Source: NZ Department of Conservation
New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 movement is stronger than ever with 9000+ community trapping initiatives and 20 large landscape projects. In this blog, we look at five stories from communities across the country that show the growing momentum behind Predator Free 2050.
DOC is the lead agency for PF2050 working in collaboration with iwi and hapū, NGOs, businesses, central and local government, scientists and communities. Tens of thousands of people are taking action for nature by trapping in backyards, joining predator-free groups and donating resources.
Our collective effort to eradicate rats, stoats and possums is making a huge difference. Together, we are providing greater protection for native species across millions of hectares of land, researching and innovating new tools and technologies, empowering more people and communities to get involved, and unlock ways to eradicate predators in new areas.
Predator Free Waiheke – guarding the mouth of the Waitematā
Since stoat eradication began on Waiheke Island five years ago, native bird numbers have increased by 76%. The work has proved particularly beneficial for stoat sensitive birds, such as kākā, which are up 388%, and kiwi, which were safely returned to the island earlier this year.
This success is a testament to the group’s perseverance and innovation. With a network of 1,700 traps checked every fortnight, volunteers have managed to catch 258 stoats on Waiheke.
Along the way, the locals have come up with some ingenious ideas. Their inventions include a portable ‘interceptor’ mesh fence designed to funnel stoats (or other mustelids) into a trap by blocking or limiting their preferred escape or travel pathways. There’s also a new trap in the mix, the ‘Salisbury saucer, which is a multi-entry trap system designed to blend into the environment. It’s Kiwi ingenuity at its finest!
There are already 17 predator free islands in the Hauraki Gulf, and they are bustling with wildlife. Waiheke is exceptional because it’s visited by nearly a million people every year. This presents a biosecurity challenge to stop predators from returning to the island on boats. If this can be managed, the island could eventually support large populations of rare native species, and the wider Auckland region would see more birds in backyards and reserves.
Predator Free Dunedin – people power
There are more than 1000 people trapping across Dunedin’s urban and rural areas. These volunteers are united through a collective of 22 organisations working together to protect native species, strengthen communities and share predator free expertise across the country.
On the ground, this coordinated effort is transforming the region. The Otago Peninsula is nearly free of possums which is enabling the forest to quickly regenerate. Native bird populations are increasing, and it’s becoming more common to see tūī, kererū, bellbird/korimako, kākā and rifleman/titipounamu in the region.
Predator Free Dunedin has played an important role in trialling new technology to target predators, such as scat detection dogs, drone technology with thermal imaging to survey harder-to-reach areas, and traps using AI to target specific predators.
Since 2018, hardworking people across Dunedin have removed more than 60,000 possums, 20,000 rats and 2,000 mustelids. The Predator Free 2050 movement is strong down south!
Predator Free Te Kinga – strengthening the lungs of NZ
On Te Tai Poutini (the West Coast), a collective of local farmers, businesses, mana whenua, and wildlife experts have banded together to remove invasive pests from Tekimoka/Mt Te Kinga, near Lake Brunner.
Under the banner of Predator Free Te Kinga, the team have removed possums from 4000 hectares of the 18,000ha project area. They’re close to declaring another 6,500 hectares around this core area possum-free as well, and feral cats, rats, stoats, and goats will be next.
Innovation is at the heart of their approach. They are using AI supported traps that target specific predators, and heavy-lift drones to bring tunnel traps into hard-to-reach areas.
Their vision includes the reintroduction and regeneration of taonga species such as roroa/great spotted kiwi, whio/blue duck, and pāteke/brown teal.
This is part of a growing alliance of groups taking action to protect the region’s rich biodiversity and vast forests which are described as the lungs of New Zealand. Together, we are working towards a Predator Free Tai Poutini, ensuring these ecosystems are healthy and resilient for generations to come.
Pest Free Banks Peninsula/Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū – a community united for nature
Saying there are no possums in town is a bold statement to make, but for Pest Free Banks Peninsula/Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū, it’s not a yarn.
The locals have united to make the Akaroa township possum free, with a network of traps and bait stations across more than 130 properties. The focus is now on defending the boundaries from any stealthy possums. A dedicated team of 20 rangers also roam the surrounding hills, valleys, coastlines, paddocks and parks every single day to monitor pests.
This community-led project is supported by DOC along with local government Ngāi Tahu rūnanga, and other conservation organisations. The long-term ambition is to remove pests from 110,000 hectares of the Banks Peninsula and then gradually expand the programme onto the Canterbury Plains.
Akaroa has the can-do attitude and team culture that will be needed in all our towns and cities to make New Zealand predator-free.
Predator Free Rakiura – the largest predator eradication attempt ever
Rakiura/Stewart Island has a mix of urban and conservation land covering about 175,000 hectares. This makes it the largest, most complex environment anyone has ever attempted to eradicate predators from.
Predator Free Rakiura is being led by DOC, Zero Invasive Predators, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in partnership with the local community. The aim is to remove feral cats, three species of rats, possums and hedgehogs to enable kākāpō and many other threatened native species to return and flourish on the island.
A trial was completed across 6,500 hectares in August alongside a predator control operation to save pukunui/Southern New Zealand dotterel from extinction. While the results are pending, the trial could pave the way for a larger eradication operation on the island in 2026.
What is learnt on Stewart Island/Rakiura will inform other predator free island projects across the country, including Predator Free Waiheke and Predator Free Aotea. It will also help to unlock new tools and methods for predator-free efforts on the mainland.
Rakiura is the missing link in a collection of existing predator free islands south of Bluff, including Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, Te Wharawhara/Ulva Island, Waitaua/Bench Island and most of the Tītī/Muttonbird Island chain. Further south, DOC is working to clear predators from Maukahuka/Auckland Island as well.
Just to name a few
For more information about some of the many other predator-free projects across the country, go to: Projects: Predator Free 2050
Learn more about how you can get involved in protecting nature: Get trapping
To find initiatives in towns, cities and remote areas across the country, see this map developed by the Predator Free New Zealand Trust: National map – Predator Free NZ Trust
