Hawke’s Bay leading the way in predator control

Hawke's Bay predator control projects Poutiri Ao ō Tāne and Cape to City have stepped onto the national stage for the first time at this year's Fieldays.

Leading the way in well researched, low cost pest control methods for both private land and public conservation land - these projects are showing farmers from across New Zealand that it is not hard to supress predators. Predator control does not need to be hard, and has biodiversity and economic benefits.

Poutiri Ao ō Tāne and Cape to City have been working for the past seven years across 34,000 hectares of Hawke's Bay.

The success of these projects is in the collaboration between hapū, landowners and public and private organisations. Working this way each project has made significant environmental, cultural and social gains for the local community.

“Highlighting these projects on a national stage to farmers/landowners is promoting Hawke’s Bay, through showcasing innovative projects developed and led here.

“It is also providing a template for landowners and agencies with an example of how working together you can get multiple benefits,” says Project Leader Wendy Rakete-Stones.

The projects are being displayed in the Department of Conservation Predator Free 2050 pavilion. Staff are on hand to encourage farmers who are already actively involved in pest control and habitat restoration on their own farms to work collaboratively with their neighbours, so the benefits of such predator control can be shared.

“The team at Fieldays will also provide information about predator control including predator behaviour, pest control tools and options and how to obtain them and the contact details for support in their area,” says Wendy Rakete-Stones.

One such tool on display is the podiTRAP.

This mustelid trap been designed by as Pouri Rakete-Stones for the local Poutiri Ao ō Tāne and Cape to City predator control projects, as a low-cost, easy to use trapping option for land owners.

“While the cost of this trap is comparable to other traps on the market, the plastic casing and stainless-steel materials mean that is has a longer lifespan than other traps.

“It is also stronger than existing mustelid traps on the mark, easy to set and the handle also acts as a flag to show that the traps have been set off.

"Not only are methods such as these good for the environment, but also good for the hip pocket - so it is win, win," Wendy Rakete-Stones.

9 September 2019

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