Volunteers

Restoring native wildlife to urban areas is gaining momentum. Another 13 community groups across the motu (country) will receive a portion of $50,000 to realise their trapping dreams.  The Predator Free New Zealand Trust helps outstanding predator free communities buy bait stations, chew cards, and traps and to spread the word in their communities.  Over … Continue reading Funding awarded to bring birds and bugs back to backyards

The Kaharoa Forest near Rotorua is a kōkako stronghold with a relict (original) population still holding on. Thanks to decades of predator control, bird numbers there have steadily risen, but to keep the population growing and thriving, the kōkako need more habitat.   The Kōkako Ecosystem Expansion Programme (KEEP) has ambitious plans to overcome this habitat … Continue reading Creating corridors for kōkako

When it comes to protecting nature, these five rangatahi “understood the assignment”. There’s a question mark hanging over their future ability to enjoy wildlife and wild places in Aotearoa New Zealand, but these rangatahi have taken conservation into their own hands. 1. Finn Giddy – trapper and hunter Finn is combining his love of hunting … Continue reading Bright future: 5 rangatahi shaping conservation

A gutsy group of Queen Charlotte Sound locals are chasing their dream of a regenerated native forest. Propelled by community camaraderie the group has removed wilding pines, brought down goat and possum numbers and is now ready to start planting natives on a swath of land between Picton and the Tory Channel. Growing community Queen … Continue reading Putting down roots

Predator Free Riccarton is one of the newest community trapping groups in Christchurch and there’s plenty of work ahead for the tenacious group of volunteers. For Jade Humphrey, the future is birds. Lots of birds. But as the founder of Predator Free Riccarton, the present is rats. Lots of rats. “We were doing monitoring and … Continue reading ‘Putting power in their hands’: the student teaching a community to trap

Before the arrival of humans, the Chatham Islands were teeming with animal life. Geographically isolated for millions of years, fauna and flora living on the Chathams evolved into unique species found nowhere else in the world. The human introduction of rats, possums and feral cats has devastated the island’s once rich biodiversity. But there’s hope … Continue reading Is the future of the Chatham Islands predator free?

It turns out it’s not just the birds that benefit from backyard trapping. Research by Zealandia’s Centre for People and Nature shows being involved in community trapping is also good for your mental health.  MenzSheds throughout the country offer people a space to get together and connect while doing something practical. Lots of Sheds focus … Continue reading The light at the end of the trapping tunnel

What started as a way to get out of the house during lockdown quickly turned into an innovative trapping venture. Now, thanks to one Coromandel man’s clever and out of the box methods, residents are seeing some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest birds wading through their backyards. Creative catches When it comes to trapping, it … Continue reading Clever and crafty Phil Wilson’s guide to trapping success

Predator Free Wellington (PFW) is on a mission – they want to be the first predator free capital city in the world. And so far the project has been a huge success – the Miramar Peninsula is now free from Norway rats and weasels. Native birds have increased by 33% since the project began, with … Continue reading Sinking ship rats on the Miramar Peninsula

They say good things come in threes and Towards Predator-Free Taranaki takes this statement to heart. With three massive predator control projects currently underway, the organisation is well on the path to achieving its goal of becoming one of the first predator free regions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Three projects targeting three introduced predators “When … Continue reading Towards Predator-Free Taranaki’s three-pronged approach to tackling its predators

Today we’ve awarded $50,000 in funding to 13 Predator Free community groups, which will be used to kickstart new backyard communities and help existing groups expand their progress. The successful groups span across the length and breadth of the country, with each group looking to utilise their funding in a different way.  Some are creating … Continue reading Funding injection boosts efforts of 13 predator free community groups across NZ

John Bissell of Save the Kiwi wants quality, not quantity, predator control. “Give me better, not just more,” says John.  John is Save the Kiwi’s National Predator Advisor. He works on projects across the country specialising in high-quality predator control to protect threatened species like kiwi. John is a predator control expert with many years … Continue reading How do you make a habitat safe for kiwi? A Q&A with John Bissell

Kuaka/bar-tailed godwits have the right idea. Along with other migratory birds, they enjoy an endless summer.  Each year, as the northern hemisphere’s summer comes to an end, these long-haul experts leave their Alaskan breeding grounds and migrate south. After a non-stop 11,000km flight, Pūkorokoro/Miranda, along the Firth of Thames, is one of the destinations where … Continue reading The godwits have returned: A Q&A with Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre

Fondly referred to by some as ‘Dots’, New Zealand dotterels are appealing little shore birds, their sharp ‘cheep’ call signalling their constant alertness to possible danger. They need to be watchful. Dotterels nest on the ground, where the camouflage of their colouring gives some protection against aerial predators but not against mammals. Camouflage isn’t much … Continue reading Omaha community is looking out for its dotterels

Kia Puawai ai ngā taonga o Manukapua (fostering the birds of Manukapua) is the project and kaupapa of the Tapora Land & Coast Care Group. This dedicated group is restoring Manukapua, a special sand dune island that holds cultural, spiritual, historical and ecological significance.  Manukapua, also known as Big Sand Island, is located on the … Continue reading Fostering the birds of Manukapua: Q&A with Tapora Land & Coast Care Group

For 10 years, Brad Windust has been trapping introduced predators in sections of the Ōpua State Forest. The Ōpua State Forest spans 2000 hectares and is a coastal lowland Kāuri forest in the heart of the Bay of Islands. This forest is home to rare flora and fauna populations that are seriously under threat. Introduced … Continue reading Backyard Legends: Brad Windust from Bay Bush Action

Rod Morris has been telling stories about our natural history for more than four decades. He’s been a zookeeper, a teacher, an author, and a wildlife ranger. For half of that period, he was a natural-history filmmaker, producing and directing documentaries about some of our best-loved birds – kiwi, kākāpō, kōkako, kea, kakī (black stilt), … Continue reading Backyard Legends: Rod Morris, Nature Photographer & Conservationist

‘Whakatāne’s kiwi lady’ Bridget Palmer is dedicated to protecting the environment and saving the North Island brown kiwi. For over 18 years, Bridget was a Conservation Ranger for the Department of Conservation (DOC) working to protect our amazing wildlife and Whakatāne’s reputation as the ‘kiwi capital of the world’.  More recently, Bridget left DOC to … Continue reading Backyard Legends: Bridget Palmer

In 2017, Dan Henry, together with some friends, set up Predator Free Miramar and encouraged the community to start backyard trapping in an effort to rid the suburb of rats and other introduced predators, and bring back the birds to Wellington’s eastern suburbs.  Four years on, they’ve created a community made up of over 1000 … Continue reading Backyard Legends: Dan Henry

The Paparoa Wildlife Trust is a small community organisation made up of dedicated locals who are passionate about looking after the roroa (great spotted kiwi) in their backyard.  Since 2006, the Paparoa Wildlife Trust has been running a trapping programme in the southern Paparoa Ranges, north of Greymouth on the West Coast. Today, it is … Continue reading What is it like running a kiwi crèche? A Q&A with PWT

Wildlife photographer Sam Purdie is capturing our lesser-known natives on camera. He hopes that by photographing them, it will raise the awareness of these special and often endangered species. Sam is a self-described ‘animal man’ who has studied zoology and is passionate about all of our native fauna – great and small.  We’re speaking with Sam … Continue reading Photographing our lesser-known natives: A Q&A with Sam the animal man

We are pleased to announce eleven community groups who will receive Predator Free Backyard Communities funding. We received over a hundred applications and the majority were from highly motivated groups ready to make a difference in their communities. Friends of Riverpark Reserve, Auckland Friends of Riverpark Reserve is an existing group that has made great … Continue reading Predator Free Backyard Funding 2021 Announced

The Eastern Whio Link is a conservation project with a difference. Based in the Upper Waioeka between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki, this project is dedicated to restoring a healthy whio (blue duck) population to the Waioeka waterways. We’re going to be chatting with Sam Gibson from The Eastern Whio Link. Sam is an active hunter and … Continue reading Protecting a very special duck: Q&A with Eastern Whio Link

Sarah Little spends her time caring for kākāpo on Whenua Hou, tramping around Aotearoa and telling conservation stories through her popular cartoons.  Today, we’re chatting with the incredible conservationist behind the cartoons. Sarah, thank you so much for the opportunity to interview you today.  Firstly, what sparked your passion for conservation? I’ve been obsessed with … Continue reading Ranger, illustrator and bird nerd: Sarah Little

The current round of Predator Free Backyard Communities funding is open. Communities wanting to become predator free can now apply for funding that will support trapping in their backyards.  To be eligible to apply for funding a community should be a suburb or town, or a community of rural houses clustered together. The programme specifically … Continue reading Predator Free Backyards funding is now open

Take a drive along Coromandel’s spectacular scenic 309 Road and there’s a spot, somewhere around halfway between Coromandel town and Whitianga where a tarseal street branches off from the famous winding gravel 309. A steel security gate stops the curious from venturing any further without an invitation – so what actually lies beyond? Believe it … Continue reading Hidden haven off Coromandel’s 309 Road

Ernie Mason remembers that growing up, helping his parents break in their farm, he was always a kid for the bush… always hunting. Its a love that’s stayed with him throughout his working life. At 72 years old Ernie is still going strong, working around 15 days per month as biosecurity ranger at Mamaku Point … Continue reading Mamaku Point ranger doesn’t let age hold him back

In the far south of the South Island, in Otatara, Southland, there is a totara dune forest where ancient trees bend and twist and brace themselves against the prevailing winds. Sculpted by the winds, they grow in unusual shapes on the higher parts of the dry sand dunes. “Totara dune forests are unusual and pretty … Continue reading Ancient totara dune forest becomes new Southland reserve

Barbara Clarke’s cats, Sammy and Smudge enjoy a fantastic view over the Pukawa bush reserve from their favourite sunspot on the deck. But because they’re indoor cats that’s as close as they get to the rich birdlife and insect life in the adjacent forest. Pukawa is located roughly halfway between Turangi and Taumarunui. Barbara and … Continue reading Fenced in felines – keeping cats and wildlife safe

While others may have been more idle than usual during the recent Covid 19 Lockdown, 97-year-old Peter Whitehead was busy in his workshop building trapboxes to help protect the local yellow-eyed penguins – and he’s still busy. “I’ve made about 85 to 87 so far,” he says. “I’ve got 11 ready and waiting to be … Continue reading 97-year-old comes to aid of Moeraki penguins

Got a freshly dead stoat in your trap? Want to feed your family a tasty meal. No – we’re not offering up stoat recipes here. But the black tip of a stoat’s tail makes a great fishing lure for catching trout and if you’re keen to give a stoat tail fly a go, Taupo’s ‘Didymo … Continue reading ‘Didymo Dave’ makes trout lures from stoat tails

Community conservation hubs are the subject of much, if very recent, discussion in New Zealand. As a result the Predator Free NZ Trust recently commissioned a report from The Catalyst Group’s Dr Marie Doole (nee Brown) looking into hubs, their challenges, benefits and what support they need to ensure success. In recent years community conservation … Continue reading Better together? A review of community conservation hubs in New Zealand

Eion Harwood, coordinator for Russell Landcare Trust’s ‘Kiwi Protection’ project, has been spending a lot of time observing rat behaviour on the 15 trail cameras that the group has set up across 450 hectares of the Russell Peninsula where they carry out intensive rat control. The group also carries out stoat and possum control over … Continue reading Tree-mounted rat trap boxes prove successful for Russell Peninsula group

We are pleased to announce the addition of another 11 communities to our Predator Free Community programme — taking the total number of communities we support to 66. The latest round of funding was highly competitive. The majority of applications were from well organised, highly motivated communities wanting to make a difference in their backyards. … Continue reading Latest round of predator free communities announced

Matakohe – Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour, was once the site of Matakohe pa, with extensive kumara gardens. Later ‘Limestone Island’ was home to a cement works, one of the earliest industrial sites in Whangarei and founded in 1856. Then, after the cement works was abandoned, limestone was quarried on the island until 1963. The … Continue reading Near-barren island transformed to harbour sanctuary

It’s ‘all go’ for yellow-eyed penguins – 2019 Bird of the Year – and those who help protect them. ‘Penguin Season’ is underway in Otago and Southland as staff and volunteers from the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust search for this year’s nests in North Otago, Otago Peninsula and the Catlins. Dave McFarlane is Field Manager for … Continue reading Breeding season underway for yellow-eyed penguins – 2019 Bird of the Year

When software developer, Andy Saunders, returned from the UK a few years ago, he bought a property in Whiriwhiri, a stone’s throw from where he grew up in North West Waikato. “When we arrived in 2010 the bird life here was phenomenal! We counted 12 kererū in our pōhutukawa one day (Andy took a photo … Continue reading Predator Free Whiriwhiri forms to halt return of possums and rats

Otatara Landcare Group (OLG) in Southland has just celebrated its 20th year and two other impressive milestones: OLG’s total volunteer effort has reached 15,000 volunteer hours and 30,000 locally grown native plants have now been planted at its flagship restoration project at Bushy Point! So how did Otatara Landcare’s volunteers celebrate? They planted more trees, … Continue reading Bushy Point volunteers hold Triple Celebration

Ian Turnbull’s father was a member of the Central Otago Lakes Branch of Forest and Bird back in 1998 when the group first began trapping in the beech forest of the Makarora Valley near Wanaka. Now Ian himself is retired and part of the dedicated trapping team. “There were a small number of mohua left … Continue reading Saving mohua motivates Makarora Valley trappers

For the last 20 years or so, an area of gravel has been slowly forming at Robinson Bay on the Eastbourne foreshore, just across the harbour from Wellington City. Then about 9 years ago banded dotterels (pohowera/tūturiwhatu) arrived and began trying to breed on the beach, right in front of Eastbourne’s houses. The shingle expanse … Continue reading MIRO helps out overlooked banded dotterels

Project Island Song is a Bay of Islands wildlife sanctuary that celebrates the native subtropical habitat, lush with vegetation and alive with birdsong. Thousands of trees have been planted, and five rare and endangered species have been reintroduced with more reintroductions planned. The project is a partnership between community conservation group the Guardians of the … Continue reading Biosecurity essential to success of Project Island Song

There’s a stoat stalking the greens at Hastings Golf Club and members are determined to catch it. In fact, the stealthy stoat has inspired the start of a comprehensive trapping programme for other introduced predators, including any rats, possums or hedgehogs hanging out on the wilder fringes off the fairway. Trapping project coordinator, Murray McNae, … Continue reading Stealthy stoat eludes Hastings Golf Club trappers

“Community conservation work should be designated a sport,” Helen Lindsay believes, “Then it might get more funding.” Helen is Chair of the Otuwhero Wetland Trust and cites the (sporting) benefits of being part of a conservation volunteer team. “It has good social benefits,” she says. “You’re working with people who have the same interests, it’s … Continue reading Otuwhero Wetland Trust cites ‘sporting benefits’ of volunteer work

Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi Forest Sanctuary and Historic Homestead lies 25km north of Whanganui and has a long history of community-led conservation, going back to the early 1960s. “It’s had its ups and downs,” according to Mandy Brooke who has managed the Sanctuary since 2014, “but it’s an amazing example of long-term conservation. The forest is a … Continue reading Community-led conservation dates back to 1960s at Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi

Injured and sick wildlife have been pouring into Dunedin’s new wildlife hospital since it opened just over a year ago. Some are sick and starving, others have had a close encounter with a shark, while a significant number of native wildlife were wounded during a narrow escape from people’s pets. Each patient has a story … Continue reading Wildlife Hospital patients show scars of narrow escapes

The New Zealand Conservation Trust (NZCT), based in Christchurch, has one of the largest kiwi breeding facility facilities in the South Island. They have an office at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and work closely with Willowbank Wildlife Reserve staff who manage and care for three different kiwi species juvenile kiwi. Last season (2017-2018) over 56 kiwi … Continue reading NZ Conservation Trust raise kiwi and trap stoats

It’s not just native birds that the Tamahunga Trappers are keen to protect. There’s a native iris growing in their reserve that isn’t found anywhere else in the world. “One of our members is a keen amateur botanist and we keep a list of any new plants we discover,” says David Wilson, chairperson of the … Continue reading Tamahunga Trappers look out for rare plants as well as wildlife

Dai Morgan says there’s a job for everyone in the Parihaka Landcare Group. “It’s not too onerous. There are different grades of work. It’s usually one Sunday a month and all done in three hours. The traplines can be checked in small sections,” he adds. “If we get enough people, we can do it very … Continue reading Parihaka volunteer roles ‘not too onerous’ and everyone welcome

Since forming in Feb 2018, the Wanaka Backyard Trapping Group has been going from strength to strength. “The Post Shop approached us about putting up a display,” explains the group’s co-ordinator, Kris Vollebregt. “It was great. Customers were all standing in the Post Shop queue line by the display – it’s a captive audience! The … Continue reading Post Shop and workshops help new Wanaka group recruit backyard trappers

Rifleman are spreading across Martins Bay in Fiordland and there are more kakariki and kaka – “lots more than ever encountered before”. Those are just some of the encouraging results reported after the latest bird counts commissioned by the Hollyford Conservation Trust and carried out by Te Anau company ‘Mainly Fauna’. “We have had anecdotal … Continue reading Latest bird survey confirms Hollyford Conservation Trust success

Five Auckland suburbs, 16,000 households – if you think it sounds like an ambitious trapping project, you’re not far wrong. Innovative ideas, funding support and well thought out planning are all going to be crucial in the months and years ahead for the Eastern Bays Songbird Project. The backyard component of the trapping programme is … Continue reading Eastern Bays Songbird Project ambitious and innovative

Adele Earnshaw grew up in rural Warkworth on a 7-acre property that edged a river, a tributary of the Mahurangi River and with a huge area of native bush nearby. Kiwi have always been special to her. “During my childhood I was always looking for kiwi,” Adele remembers, “But Dad used to say, ‘no Dell, … Continue reading Adele Earnshaw uses art to help Opua kiwi

Bob and Karen Schumacher have been working “8 days a week since 2004” to help kiwi at their QEII covenanted property at Purangi in East Taranaki, with an extensive trapping programme using best practice techniques that has steadily grown to encompasses more and more wildlife habitat. “We do the basics consistently, month in, month out,” … Continue reading ‘8 days a week’ effort for Purangi kiwi

Arlo Poore is only 5 years old – but he’s already something of an experienced trapper. He regularly helps Dad, Stuart, check his two traplines on the Ashley rivermouth and estuary near Waikuku in North Canterbury. “Arlo gets excited when we’ve caught something,” says Stuart. “He’s good at recognising stoats, weasels and rats. We get … Continue reading Young trappers keen to help on Ashley estuary

Riverlands Rambles is an occasional diary by Wade and Jan Doak that allows the reader a glimpse into another world. This e-book, available to download at a very modest price through Amazon, tells the stories of a special part of mainland New Zealand on the Tutukaka Coast of Northland, where introduced mammal predators have effectively … Continue reading Riverland Rambles gives glimpse of predator free utopia

Up around the Russell Peninsula, in the Bay of Islands, they have a healthy kiwi population that most parts of New Zealand would envy. “You’re far more likely to see a kiwi running across the road than a possum,” says Eion Harwood, co-ordinator of Russell Kiwi Protection, a special project set up a couple of … Continue reading Group protects kiwi on Russell Peninsula

Traplordz is the very cool name of a very new group in the Wellington backyard trapping network. Started by three good mates, Tait Burge, Hugo Reeve and Claudie Ramsden-Bradley, Traplordz was launched just a few weeks ago with the aim of engaging young people living in flats – students and others – in trapping pests … Continue reading Traplordz aim to get students trapping

There’s a new topic of conversation doing the rounds of the beach-side cafes and neighbourhood of Sumner in Christchurch. “It’s surprising who gets very proud of catching a dead rat,” says Gabe Ross, coordinator of Te Manu Waiata Project, otherwise known as Predator Free Sumner. “People are pretty enthusiastic, and we’ve had some very positive … Continue reading Rat catches get people talking in Sumner

Andrew Roxburgh reckons the Newtown area of Wellington where he lives is becoming a more wild place – “and that’s pretty cool!” Andrew is a volunteer with Predator Free Mt Cook/Newtown/Berhampore and says that as birds are spreading out from Zealandia, people are becoming more aware of them. They’re noticing native birds more. “Kaka are … Continue reading Everyday life goes ‘wild’ in Newtown

Rotokare Scenic Reserve, near Eltham in South Taranaki is a stunning reserve of mature native bush, wetlands and a 17.8hectare natural lake that was first gazetted as a reserve in the late 19th Century. But by the beginning of the 21st Century the area was in visible decline and that in turn, influenced some people’s … Continue reading Rotokare Scenic Reserve valued and thriving once more

When Ōhiwa resident Andrew Glaser pitched the concept of a management group to coordinate protection efforts on and around the Ōhiwa Headland, the community immediately liked the idea. Andrew found out just how much they liked the idea not long afterwards, when he was walking his dog one evening. The conversation went something like this:(voice … Continue reading Small Ōhiwa community are big supporters of predator control

A dedicated team of volunteers contribute an impressive 13,000 hours of work each year to Orokonui Ecosanctuary, just north of Dunedin. “Our volunteers help with every single thing we do,” says Orokonui’s general manager, Chris Baillie. “They have a very strong sense of community ownership of the Ecosanctuary. Volunteers are rostered to come on certain … Continue reading Volunteers are vital at Orokonui

Field co-ordinator, John Caygill reckons it’s “a bit of a scramble” checking the traplines on the Rainy Creek Project, “And on some lines there’s a lot of scramble!” he says. Rainy Creek is situated just east of Reefton, on the South Island’s West Coast. John himself lives in Greymouth, an hour’s drive away, but comes … Continue reading Bush savvy volunteers have ‘a bit of a scramble’

In Central Otago the locals are becoming increasingly proud of their giant lizards. “Reptiles are our megafauna,” says Grant Norbury, a Landcare Research scientist based in Alexandra and chair of the Central Otago Ecological Trust, which created a small fenced sanctuary and released the first rare lizards there back in 2009. But the reptiles weren’t … Continue reading Sanctuary raises profile of endemic lizards

A few years back, John Collins of Omaui got sick of shooting possums every night. He decided more needed to be done. Omaui is a small village of about 30 houses in Southland, located right at the mouth of the Oreti River estuary, opposite Oreti Beach. “I’ve always been environment-minded,” says John, who is now … Continue reading Possums sorted – look out Omaui rats

The beautiful, remote Matukituki Valley is located between Mt Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka. It’s mossy beech forests, pristine glaciers, alpine plants and birdlife (including noisy kea on the hut roof), inspired a young James K. Baxter to write ‘Poem in the Matukituki Valley’ back in 1949. Today thousands of visitors come to explore … Continue reading Wild beauty of Matukituki Valley continues to inspire

A banana impersonated a rat and got mashed at a recent school assembly at Patumahoe – and the pupils along with many of their parents got a very visual, not to mention messy, demonstration of the humane killing power of Goodnature’s self-resetting A24 rat traps. Volunteers from Kiwibank Predator Free Patumahoe were splattering banana across … Continue reading Kiwibank Predator Free Goes Bananas in Patumahoe

It’s been a while since we caught up with BRaid—Braided River aid—and lots has been happening in the interim. First up, in the ‘about to happen’ category is a free predator control workshop planned for Saturday 28 October at Woodend in North Canterbury. PFNZ Trust is helping out with costs and the workshop is open … Continue reading BRaid offers free trapping workshop – open to all

Bluff Hill, at the southernmost tip of the South Island, is home to one of the few mainland colonies of titi/muttonbirds in New Zealand. Hundreds of birds have their burrows on the hillside and their arrival every evening and departure again at dawn makes for a spectacular sight. But one dawn morning back around mid … Continue reading Titi inspires formation of Bluff Hill group

‘Many hands make light work’, so the saying goes – although in the case of the Kapiti Coast community, it’s a matter of ‘many volunteers make radio work’. Conservation volunteers, other community members and innovative technology companies from Paekakariki and as far away as Great Barrier Island have all contributed time and expertise. Together they’ve … Continue reading Traps, technology and lizard tales on the Kapiti Coast

The kokako are back and breeding successfully in Northland’s Puketi Forest, but it’s been a long battle to get them there – a battle fought by the Puketi Forest Trust in partnership with Iwi, the local community and the Department of Conservation, helped out by strong sponsorship support from individuals and philanthropic funders like Foundation … Continue reading Puketi Forest Trust’s battle for kokako leads to breeding success