Vector Control Services

Aerial Control Operations

Punakaiki Aerial Operation

The Department of Conservation, as part of its National Predator Control Programme, completed control of rats, stoats and possums in the Punakaiki area. This control was in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 43,000 hectares encompassing the Fox River, Bullock Creek, Punakaiki River and the Upper reaches of Canoe Creek.

This area is a national priority site for protection of Great Spotted Kiwi and Westland Petrel. Other threatened species within the forests are in some trouble, including the Whio (Blue Duck), Kaka, and Powelliphanta (Giant Snails). This work will enhance populations of these threatened species by reducing rat, stoat and possum populations.

Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.

Punakaiki Aerial Operation Factsheet

Roaring Meg Aerial Operation

The Department of Conservation, as part of its National Predator Control Programme, is completed control of rats, stoats and possums in the Roaring Meg area. This control was in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 12,250 hectares encompassing the Pike Creek, Moonlight Creek, Roaring Meg River and the Upper reaches of Big River.

This area is a national priority site for protection of Great Spotted Kiwi. Other threatened species within the forests are in some trouble, including the Whio (Blue Duck), Kaka, and Powelliphanta (Giant Snails). This work will enhance populations of these threatened species by reducing rat, stoat and possum populations.

Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.

Roaring Meg Notification Factsheet

Hohonu/Te Kinga combined: Proposed timing: August- 2024.

Hohonu: Client OSPRI. 13,800ha.

Te Kinga: Client Predator Free Te Kinga. 3800ha

The Te Kinga Predator Free Project and OSPRI are collaborating on predator control operations in the region in 2024. Working together mutually supports separate goals; OSPRI is a disease management agency working towards bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication, and Te Kinga’s project looks to protect our native species.

These operations will be an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form that will help achieve this and support ground control operations in the more accessible areas.

Hohonu Range is located some 35km Southeast of Greymouth, and includes Mt French and Mt Smart. The operation lies between the Kumara Inchbonnie Road and Taramakau River. The aerial application was completed on 17 November 2024

Mt Te Kinga is located 10km south of Moana and is adjacent to Lake Brunner/Moana. The Poerua River boarders the area to the east. The aerial application was completed on 1 December 2024

Please treat these areas with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.

Factsheet

Heaphy Lowland Aerial Operation

The Department of Conservation, as part of its National Predator Control Programme, is proposing to undertake control of rats, stoats and possums in the Heaphy Lowland area. This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 27,809 hectares The proposed treatment area is located approximately 24 km north of the Karamea township. It centers on the catchment area of the Heaphy River and includes part of the Heaphy Track from Lewis Hut to Mid Point on the coast.

This area is a national priority site for protection of Great Spotted Kiwi. Other threatened species within the forests are in some trouble, including the Whio (Blue Duck), Kaka, and Powelliphanta (Giant Snails). This work will enhance populations of these threatened species by reducing rat, stoat and possum populations.

The planned start for this operation is February 2025.

Fact Sheet

The Buller South Ground Control 2024-25

The Buller South ground control operation started September 2024.

Work is expected to be completed by 30 May 2025.

Vector Control staff and its contractor, Westpest, are working this operation and will continue to visit affected property owners to discuss control options before undertaking any control work required.

Proposed control methods include cyanide in bait stations, 1080 hand-laid, leg-hold traps, kill traps or cage traps.

Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.

Buller South Overview

Karamea Detection Based Control 2024-25

The Karamea Detection Based control operation is planned to start February 2025

Work is expected to be completed by 30 April 2025.

Vector Control staff and its contractor, Westpest, are working this operation and will visit affected property owners to discuss control options before undertaking any control work required.

Proposed control methods is detection chewcards with follow-up trapping at any positive sites using leg-hold traps.(Kill traps or cage traps may also be used)

Please read and comply with any warning signs present.