Boost for predator control to protect endangered wildlife

Threatened native wildlife will get a reprieve from predators with a $14.1 million boost to predator control funding, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

The investment from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will support the Department of Conservation to scale up its predator control work to protect native species facing increased threat from a major South Island beech mast. 

This year beech forests throughout the South Island have dropped trillions of seeds, fuelling rat and stoat breeding, which will put vulnerable native birds, bats and other wildlife at high risk over the coming year. 

“We’re funding more predator control to protect our precious wildlife in national parks and other priority sites across the South Island,” says Mr Potaka. 

“The additional funds will be targeted to Kahurangi, Arthur’s Pass, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, which are some of our most popular visitor sites.

“DOC will control predators over more than 360,000 ha at these sites and in the Maruia, Arawhata and Landsborough valleys on the West Coast. 

“This work will help safeguard species such as mohua/yellowhead, kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, piwauwau/rock wren, pekapeka/bats, whio, kea and kiwi.

“Aotearoa New Zealand is the only place in the world you find these unique species. They are a drawcard for international tourists and Kiwis alike, who visit these places to get out in nature. 

“We have seen the recovery of native birds like mohua, rock wren and kiwi in areas where rats, possums and stoats are effectively suppressed.

“With sustained predator control we can hold the line for our biodiversity as we work towards achieving New Zealand’s predator free goal.” 

The IVL funding enables DOC to scale up to deliver its largest predator control programme ever across one million hectares or 12 per cent of public conservation land in 2026/27. 

Note to editors:

With the IVL funding of $14.1 million DOC will deliver predator control using aerially applied biodegradable 1080 and trapping over 367,000 ha at the following sites:

Kahurangi National Park (45,000 ha)
Arthur’s Pass National Park (70,000 ha)
Mount Aspiring National Park (45,000 ha)
Fiordland National Park (45,000 ha) 
Maruia valley, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve (37,000 ha)
Arawhata valley, South Westland (75,000 ha)
Landsborough valley, South Westland (50,000 ha) ...