Northlanders have removed 1,108,835 animal pests over the last 13 years.
Each year, Kiwi Coast collates the pest control data from its network of landowners, farmers, community groups, hapū-led projects, organisations and schools across the region to highlight the significant work being undertaken to clear out pests and help Northland’s native wildlife thrive.
The 13-year tally includes 502,313 possums, 431,239 rodents and 17,532 stoats.
In 2025 alone, 142,096 pests were removed, giving an average trap catch of 2,732 pests per week. As this is predominantly trap catch data, the true numbers of pests removed is understood to be far higher as many more pests will have been removed with toxins.
There are now 279 entities linked into the Kiwi Coast network, spanning 301,000 hectares or approximately 24% of Northland. These entities are generally locally based conservation projects led by communities and hapū, each looking after their area.
Kiwi Coast CEO, Ngaire Sullivan said “It’s a privilege to collate the data for all the groups and projects linked into the Kiwi Coast network. 1 million+ pests removed is a phenomenal achievement and our forests, wetlands and coastal areas are so much healthier as a result. Native forests are bursting with birdsong again in many areas where projects have sustained their efforts over decades.”
Each year the Kiwi Coast Trust holds a dedicated Pest Control Workshop to bring all the groups together with researchers, scientists, product suppliers and Northland projects keen to share their skills, innovations and results.
Ngaire said “Our goal is to help all the groups and projects involved to carry out pest control successfully so they can achieve the conservation goals they are working so hard for. With effective trapping backed up with pulses of secondary toxin and dedicated dog control, Northland’s native wildlife can really flourish.”
The 2026 workshop was held at the Kerikeri Sports Complex on May 26th and attended by 153 people.
“The workshop is a chance for people from across the region to come together, share their skills and stories, and see the massive impact we’re all having when we work together,” said Andy Mentor, Kiwi Coast’s Mid North Coordinator.
Andy’s presentation at the workshop showed how possums are now functionally extinct on the Purerua – Mataroa peninsula in the Bay of Islands thanks to the pest free project being led by Kiwi Coast in partnership with Ngāti Torehina with support from NRC Predator Free 2050.
“Our surveillance network of AI traps, trail cams and YARN mesh FTP Solutions network has proven that possums have been reduced down to zero on the peninsula”, said Andy. “Possums seeking to reinvade the area find it a very lonely place, and they don’t last long!”
The free workshop was made possible by funding from Foundation North and Northland Regional Council, along with sponsorship from NZ Autotraps, Key Industries, Dead Rat Ltd, Envirotools and dodoland.
The removal of pests from Northland is boosting native biodiversity and making it safe for native wildlife again.
Ethan Benney’s presentation at the workshop shared how his family-based Glenbervie Pest Control Group had been delighted to discover the rare native parrot, kākāriki, on their property. In their intensive pest control zone, kākāriki have now had successful nests for the past two years.
Ethan said an initial single female kākāriki, nicknamed Hope, returned the following year with a mate. They successfully nested, producing seven chicks before departing. In 2025, they returned as a flock of seven, and two pairs nested successfully. With kākāriki being rare on the New Zealand mainland, it is a great conservation result.
Another presenter, Fleur Corbett, from Bay Bush Action, shared how their intensive pest control project in the Opua Scenic Reserve had reduced pests down to such low levels that they had started to discover rare native wildlife long thought to be lost to the area including gecko and long-tailed bats.
Bay Bush Action have now instigated a monitoring project to find out how widespread the bats are becoming through the forest. Their new Pekapeka-tou-roa Monitoring Project will use acoustic monitors to detect ultrasonic bat calls and track their presence.
As well as presentations, the workshop featured a range of stalls that shared info on local pest control projects, product info and advice from companies such as Key Industries and Dead Rat Ltd, and innovative tips and tricks from professional pest control contractors on how to control specific pests.
Steve Allan from SA2 & SA3 Traps Ltd, showcased his new SA5 possum trap that has already removed hundreds of possums during trials on Northland farms. Steve explained that he had developed the new trap based on feedback on his very successful SA2 trap. The SA5 has been designed to specifically counter the issue of feral pigs removing traps as they help themselves to caught possums, helping projects to sustain their pest control and keep trapping effectively.
As well as annual Regional Pest Control Workshops, Kiwi Coast also runs practical local trapping workshops to help groups and projects build their skills and learn how to use a range of pest control tools effectively. To request a local workshop or find out how to get involved in Kiwi Coast visit www.kiwicoast.org.nz or contact support@kiwicoast.org.nz
