This movement isn’t new. It builds on the legacy of hardworking people who protected native plants and animals long before Predator Free 2050 began.

Together, our work focuses on:

• developing new tools and investing in science research
• protecting native species by controlling predators across millions of hectares
• supporting and empowering people and communities
• creating a clear, evidence-based plan to achieve eradication in the future.
  

We’re united by our common cause. We believe people and nature flourish together.

Each of us bring our own unique strengths to the movement. By working together, we create a stronger, more visible and sustainable impact. 

More than 30 organisations are part of this movement, including those listed here. 

Steering group

The steering group gives strategic direction, support and advice to DOC, the agency leading Predator Free 2050.

The group brings together key partners working toward the goal. Members include representatives from:

• Department of Conservation
• Chair of Te Rōpū mō te Tiriti me Te Ao Māori
• Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP)
• Predator Free New Zealand Trust
• Ministry for Primary Industries
• Regional councils
• Predator Free landscape scale projects.

The members encourage collaboration, align funding and priorities, and provide leadership. They help to guide our predator elimination efforts.

They are supported by independent expert advice from the Predator Free 2050 working groups.

Working groups

Working groups provide independent, specialist advice to the steering group. They help set priorities and actions through to 2030. They also guide long-term planning for 2050.

There are four working groups:

• Te Rōpū Auaha – enabling innovation for Predator Free 2050
• Te Rōpū Piki Ake – mobilising the movement
• Te Rōpū mō te Tiriti me Te Ao Māori
• Te Rōpū Mahi Nui – prepare to accelerate for Predator Free 2050.

Their combined expertise allows them to provide system-wide advice. The advice supports progress toward Predator Free 2050.

Hapū and iwi

Māori have a whakapapa relationship with New Zealand’s native plants and animals. As kaitiaki, they protect our native taonga for future generations.

Tangata whenua play a key role in achieving a predator-free New Zealand. 

Communities

Communities are essential to achieving a predator-free New Zealand. To be successful we need support from communities across the country.  

Department of Conservation (DOC)

DOC leads the Predator Free 2050 programme. It connects partners across the country.

DOC sets the strategic direction and coordinates government funding for the programme. It also carries out key work such as predator control, research, training and building partnerships.   

Predator Free NZ Trust

Predator Free NZ Trust is an independent charity that aims to inspire and connect people. It supports communities and makes predator control simple and accessible for everyone.  

Zero Invasive Predators Ltd

Zero Invasive Predators Ltd (ZIP) is a company that develops practical and innovative tools to remove predators from large areas. They focus on stoats, rats and possums. ZIP also works to prevent these predators from returning. 

Local and regional government

Local and regional councils help to deliver Predator Free 2050 programmes in communities.

Regional councils lead pest control on land outside DOC-managed areas. They manage public parks and reserves, and run large predator control programmes. They work with landowners, community groups and iwi/Māori to plan and carry out predator control.    

Other government agencies

Other government agencies work together to achieve a predator-free New Zealand.  

• Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research specialises in land-based research. This includes native forests and the predators that live within them.   
• Ministry for the Environment (MfE) is responsible for overseeing the resource management system (including the Resource Management Act 1991). MfE makes decisions that protect and improve our natural resources. They oversee the pest control regulations under the Resource Management Act.  
• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) promotes alignment of pest management within New Zealand's whole biosecurity system. They also manage animal welfare policy and provide regulatory control of toxins. 
• Te Puni Kōkiri is the principal policy advisor for Māori wellbeing and development.
• Environmental Protection Agency regulates hazardous substances and new organisms. This includes new predator control technologies and methods.  
• Toitū Te Whenua – Land Information New Zealand is the lead for property and location information. They provide mapping expertise for predator control.
• Stats NZ is New Zealand’s official data agency. They support Predator Free 2050 data management.   

Māori organisations

Māori organisations provide leadership and expertise. They support whānau, hapū and iwi in expressing kaitiakitanga in the Predator Free 2050 kaupapa.    

• Ngā Whenua Rāhui is a funding programme to protect the natural integrity of Māori land and preserve mātauranga Māori.   
• Te Tira Whakamātaki is a not-for-profit that works to reverse the decline of our biodiversity. It aims to restore balance to our natural world and re-establish a reciprocal relationship with Papatūānuku (Mother Earth). It draws from our ancestor’s knowledge of the environment, indigenous philosophies and science.  

Other companies

Companies drive innovation and lead predator control.  

• OSPRI runs the national programme to eradicate Bovine tuberculosis from New Zealand by 2055. The largest vector of Bovine tuberculosis is possums. OSPRI operates a control programme across the country to keep possum numbers low enough to eradicate tuberculosis from cattle.  
• Lincoln Agritech is an independent research and development company owned by Lincoln University. It delivers leading science and engineering in the environmental sector.  

Other NGOs and trusts

NGOs and trusts mobilise communities and funding across Aotearoa.   

• NEXT Foundation is a strategic philanthropy fund. It has a $100 million to spend over 10 years on education and the environment. 
• Save the Kiwi is a charitable organisation. It works to reverse the decline of the national kiwi population. 
• Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s leading independent conservation organisation. It protects wildlife and wild places, on land and in the sea.  
• New Zealand Deerstalkers Association is a recreational hunting organisation. It educates hunters and provides support and advocacy for our natural wild places. It has a nationwide network of 49 clubs that lead trapping and pest control operations.

Universities

Universities provide expertise in social research, science and engineering.   

• University of Canterbury is a public research university based in Christchurch.   
• Lincoln University is a globally ranked university in Canterbury.  

Associations and trade organisations

Associations and trade organisations share insights from their sectors. They have specialist knowledge.   

• New Zealand Fur Council represents the interests of over 90% of the members of the fur industry. This group is made of possum fur harvesters, fibre collection agencies, yarn spinners and knitters. With large numbers of very experienced trappers on the ground, they can train future predator control workers. They also help with the use of innovative possum eradication tools and techniques.  
• Forest Owners Association represents the owners of New Zealand's commercial plantation forests. Plantation forestry is science-based and innovative. Land owners and managers are interested in leading pest eradication on forest land.

Sanctuaries

Sanctuaries bring birdlife back into surrounding towns and cities.

Zealandia is the world’s first fenced urban eco-sanctuary. It has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area. Six of these species were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.