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Every community counts
Founded in 2013, the Predator Free New Zealand Trust is an independent charitable trust that works alongside a variety of agencies, organisations and groups, all with the shared vision of a predator free Aotearoa New Zealand.
It’s our role to connect community groups, iwi, families and individuals and give them support, advice and encouragement to help control predators and create a safe space for our unique native species.
We all have a role to play
The Trust helps groups, individuals and families get started, offer products and equipment for sale, and provide up to date best practice information — anything you need to know about getting started or improving your predator control.
We also encourage groups and landowners to add their trapping area to a national map to see where they fit as part of the national campaign, help volunteers connect with them and to identify where there might be opportunities to close gaps or align with neighbours.
Behind the scenes
The Trust comprises a small and agile team of part-time and full-time staff, including CE Jessi Morgan, along with Margaret Mather, Allison Hess, Jaime Philips, Janine Hearn, Andrew James, Bridget McSherry, Faye O’Sullivan, Lynne Hemsley, Donna Clifford and David Lewis.
Our Trustees are Andrea Byrom, Fenton Wilson, Gareth Morgan, Richard Abbott, Estelle Leask, Eugenie Sage and Lou Sanson.
Our mission and purpose
Our role is to support the grassroots predator free movement with a mission to connect and energise all New Zealanders towards a predator free Aotearoa.
We Inspire
We tell the stories of volunteer groups, businesses, farmers, inventors and scientists; aiming to make predator free mainstream and something everyone can see themselves as part of the movement.
We Enable
The Trust provides access to equipment, best practice information, resources, research and expert advice. We want to make it easy and accessible for people to get involved.
Our Predator Free Communities programme provides funding to build capacity and remove barriers to starting the predator free mahi.
Through Jobs for Nature funding we facilitate an apprentice programme to help increase capacity and capability in the predator free sector.
We Advocate
As an independent organisation, the Predator Free New Zealand Trust appeals to government policy and decision-makers to ensure momentum and an ongoing commitment to achieving a predator free Aotearoa New Zealand.
We also advocate for community conservation to ensure their contribution is valued and they are considered in policy and decisions.
Our programmes
Predator Free Communities Funding
Caring for and protecting our natural environment is key to our future. Local community led projects connect communities around a common goal and make them more resilient. Our Predator Free Communities programme provides communities with humane traps and equipment to help communities control predators in their own backyards.
Over the last 7 years, we have supported more than 90 backyard communities across the country impacting over 30,000 backyards.
Predator Free Apprenticeship Programme
Launched in 2020, this programme aims to grow the number of experienced animal predator control specialists around the country, increasing the capability and capacity of the predator free sector. Funded by the DOC Jobs for Nature, it provides a career path for up to 75 apprentices, providing practical experience with a range of predator control tools, techniques and operations.
Apprentices complete the NZQA Certificate in Pest Operations (Level 3) and other relevant industry qualifications. They will also provide local on-the-ground support to conservation community groups, landowners, and other projects.
