Te Miro Pest Control

A community-led project which aims to further reduce rat and possum populations to protect and enhance native birds, bats, and improve forest health in the Waterworks Road Reserve.

Our location

Waterworks Road Reserve, Te Miro, Kiwitahi, New Zealand. Total Area: 160 hectares

Kaupapa | Our Purpose

Further reduce rat and possum populations to protect and enhance native birds, bats, and improve forest health.

How We Did It

Engagement with and support from Matamata Piako District Council, Waikato Regional Council, and Department of Conservation
Set-up and ongoing co-ordination of volunteers
Purchase of bait stations and the initiation of toxin-based pest control
Regular checking of traps/bait stations
Monitoring of rat tracking tunnels and integration of data into TrapNZ

Outcomes

Zero rats were recorded in 40 tracking tunnels for 3 quarterly visits in a row. “This is an exceptional result” says Jude Tisdall who organises the pest control operation project with a dedicated team of volunteers. “We are seeing a rebound in insect and invertebrate numbers which is a great indication of success. We have had anecdotal evidence of Kereru breeding and fledging as well.”