Predator control operations 2023
Introduction
We are planning to control introduced predators across more than 600,000 ha of public conservation land in 2023.Our National Predator Control Programme protects native wildlife and forests at important conservation sites across New Zealand.
Controlling possums, rats and stoats is critical so that threatened native species can survive and their populations can grow. This is particularly important in mast events when forests produce more seeds than usual and predator populations can rapidly increase.
A moderate beech mast is forecast for parts of the country in 2023. Likely affected areas are Kahurangi, Arthur's Pass, Fiordland and Ruapehu.
Aerially applied 1080 is the best method available to target introduced predators and protect native species over large areas and rough terrain. Ground control tools, including traps and toxins in bait stations, are also used reduce the threat of introduced predators throughout the country.
Protecting critical wildlife areas
We prioritise areas for predator control using the following criteria:
- the forecast and resulting forest mast
- conservation planning with iwi, hapū and key community stakeholders
- risks to key ecosystems and populations of the most vulnerable species
- the history and results of previous predator control operations in the area.
The timing of operations is also determined by predator monitoring results and the weather.
The areas prioritised for 2023 are in the search tool below. You can also view operations from previous years.
Check if tracks are safe for dogs
Following a predator control operation, it is not safe to hunt animals for food and walking tracks and forest areas are closed for dogs. These restrictions are in place for up to eight months.
For more information, see alerts and important notices.
View a map
For more detailed information and operational boundaries:
Search for an operation
Search for information about this year’s operations using the filters or view the complete list of operations below. Descriptions of the operation status:
- Planned: DOC intends to carry out predator control in this location this year. Planning processes are underway, which include consultation, pest monitoring, obtaining DOC and Public Health Unit permissions
- Underway: for ground control operations this means traps and/or bait stations have been installed and are being actively managed
- Complete: the predator control operation has been carried out. Pesticides may still be present in the area – follow local warning signs and track alerts.
Northland
Omahuta, Bay of Islands, Northland
Areas included or near by: Ōmahuta- Puketī Forest Conservation Park
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 4,979
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kūkupa, kauri snail, pekapeka/short and long tailed bats, toutouwai/North Island robin, forest and Northland green gecko
Waipoua, Kauri Coast, Northland
Areas included or near by: Waipoua Forest
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 1,790
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kiwi, kōkako
Waikato
Whareorino & Moeatoa, King Country, Waikato
Areas included or near by: Whareorino Conservation Area and Herangi range
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 29,166
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Pekapeka/long tailed bats, Archey’s frog, dactylanthus taylorii
Hauturu-Awaroa, King Country, Waikato
Areas included or near by: Hauturu-Awaroa forest areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 9,640
Date: Autumn 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kārearea, rock hebe (Veronica scopulorum)
Paraninihi, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Whitecliffs Conservation Covenant, Whitecliffs Conservation Area and Mt Davidson Scenic Reserve
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 1,702
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin, kōkako
Pouiatoa, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Areas included or near by: Pouiatoa and Taramoukou Conservation Areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 6,113
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin, whitehead, riflemen
Coromandel
Whenuakite, Hauraki, Coromandel
Areas included or near by: Tapuaetahi Scenic Reserve and Coromandel Forest Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 1,281
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Coromandel brown kiwi, kererū
Gisborne/Bay of Plenty
Raukūmara Pae Maunga block 1, East Cape , Gisborne/Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: The Raukūmara Conservation Park, Raukūmara Ranges, and surrounding areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 40,712
Date: Autumn 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākā, kiwi, whio, pekapeka/bats and the Hochstetter’s frog
Raukūmara Pae Maunga block 2a, East Cape , Gisborne/Bay of Plenty
Areas included or near by: The Raukūmara Conservation Park, Raukūmara Ranges, and surrounding areas
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 20,274
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākā, kiwi, whio, pekapeka/bats and the Hochstetter’s frog
Central North Island
Southern Ruapehu - Rangataua, Tongariro, Central North Island
Areas included or near by: Portions of Rangataua Conservation Area, Rotokura Ecological Reserve and Tongariro National Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 13,358
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kiwi, pekapeka/bats, kākā, whio
Rotoehu, Rotorua, Central North Island
Areas included or near by: Rotoehu Forest including Pongokawa Ecological Area
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 2,756
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kōkako, bellbird, kereru, rifleman
Northern South Island
Isolated Hill, South Marlborough, Northern South Island
Areas included or near by: Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 3,460
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Lowland forest, shrub & grasslands
West Coast
Kahurangi - Heaphy Lowlands, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Low altitude, species rich coastal forest lying between the Tasman Mountains and the sea.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 26,596
Date: Summer 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Northern rātā, pekapeka/long tailed bats, rorora/great spotted kiwi, powelliphanta, whio, pīwauwau/rock wren
Kahurangi - Oparara, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Bio and geo-diverse landscape rising from sea level through the Oparara basin to Alpine ranges in the East.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 62,328
Date: Summer 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Northern rātā, pekapeka/long tailed bats, rorora/great spotted kiwi, powelliphanta, whio, pīwauwau/rock wren
Kahurangi - Mokihinui, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Seddonville, Mohikinui and Radiant Range
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 46,786
Date: Spring 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Rorora/great spotted kiwi, pekapeka/long tailed bats, powelliphanta, whio, kākā, kea
Kahurangi - New Creek, Buller, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Alpine tops, coastal hills, river valleys, pakihi wetlands, the Orikaka lowland basin, and the sandstone pavements on the Denniston and Stockton plateaux.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 58,358
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Northern rātā, rorora/great spotted kiwi, powelliphanta, whio, kākā, kea
Arawhata, South Westland, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Arawhata and Waipara Valleys and the Haast Tokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 49,177
Date: Autumn 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Haast tokoeka, forest birds, korukoru/ mistletoe
Haast kiwi, South Westland, West Coast
Areas included or near by: Haast kiwi sanctuary
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 7,570
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Haast tokoeka/kiwi, pekapeka/bats, kākā
Canterbury
Arthur's Pass ground control, Rangiora, Canterbury
Areas included or near by: Arthur’s Pass National Park and Lake Sumner Forest
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 5,671
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, kiwi
Fiordland
Murchison Mountains, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Fiordland National Park, bounded by Lake Te Anau
Aerial or ground-based: Ground
Estimated hectares: 52,985
Date:
Status: Ongoing
Species protected include:
Takahē, mohua, whio, kea, kākā, kārearea/New Zealand falcon
Eglinton, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Fiordland National Park, Between Te Anau to the Divide.
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 44,357
Date: Summer 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kea, rockwren/tuke, long-tailed bats, mohua
Wet Jacket Peninsula, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Mainland peninsulas in Dusky Sounds (the Wet Jacket Peninsulas) and small islands
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 39,429
Date: Autmun 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Fiordland tokoeka, kea, kākā, rock wren/tuke
Hollyford, Te Anau, Fiordland
Areas included or near by: Hollyford Valley
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 26,054
Date: Spring 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Kākā, kea, tuke/rock wren, whio, pekapeka/long-tailed bats, mistletoe
Southland
Beresford, Murihiku, Southland
Areas included or near by: Catlins Conservation Park
Aerial or ground-based: Aerial
Estimated hectares: 14,191
Date: Winter 2023
Status: Completed
Species protected include:
Mohua, pekapeka/long-tailed bats, mistletoe