Results are in and rats are out!

After nearly two years of careful planning, installing pest control infrastructure (traps and bait stations) and honing their skills, Te Maire are effectively controlling pest animals in their 500-hectare Stage 1 project area near Aongatete. In the last quarter alone, the field team of four kaimahi removed at least 2,280 predators including rats, possums, feral cats, stoats and weasels.

To support their trapping efforts and increase these already high numbers, Te Maire has recently completed a toxin operation. This included a round of Cyanide followed by a round of Double Tap. This was a success! Recent monitoring shows rat density decreased to 2%. Melody Hirini, Project Manager at Te Maire, Ngāi Tamawhariua, said this project aligns with their iwi whakataukī.

"Tiaki i to tatou taiao, a, mana taiao e tiaki. Take care of our environment, and it will take care of us".

The project tīma is currently in the progress of extending their project area by another 500 hectares which is set to be completed by the end of June 2024.

Full results:
Rat density declined from 42% to 2%
Possum density declined from 28% to 11.5%

Note: The general density target is 5%.