National predator control operations
Introduction
We are planning to control introduced predators across more than 750,000 hectares of public conservation land in 2024.Our National Predator Control Programme protects native wildlife and forests at important conservation sites across New Zealand.
Currently, we control predators on a sustained, rotational basis over about 1.8 million ha which is nearly 20% of public conservation land.
It’s critical that rats, stoats, and possums are regularly controlled so that populations of threatened native species can survive and grow.
This is particularly important when beech forests produce more seeds than usual, known as a mast event, and predator populations rapidly increase.
A beech mast occurred in most South Island forests in 2023. This has triggered predator control operations in many high-priority areas in 2024.
In the North Island, there is a backlog of operations to complete in 2024, due to persistent bad weather over much of 2023.
Aerially applied 1080 is the best method available to control introduced predators and protect native species over large areas and rough terrain. Ground control tools, including traps and toxins in bait stations, are also used.
Protecting critical wildlife areas
We prioritise areas for predator control using the following criteria:
- the beech mast forecast and resulting increases in predator populations
- conservation planning with iwi, hapū and key community stakeholders
- risks to key ecosystems and populations of the most vulnerable species
- the history and results of previous predator control operations in the area.
The timing of operations is also determined by predator monitoring results and the weather.
The areas prioritised for 2024 are in the search tool below.
You can also view all operations since 2016.
Check if tracks are safe for dogs
Following a predator control operation, it is not safe to hunt animals for food and walking tracks and forest areas are closed for dogs. These restrictions are in place for up to eight months.
For more information, see:
View a map
For more detailed information and operational boundaries:
Search for an operation
Search for information about this year’s operations using the filters or view the complete list of operations below. Descriptions of the operation status:
- Planned: DOC intends to carry out predator control in this location this year. Planning processes are underway, which include consultation, pest monitoring, obtaining DOC and Public Health Unit permissions
- Underway: for ground control operations this means traps and/or bait stations have been installed and are being actively managed
- Complete: the predator control operation has been carried out. Pesticides may still be present in the area – follow local warning signs and track alerts.
Northland
Puketi-Omahuta, Bay of Islands, Northland
Areas included or near by: Ōmahuta- Puketī Forest Conservation Park
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 4,000
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kūkupa, kauri snail, pekapeka/short and long tailed bats, toutouwai/North Island robin, forest and Northland green gecko
Waipoua, Kauri Coast, Northland
Areas included or near by: Waipoua Forest
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 1,790
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kōkako
Warawara, Kaitaia, Northland
Areas included or near by: Warawara Forest Conservation Area
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 7,082
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kūkupa, kauri snail, pekapeka/long tailed bats, tītīpounamu/rifleman
Waikato
Hauhungaroa, King Country, Waikato
Areas included or near by: Hauhungaroa Range, Pureora South, Waituhi Forest, Waipapa
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 80,477
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Kākā, kōkakō, pekapeka/long tailed bats, kākāriki
Mapara Ground, King Country, Waikato
Areas included or near by: Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 1,429
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kōkako, toutouwai/North Island robin, pekapeka/long tailed bats
Taranaki
Taranaki Mounga Kaitiaki, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Egmont National Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 2,774
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Whio, South Island robin, fernbird, rifleman, powelliphanta
Taranaki Mounga, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Egmont National Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 32,519
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Whio, South Island robin, fernbird, rifleman, powelliphanta
Hutiwai Stream, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Hutiwai and Mohakatino forests
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 34,457
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kākā, kākāriki, pekapeka/short and long tailed bats
Waitaanga Plateau, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Waitaanga Forest
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 19,255
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Kiwi, toutouwai/North Island robin, whio, pekapeka/short and long tailed bats
Coromandel
Papakai, Whitianga, Coromandel
Areas included or near by: Papakai Ecological Area
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 11,335
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kākā, pekapeka/long tailed bats
Hauraki-Southern Forest , Hauraki, Coromandel
Areas included or near by: Coromandel Forest Park including Waiomu Ecological Area and Kauaeranga Valley
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 24,910
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi, pekapeka/long tailed bats, Archey's frog, Hochstetter’s frog
Bay of Plenty
Raukūmara Pae Maunga 2C, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: The Raukūmara Conservation Park, Raukūmara Ranges, and surrounding areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 28,102
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākā, kiwi, whio, pekapeka/bats, Hochstetter’s frog
Raukūmara Pae Maunga 3, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: The Raukūmara Conservation Park, Raukūmara Ranges, and surrounding areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 26,570
Date: Autmun 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākā, kiwi, whio, pekapeka/bats, Hochstetter’s frog
Whirinaki, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane Conservation Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 40,854
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Whio, pekapeka/short and long tailed bats, kākā, kākāriki
Mokaihaha, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: Southern Mamaku Plateau
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 2,234
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kōkakō, kākā, pekapeka/long tailed bats, kākāriki
Central North Island
Whanganui-Mangapurua, Whanganui, Central North Island
Areas included or near by: Central and southern Whanganui National Park, Waitotara Conservation Area and part of Whangamomona Conservation Area
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 39,817
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Whio, kākā, kiwi, kākāriki
Tongariro , Tongariro, Central North Island
Areas included or near by:
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 7,819
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi
Lower North Island
Northern Ruahine, Manawatu, Lower North Island
Areas included or near by: Ruahine Forest Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 37,017
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Eastern North Island brown kiwi, whio, kākā, kākāriki, powelliphanta, pekapeka/long tailed bats
Pukaha Mt Bruce, Wairarapa, Lower North Island
Areas included or near by: Pukaha Mt Bruce
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 864
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kōkakō, kākā, kākāriki, titipounamu/rifleman, whio
Northern South Island
Kahurangi - Cobb, Golden Bay, Northern South Island
Areas included or near by: Cobb Valley, Anatoki Ranges, Wharepapa/Arthur Range
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 76,102
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Pekapeka/long tailed bats, tuke/rock wren, kea, powelliphanta, great spotted kiwi, whio, kākā
Kahurangi - Parapara, Golden Bay, Northern South Island
Areas included or near by: Anatoki River, central Aorere River, Parapara Ridge and Anatoki Ranges
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 35,888
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Pekapeka/long tailed bats, kea, powelliphanta, great spotted kiwi, whio, kākā
Kahurangi - Gouland, Golden Bay, Northern South Island
Areas included or near by: Kahurangi National Park and North-West Nelson Forest Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 41,747
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, whio, kea, kākā, pekapeka/long tailed bats, takahē, rock wren
West Coast
Kahurangi - Kakapo, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Kākāpo River, Herbert Range
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 32,471
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Tuke/rock wren, whio, powelliphanta, great spotted kiwi, kea, kākā
Kahurangi - Heaphy Lowlands, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Low altitude, species rich coastal forest lying between the Tasman Mountains and the sea.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 26,405
Date: Spring 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Northern rātā, pekapeka/long tailed bats, rorora/great spotted kiwi, powelliphanta, whio, pīwauwau/rock wren
Punakaiki, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Western Paparoa Ranges
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 43,330
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, whio
Landsborough, South Westland, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Landsborough Valley, borderd by Haast River, Bealey Range, Southern Alps, Hooker Range
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 33,695
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Mohua, kea, rock wren, whio, pekapeka/long tailed bats, kākā, kākāriki
Te Maruia, Greymouth, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Springs Junction – Maruia valley taking in the Lewis Pass tops to Lake Christabel, and the Turpentine. It then crosses the Upper Grey River to capture the May Creek and Brown Grey River catchments. The application area then heads north to the east of State Highway 65 to Station Creek where it heads east to the main range above Station Creek then south along the main ridge to the Lewis Tops.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 38,000
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Planned
Species protected include:
Pekapeka/long tailed bats, whio, kea, kākā, kākāriki, mistletoe
Roaring Meg, Greymouth, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Eastern Paparoa Range including Roaring Meg and Pike river catchments
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 11,685
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, whio, powelliphanta
Haast kiwi, South Westland, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Haast kiwi sanctuary
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 11,158
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Haast tokoeka/kiwi, pekapeka/bats, kākā
Canterbury
Arthur's Pass East, Rangiora, Canterbury
Areas included or near by: Arthur’s Pass National Park and Lake Sumner Forest
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 16,187
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, kiwi
Fiordland
Murchison Mountains, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Fiordland National Park, bounded by Lake Te Anau
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 27,013
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Takahē, mohua, whio, kea, kākā
Fiordland
Eglinton, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Fiordland National Park, between Te Anau to the Divide
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 43,551
Date: Winter 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kea, rock wren/tuke, long-tailed bats, mohua
Waitutu, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Waitutu Forest from south coast to Princess Mountains alpine area, and from Te Waewae Bay to Lake Hakapoua
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 32,295
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Mistletoe, kākā
Clinton-Arthur- Cleddau, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Clinton, Arthur, Sinbad and Cleddau river catchments
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 40,749
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Whio, kea, rock wren, pekapeka/long tailed bats, kākā, kiwi, mohua
Seaforth-Grebe, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Fiordland National Park, Seaforth River valley, Merrie and Turret Ranges
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 58,183
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, rock wren, mohua, pekapeka/long tailed bats
Otago
Makarora , Central Otago, Otago
Areas included or near by: Mt Aspiring National Park from Haast Pass to the head of Lake Wanaka
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 36,395
Date: Autumn 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Mohua, whio, kākā, kea, rock wren
Dart-Caples, Wakatipu, Otago
Areas included or near by: Mt. Aspiring national park, Caples, Routeburn and Dart Valleys. From Glenorchy to the Cascade saddle Wilkin.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 43,326
Date: Summer 2024
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kea, mohua, rockwren/tuke, whio, long-tailed bats