A man holding a gecko.

From corporate life to conservation – how one man made the switch

For years, Reino Grundling was living two lives. He worked in the complicated world of international logistics by day, but his real passion was volunteering to trap and control possums, stoats, and rats across Wellington in his spare time. International logistics was a career that spanned more than two decades of Reino’s life.  “It sounded … Continue reading From corporate life to conservation – how one man made the switch

A shining cuckoo being fed by its grey warbler foster parent.

Mystery, migration and mucous membranes: 5 curious facts about the shining cuckoo

In early September, a unique summer visitor to Aotearoa begins to grace our shores, migrating from the tropics. The pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) certainly make an impression with their intriguing behaviours. From unusual breeding strategies to quirky culinary tastes, here are 5 curious facts about the shining cuckoo. 1. You won’t see a shining cuckoo raising … Continue reading Mystery, migration and mucous membranes: 5 curious facts about the shining cuckoo

Elephant weevil.

5 weird and wonderful native animals that aren’t birds

Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity extends far beyond our feathery friends. Prepare to be wowed by these five native species, from bizarre fuzzy weevils to very smelly bats. Elephant weevils – the fuzzy architects of the trees The elephant weevil is a strange critter found throughout New Zealand. This stout little insect is adorned with an … Continue reading 5 weird and wonderful native animals that aren’t birds

Man checks a Sentinel possum trap.

Troubleshooting tips: what to do if your possum trap isn’t catching any possums

So, you’ve set your possum trap, hoping to make a dent in the possum population destroying your fruit trees and eating birds’ eggs and invertebrates in your backyard…but your trap remains untouched. It’s time to try our troubleshooting tips to turn your luck around: 1. Find the right spot First things first, let’s check your … Continue reading Troubleshooting tips: what to do if your possum trap isn’t catching any possums

Waiter hands with platters holding different lures.

What’s on the menu? 5 lures that aren’t peanut butter

Is peanut butter not attracting predators like it used to? Let’s shake things up with five lures that’ll make your trap the hottest dining spot for rats, stoats or possums. But first, we need to understand the feeding behaviour of the introduced predators we’re trying to trap. Rats are the ultimate omnivores. They don’t discriminate … Continue reading What’s on the menu? 5 lures that aren’t peanut butter

A big blue takahē in the tussock

A dreamy new takahē book hits the shelves

Conservation success stories don’t get much more dramatic than the tale of the takahē. Takahē: Bird of Dreams takes readers on the rollercoaster of takahē conservation over the last 75 years. Written by award-winning broadcaster, writer and zoologist Alison Ballance, this beautiful book is filled with photographs of the birds and the people who’ve cared … Continue reading A dreamy new takahē book hits the shelves

A collage of toroa (albatross)

A tour of toroa

More kinds of toroa (albatross) breed in Aotearoa New Zealand, than anywhere else in the world. Get to know them this World Albatross Day and try our quiz. Predator free islands in our subantarctic region stand as the last remaining strongholds for toroa survival worldwide. Their breeding grounds are safe thanks to massive predator eradication … Continue reading A tour of toroa

Animal welfare agencies’ views on cat management 

Recently several animal welfare, conservation organisations and government agencies submitted their thoughts on national cat management. It may be surprising that there was a lot of agreement – here’s what they had to say. Parliament’s Environment Select Committee asked the organisations to share their views on the Petition of Erica Rowlands, requesting the mandatory registration … Continue reading Animal welfare agencies’ views on cat management 

NZ Dotterel in Sandstorm

Shooting their shot: the stories behind the stunning photographs

Wildlife photographers reveal the untold stories behind their stunning shots, and we launch our first-ever, Shoot Your Shot competition with Photo Warehouse (now closed). For every stunning wildlife photo you see, there’s a story.  When the opportunity for an incredible photo arises, it’s fleeting – just a moment to capture the moment. When it happens, … Continue reading Shooting their shot: the stories behind the stunning photographs

Smile for the camera: 5 tips for trail cameras

We have some easy ways to set yourself (and your traps) up for success using trail cameras. Predator control specialist Cam Speedy’s five simple tips will improve your camera skills in no time. If you’re tired of empty traps, you’ve probably realised it’s time to expand your trapping toolkit. Wildlife biologist Cam Speedy has over four … Continue reading Smile for the camera: 5 tips for trail cameras

Woman checking a trap in the bush.

Empowering communities: Unleash your community’s trapping prowess with these manuals

The Trap Audit Manual provides cunning strategies and expert tips to fine-tune your trapping networks, while the Trap Build Manual equips anyone with the know-how to construct their own traps.  The Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust (PFHCCT) actively assists communities in their region to protect native species from invasive predators. PFHCCT has developed two … Continue reading Empowering communities: Unleash your community’s trapping prowess with these manuals

Predator Free NZ Predator control calendar.

A new monthly reminder: the predator control calendar you can’t do without

This annual wall planner is full of useful information to help you tailor your predator control to seasonal changes in the environment and maximise your effectiveness. Information includes what predators might be up to in your landscape at different times of the year including what trees are attractive to possums, when birds are breeding and … Continue reading A new monthly reminder: the predator control calendar you can’t do without

A spider in a web with hearts around it.

Not creepy, just crawly: spiders are cooler than you think

This Halloween, spare a little love for symbols of the spooky season: spiders.  Supposedly scary but mostly misunderstood, these eight-legged creatures are vital to nature. There are more than 2000 species of pūngāwerewere (spider) in Aotearoa New Zealand, and most of them are endemic (i.e. as unique as the kiwi and kākāpō). Look beyond their … Continue reading Not creepy, just crawly: spiders are cooler than you think

A kākāpo

Why kākāpō are called kākāpō and other wildlife names

In Aotearoa New Zealand Māori are ‘tangata whenua’ – people of the land. This reflects the importance of te taiao (the environment) to Māori identity, culture, and tikanga.  Te reo Māori is shaped by the unique environment and wildlife. There is a depth of meaning to te reo Māori words. Often a one or two-word … Continue reading Why kākāpō are called kākāpō and other wildlife names

Mōhua on a branch.

Where have all the custard-heads gone? 5 facts on our rare mōhua

With the affectionate nickname of custard-head, it should be easy to recognise the mōhua (yellowhead). Their bright yellow plumage donning their heads should be a giveaway, right? Wrong. Did you know mōhua have an avian impersonator? Here we take a look at these fascinating birds, their interesting quirks, and the biggest challenges to their survival. … Continue reading Where have all the custard-heads gone? 5 facts on our rare mōhua

A kākāpō with two chicks, they are cuddling up to each other.

Love is in the air: bumper breeding season for kākāpō

Cupid’s bow and arrow have well and truly hit their mark this kākāpō breeding season. We’ve seen mammoth mating sessions, super-sized clutches, and reclusive bachelors getting back in the game.  This Valentine’s day, we take a look at one of the most successful kākāpō breeding seasons to date – and what it means for this … Continue reading Love is in the air: bumper breeding season for kākāpō

Understorey of NZ forest

The missing link: 5 crucial ways conservation and climate change are connected

Conservation and climate change have a lot in common. They are big challenges that require big solutions. The good news? Protecting the environment helps our native species – and can help address climate change too.  1. A predator-free forest absorbs more carbon dioxide Many of us know that forests are climate change warriors, thanks to … Continue reading The missing link: 5 crucial ways conservation and climate change are connected

A kākā perched on a fence

8 New Zealand ecosanctuaries you can’t miss this summer

Escape into nature these summer holidays by visiting some of our amazing New Zealand ecosanctuaries. Some incredible New Zealand ecosanctuaries are worth exploring while you’re out and about in your backyard this summer. From lush ancient forests in the far north to rugged and windswept coastal ecosystems in the far south, there is something just … Continue reading 8 New Zealand ecosanctuaries you can’t miss this summer

5 reasons why it’s time to join your local trapping group

New Zealanders join trapping groups for a number of reasons. They may want to protect our native species, leave our country in a better state for future generations or they may feel a strong sense of personal responsibility. Beyond the selfless motivations, joining a trapping group can be of great personal benefit. There are hundreds … Continue reading 5 reasons why it’s time to join your local trapping group

Rat in some leaf litter

Troubleshooting tips: What to do when your rat trap isn’t catching any rats

We’ve pulled together some tips to make your trap more effective. 1. Know your rat To trap rats successfully you need to know more about them, specifically their behaviours and what motivates them. Here are some interesting facts you should know about them: Rats thrive around humans Humans provide lots of food sources for rats … Continue reading Troubleshooting tips: What to do when your rat trap isn’t catching any rats

Mohua facts

The mohua, or yellowhead, is a small bird with a bright yellow head and breast. Early settlers called it the ‘bush canary’ because of its colour and beautiful song. The mohua’s story is a familiar one, of population decline since the 1800s. In the 1800s, the mohua was one of the most common birds in … Continue reading Mohua facts