Predator Free Ngaio community picnic stand.

Bird banter: how Predator Free Ngaio grew a thriving community

This Wellington community group shares their secret recipe for success. Once every fortnight, a ping can be heard across hundreds of households in the inner Wellington suburb of Ngaio… It’s the e-newsletter from Predator Free Ngaio – a kind of community noticeboard connecting more than 600 households to the latest news, anecdotes, predator capture data, … Continue reading Bird banter: how Predator Free Ngaio grew a thriving community

Wildlife sanctuary with a big rat

How a wildlife sanctuary accidentally trained rats to avoid traps

In the struggle to achieve its predator free status, Kaipupu Sanctuary faced unexpected challenges, including inadvertently training a population of rats to avoid traps. Stepping onto the floating jetty at Kaipupu Sanctuary in Waitohi (Picton), you’re greeted by a wall of native bush and a chorus of birdsong. The peninsula, a short jaunt from the … Continue reading How a wildlife sanctuary accidentally trained rats to avoid traps

A landscape view - with trees and ocean.

All go in the garden city: predator free groups rewild Ōtautahi

Imagine if you could redesign your town or city. Would you fill it with concrete and cars or native bush and birds? The 2011 earthquakes brought pain and rupture to Ōtautahi (Christchurch), but they also created space for new ideas. Now, more than a decade later, grassroots community groups are helping the city embrace its … Continue reading All go in the garden city: predator free groups rewild Ōtautahi

A collection of wooden trap tunnels with Predator Free Muriwai stencilled on the back.

Communities unite to rebuild predator control efforts after cyclone

Communities from cyclone-hit areas will receive funding to rebuild their predator control efforts in our latest round of funding.  A slice of $50,000 is on the way to 13 community groups as the grassroots predator control movement grows. Special mention goes out to those communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Amid the chaos, destruction and repairs, … Continue reading Communities unite to rebuild predator control efforts after cyclone

A volunteer servicing a trap line

5 insights from women in conservation

The gender gap in conservation is no secret — fewer than 30 percent of the world’s researchers are women. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we spoke to five women in conservation with advice and insights to inspire others to realise “I can do that, too.” 1. Being inspired by the taonga you’re protecting – Sarah … Continue reading 5 insights from women in conservation

A group of people tramping through bush

Funding opens for predator free backyard community groups

The fund aims to empower communities wanting to rally together to remove invasive predators from their backyards. Are you ready to protect your backyard from harmful invasive predators like rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels, and possums? Now is a great time to get together with a few like-minded people in your community and talk about conservation … Continue reading Funding opens for predator free backyard community groups

Fluffy ōi chick being held.

Protecting fluffballs: what it takes to save nesting ōi

Tucked into cliff burrows vulnerable little fluff-balls are living alone, visited once a week by their parents for feeding. These ōi (grey-faced petrel) babies won’t fully fledge until the height of summer, which means many months of living alone – only a claw’s reach from passing stoats and rats.  Luckily for the ōi, they won’t … Continue reading Protecting fluffballs: what it takes to save nesting ōi

Someone scrolling through social media

Click for conservation: Can social media make a difference for native species?

If you’re reading this because you clicked on a social media link, this story is for you. Before you got here, you were probably scrolling aimlessly through your feed, and somewhere between the ad for pet food, the latest celebrity scandal and a viral TikTok recipe, you saw this post, which made you stop. Maybe … Continue reading Click for conservation: Can social media make a difference for native species?

Two kererū perched in a tree.

Funding awarded to bring birds and bugs back to backyards

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

A group of people on a boat.

Putting down roots

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

Jade with a trap box in the forest.

‘Putting power in their hands’: the student teaching a community to trap

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

Robin perched on a branch

Is the future of the Chatham Islands predator free?

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?

A flying black-fronted turn

Hope floats: protecting our endangered terns and gulls

Have you ever needed to take a pack rafting course to be able to carry out your day job? Apprentice ecologist Keegan Miskimmin has. Why? Because the most effective way to assess new breeding colonies for endangered river birds is by raft.  As part of his work with Wildlife Management International Ltd, Keegan spent four … Continue reading Hope floats: protecting our endangered terns and gulls

Brothers Daniel and Matthew Wilson with DOC 200s and SA2 traps

Clever and crafty Phil Wilson’s guide to trapping success

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

Sam showing two children the importance of pest control in the bush.

Towards Predator-Free Taranaki’s three-pronged approach to tackling its predators

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

A group of trapper walking along a path

Funding injection boosts efforts of 13 predator free community groups across NZ

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

Helen attaching a device to a tree.

What inspires the inspiring? We asked 5 women making big strides in conservation

Longlife lures. Burrowing birds. Cute kākāpō cartoons. What do all these things have in common? Amazing wāhine who are forwarding the predator free goal in a myriad of different ways. This International Women’s Day, we took a look at five women kicking some serious conservation goals. Dr Helen Blackie: taking tech new places To reach … Continue reading What inspires the inspiring? We asked 5 women making big strides in conservation

Sarah with a kākāpō

IWD2022: kākāpō cartooning with Sarah Little

Self-confessed bird nerd Sarah Little spends most days caring for kākāpo. She’s a Department of Conservation ranger out on predator free island Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) protecting our rare kākāpō from extinction. Even in her spare time, Sarah is creating art with a message. Her popular cartoons are making the predator free movement fun and … Continue reading IWD2022: kākāpō cartooning with Sarah Little

Estelle holding a caught stoat.

IWD2022: teaching about our taonga with Estelle Pura Pera-Leask

Māori values, practices and stories are integral to the predator free kaupapa, and Māori knowledge and energy is crucial to its success. For International Women’s Day, we spoke to Estelle Pura Pera-Leask – a key figure bringing Māori voices and expertise to the movement. She represents Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu on the Southland Conservation … Continue reading IWD2022: teaching about our taonga with Estelle Pura Pera-Leask

Sara on a boulder in a forest.

IWD2022: protecting Mahakirau with Sara Smerdon

Every day, conservation volunteers like Sara Smerdon work towards getting their patch predator free. But unlike most, Sara lives in the very forest she protects. This International Women’s Day we chatted with Sara who (along with her husband) is one of 24 landowners of The Mahakirau Forest Estate in the Coromandel – a native forest … Continue reading IWD2022: protecting Mahakirau with Sara Smerdon

Codfish Island bush with blue sky.

Connecting with the cause: feeding kākāpō on Whenua Hou

What’s it like meeting Merv the kākāpō? Ask Jack Fifield – a 26-year-old Predator Free Apprentice passionate about his work in pest control. But, if you’d asked Jack 10 years ago where he’d be working today, he might’ve said marketing or economics. Instead, he’s feeding kākāpō in the pristine bush of Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) … Continue reading Connecting with the cause: feeding kākāpō on Whenua Hou

John teaching a predator control workshop

How do you make a habitat safe for kiwi? A Q&A with John Bissell

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

A group of flying birds.

The godwits have returned: A Q&A with Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre

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

A dotterel

Omaha community is looking out for its dotterels

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

A group of school children planting

Fostering the birds of Manukapua: Q&A with Tapora Land & Coast Care Group

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

Rod standing on a big boulder

Backyard Legends: Rod Morris, Nature Photographer & Conservationist

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

Photographing our lesser-known natives: A Q&A with Sam the animal man

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

Two men with traps at a stall

Predator Free Backyard Funding 2021 Announced

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

Ranger, illustrator and bird nerd: Sarah Little

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

Aaron and Raine team up to tackle predators at Shelly Beach

On the Coromandel Peninsula, individuals and organisations are coming together to tackle predators and protect the local wildlife and stunning surroundings. This is just one of their stories. Aaron McFarlane and his family are first-time holiday park owners. “My parents bought Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park about 3 years ago,” Aaron explains, “The beachside … Continue reading Aaron and Raine team up to tackle predators at Shelly Beach

A possum and rat interacting with bait station

Dave Edwards aims to make Sentinel possum traps more user friendly

Traps need a powerful spring mechanism to kill humanely and that can make them difficult and a bit daunting to set, especially traps designed for larger pests and predators like possums and ferrets. Dave Edwards is a retired engineer, long-time community trapper (for Bay of Plenty kiwi and kōkako groups) and an innovative investigator. After … Continue reading Dave Edwards aims to make Sentinel possum traps more user friendly

Students in the bush

Better together? A review of community conservation hubs in New Zealand

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 in the bush setting rat traps.

Tree-mounted rat trap boxes prove successful for Russell Peninsula group

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

tīeke on a branch

Tīeke – legendary teller of fortunes and guardian of treasure

Tīeke have a legendary reputation as guardians, weather-predictors, fortune-tellers and guides, although their saddle-like markings are said to be a sign that they once displeased Māui-pōtiki and were marked when he grabbed them with a hot hand and singed their feathers. Long ago, when tīeke (saddlebacks) were common, they often followed large flocks of whiteheads … Continue reading Tīeke – legendary teller of fortunes and guardian of treasure

Predator control — what you can and can’t do right now

Many of you may be wondering what you can and can’t do to protect our native wildlife throughout the lockdown period. So we thought we would summarise this for you. For up to date information on the COVID-19 response see the Government website. If you are involved in backyard or community trapping while NZ is … Continue reading Predator control — what you can and can’t do right now

Latest round of predator free communities announced

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

Elwyn Welch – a man, his bantams and a tale of takahē

Elwyn Welch was a Wairarapa farmer who loved birds. Most people have probably never heard of him, but back in the 1950s, he and his specially trained bantam hens had a vital role to play in the conservation and breeding of the recently rediscovered takahē. Elwyn and the bantams were recruited for a top-secret mission … Continue reading Elwyn Welch – a man, his bantams and a tale of takahē

A group of people stand amongst the dunes with tools.

Breeding season underway for yellow-eyed penguins – 2019 Bird of the Year

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

Bushy Point volunteers hold Triple Celebration

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

Photo of Hannah drawing a bird by hand

Wildlife artist, Hannah Shand, captures the personality of native birds

When Hannah Shand studied fashion at University, she would choose to do art-based projects and always enjoyed doing things by hand rather than on computer. As a graduate, she moved to Auckland for a job in a fashion workroom, and found the workroom job wasn’t as creative as studying at Uni. “I wanted to do … Continue reading Wildlife artist, Hannah Shand, captures the personality of native birds

A boat coming into shore for the release of tīeke

Biosecurity essential to success of Project Island Song

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

Stealthy stoat eludes Hastings Golf Club trappers

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

A group of people planting in a wetland

Otuwhero Wetland Trust cites ‘sporting benefits’ of volunteer work

“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

tīeke on a branch

Community-led conservation dates back to 1960s at Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi

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

An old photo of two people carry traps

NZ Conservation Trust raise kiwi and trap stoats

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

Image a track and native bush

Ruakuri’s unique karst landscape benefits from zero rat density

The Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, which includes New Zealand’s internationally renowned Ruakuri Cave, is an epic example of cave and karst landscape and sanctuary to New Zealand’s endemic and vulnerable fauna and flora, including long-tailed bats and bush falcons. It’s limestone country with caves and stalactites, limestone outcrops, tomo holes and disappearing streams. In recent years, … Continue reading Ruakuri’s unique karst landscape benefits from zero rat density

A group of volunteers

Protection and accessibility are key goals for Wharariki Onetahua Restoration

The first time that 80 double-trap DOC 200s were set out at the Wharariki Onetahua Restoration site they caught 29 rats and 25 stoats! Some traps caught two predators! Catching 25 stoats off 80 traps is an awesome total – but think about what that says about the sheer army of predators that wildlife at … Continue reading Protection and accessibility are key goals for Wharariki Onetahua Restoration

PF resources in a post shop

Post Shop and workshops help new Wanaka group recruit backyard trappers

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

Latest bird survey confirms Hollyford Conservation Trust success

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

A walkway surrounded by bush

Otago groups join forces for Predator Free Dunedin

It’s the new group on the block. Predator Free Dunedin launched just a few weeks ago in early October. But while the umbrella organisation is newly formed, it’s made up of 20 well-established Dunedin volunteer groups and larger organisations representing a wealth of Otago conservation experience. “Predator Free Dunedin includes big institutions like the University … Continue reading Otago groups join forces for Predator Free Dunedin

Two trappers in the forest

Towards a Predator Free Taranaki

A large-scale predator project, the biggest of its kind in New Zealand, was launched in Taranaki today supported by more than $11 million from the Government. Taranaki aims to be the first predator free region in the country under the project, called Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Our Place, Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki and is led … Continue reading Towards a Predator Free Taranaki

Small Ōhiwa community are big supporters of predator control

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