Eight new community-led pest control projects are up and running in the Mid North with the help of Kiwi Coast and Northland Regional Council.
Andrew Mentor (Mid North Kiwi Coast Coordinator) and Mike Knight (NRC Biosecurity Officer for the Far North) worked together with the eight communities to help them plan pest control projects for their local areas and then successfully apply for NRC Environment Fund to supply the trapping hardware.
The new groups are located in rural Okaihau, Utakura Valley, Waipapa, Cottle Hill, Bulls Gorge, Tapuatahi, Takou and near Lake Omapere. Collectively this adds another 1200 hectares of pest control area. Each of the community-led project is targeting a suite of animal pests including possums, mustelids and rats in order to restore forest health and help native birds such as kiwi thrive.
Andrew Mentor says “This will help fill in gaps in the ever-expanding Mid North predator trapping network with the ultimate vision to have a continuous corridor between the Bay of Islands and Puketi Forest so wildlife like kokako and kiwi can move freely along vegetated streams, gullies and remnant forest areas”.
“It is great to see so many people wanting to care for their land and environment. We look forward to new applications for traps for next year. Talk to Kiwi Coast or NRC for advice on what could be done in your area.”
Andrew can be contacted via email at andrew@kiwicoast.org.nz or contact Mike Knight at mikek@nrc.govt.nz.
