Source: NZ Department of Conservation
When the Otago Peninsula was declared possum‑free in early March 2026, it marked a major milestone for the predator‑free movement and the communities who made it possible. Led by the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group and Predator Free Dunedin, it was the result of 15 years of dedicated work, including countless everyday actions from local residents: checking backyard traps, swapping tips over the fence, clearing trap lines, and welcoming volunteers onto their land.
Broad Bay/Whaka Oho Rahi resident Jamie Morris is one of those locals. He grew up on the Peninsula in the 80s and 90s. Back then, possums were everywhere.
“I remember we had a fruit tree – a greengage tree – and every year it would produce about one plum, because the possums would just destroy everything.”
After two decades away, he moved back to the Peninsula in 2022 and learnt about the eradication efforts.
“I thought that was very ambitious, because I grew up surrounded by them.”
His new home came with a single trap in the backyard, so he started with that. It led to meeting his neighbours, sharing tricks and tips.
He had a bit of time up his sleeve, so he reached out to the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, who assigned him a couple of existing nearby trap lines.
“That would involve me walking up the hill and across the neighbour’s property, through DOC reserves sometimes. But they also wanted to extend the network, so, starting with a trap from my own backyard, then going further up the hill, we put in new traps. I’d spend one day a week to make sure they were checked regularly and kept up to date.”
Getting out in nature and exercising is one of the things Jamie enjoys most about trapping.
“Living at the bottom of a hill and knowing that you have responsibilities at the top of it is great motivation to get out and walking around.”
But soon, it was the community aspect that really hooked him in.
“I got to meet some really interesting people along the way, people who worked for DOC or who were contracting, who just knew every trick in the book.”
Community events, including an annual possum-spotlighting night, helped bring people together and narrow down the last possums. He also got to see some incredible places that he’d never been to before, like remote parts of Sandymount Reserve.
“The big surprise was that there were still possums there – even at the far end of the most remote land, on top of the cliffs.”
As numbers dropped, it became clear the eradication goal was within reach. “At the beginning I was easily catching a couple a week, and then within a year it dropped to almost nothing.”
Jamie’s advice for new trappers is simple: Start with one trap in your backyard.
“The next tip is to find someone in your local neighbourhood – I learnt the tricks of bait and trap placement from chatting to neighbours.”
And get connected early with conservation groups, local predator‑free organisations, and DOC. They can help in all sorts of ways, and they always need volunteers.
Even with the possums gone, the work is never done. Jamie’s still a keen trapper, with the focus now shifting toward trapping rats and mustelids (stoats, weasels and ferrets).
Has he noticed a change compared to how it was when he was growing up? Absolutely, he says. His garden is thriving and full of native birds. There’s more pīwakawaka, tūī and kererū than ever, but Jamie says it’s the ground birds – pūkeko and paradise ducks – that are really flourishing.
And across the Peninsula, the greengage trees are full of plums.
What about you?
Do you have a trap at home, or are you keen to start?
Share your thoughts in the comments – your story might help someone else get involved.
