we work towards the Predator Free 2050 goal.
