Date:  08 September 2020

Trapping programme coordinator Jonathan Findon says the Horopito Residents and Ratepayers Society is delighted to be a recipient of the DOC Community Fund.

"With this funding we are able to build substantially on our recently established trapping network, providing comprehensive animal pest management coverage of the beautiful natural resource that we are nestled beside," Jonathan says.

Horopito is a small community located on the southwestern flanks of Mt. Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park. The area is home to whio/blue duck and kiwi.

It is the first block of private land at the headwaters of the Whangaehu catchment, making it an important location for expanding predator control in the region. 

"We have specific measurable goals of increasing Kiwi numbers, protecting whio habitat, and generally doing good by controlling rat, mustelid and other pest numbers," Jonathan says.

"We are looking forward to strengthening our ties and working collaboratively with the Department of Conservation. This funding has helped pull the Horopito community closer together on common environmental goals".

Tongariro Senior Ranger Biodiversity Ali Beath says it's great to see this motivated group of people with a real passion for conservation achieve this funding boost.

"To achieve a Predator Free New Zealand, we need help from all New Zealanders, so the work by the Horopito community is an important step towards this goal in our rohe (area)."

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