There are 20 large, landscape-scale Predator Free projects across New Zealand. They stretch from the Bay of Islands in the north to Auckland Island in the subantarctic south.
These projects remove predators across more than 1,000,000 hectares. This is about 18 times the size of Lake Taupō. They cover a mix of backcountry, rural and urban land.
Local communities lead these projects. Iwi, hapū, community organisations and individuals work together to find solutions that suit their local areas.
The projects are living experiments. They allow us to test new tools, methods and technology that can drive us towards a predator-free New Zealand.
Map of projects across New Zealand
Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui (Bay of Islands)
Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui is a collective of hapū- and community-led projects spanning across three peninsulas in Pēwhairangi Whānui (Purerua-Mataroa, Russell and Rākaumangamanga).
It encompasses four diverse projects (Predator Free Purerua Mataroa, Predator Free Russell, Predator Free Rākaumangamanga and Predator Free Te Ahutai) working to remove possums, feral cats, rats and mustelids. The projects also provide more job and upskilling opportunities and support the return of mana whenua to their communities.
It is also one of four landscape projects piloting the Predator Free 2050 Kaitiakitanga project, with the aim to embed more te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori into the kaupapa.
Launched: 19 July 2021
Enabled by: Northland Regional Council
Led by: Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Torēhina, Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Russell Landcare Trust, Kiwi Coast
Partners: Department of Conservation and Foundation North
Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui website
Predator Free Whangārei
Predator Free Whangārei is a collaborative project between private landowners, Department of Conservation and local community groups, aiming to protect and restore over 9,000 hectares of native forest, coastal farmland and wetland in Whangārei Heads through possum elimination and enhanced mustelid suppression.
Building on decades of community conservation efforts, the project is on target to achieve possum elimination by mid-2027 and start the removal of additional species next. Working across a diverse landscape, the project has been trialling some of the latest in predator control technology and strategy, including possum detection dogs, self-resetting traps and cameras with AI ability to identify and transmit images.
Predator Free Whangārei is also one of four landscape projects piloting the Predator Free 2050 Kaitiakitanga project, with the aim to embed more te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori into the kaupapa.
Launched: 10 July 2020
Project lead: Northland Regional Council
Collaborators: Kiwi Coast, Department of Conservation, local community conservation groups and hapū trusts.
Predator Free Whangārei website
Pest Free Kawau (Kawau Island)
This project is a partnership between Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Auckland Council and DOC.
The project assists community conservation group efforts. It aims to eradicate wallabies and possums first, followed by rats and mustelids from Kawau Island.
Project lead: Auckland Council
Māori partners: Ngāti Manuhiri
Collaborators: The Pohutukawa Trust, Department of Conservation and others.
Predator Free Kawau Island website
Poipoia te Kākano (Kaipara)
This project is led by Environs Te Uri o Hau. It focuses on preserving the Kaipara Harbour’s ecological integrity.
The long-term plan is to remove possums, stoats, rats and pigs. The projects covers 105,000 hectares on five peninsulas in Kaipara Moana. The five peninsulas are Hukatere, Okahukura, Puketotara, Pouto (North Head) and Te Korowai o Tonga (South Head).
Launched: 2 August 2021
Project lead: Local iwi and hapū
Collaborators: The project was initiated by the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group (IKHMG) in partnership with Ngā Maunga Whakahii, Te Uri o Hau, Te Roroa, Landcare, community groups, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.
Te Korowai o Waiheke (Waiheke Island)
Te Korowai o Waiheke is a community-led charity. Its goal is to remove predators and make Waiheke the first predator-free urban island in the world.
Stoat removal has been taking place across the island. Trials are now testing whether rat removal across the whole island is feasible.
Launched: 16 September 2018
Project lead: Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust
Māori partners: Ngāti Paoa
Collaborators: Auckland Council, Foundation North, Department of Conservation, Hauraki Gulf Conservation Trust, Hauraki Gulf Islands Forest and Bird, QEII National Trust covenant landowners, Waiheke Rat Busters, Waiheke Resources Trust and the Waiheke Collective.
Tū Mai Taonga (Aotea/Great Barrier Island)
The Tū Mai Taonga project is building a local conservation workforce on the island. It tests new tools and methods to remove rats and feral cats from large areas of the island.
The island has a head start because it has no possums, mustelids or Norway rats. However, ship rats, kiore and feral cats are having a devastating impact on its unique fauna.
Launched: 1 June 2021
Project lead: Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust
Māori partners: Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea
Collaborators: Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee, Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, Aotea Great Barrier Island Local Board, Auckland Council, Department of Conservation, Glenfern and Kotuku Peninsula Trust, Kawa Marae, Motairehe Marae, Motu Kaikoura Trust, Okiwi Community Ecology Project, Windy Hill Sanctuary and Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust, landowners and residents around the motu.
Korehāhā Whakahau (Whakatāne)
This project, led by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, aims to remove possums from 4,700 hectares around Whākatane. It creates jobs and builds skills within the iwi.
The work takes place between Whakatāne River, Ōhope beach and Ōhiwa harbour. It includes private, public and Ngāti Awa land.
Launched: 27 June 2020
Project lead: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa
Collaborators: Provincial Growth Fund, Department of Conservation, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings.
Taranaki Taku Tūranga: Towards Predator-Free Taranaki
This is a large project that aims to restore Taranaki’s unique plants and animals. It also supports local communities and livelihoods by removing introduced predators.
The projects main focus is on the 7000 ha Zero Possum elimination block as well as engaging with urban and rural communities around effective predator control.
Launched: 18 May 2018
Project lead: Taranaki Regional Council
Māori partners: Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa, Ngaa Rauru, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Tama.
Collaborators: Wild for Taranaki, Taranaki Mounga Project, New Plymouth District Council, Stratford District Council, South Taranaki District Council, Federated Farmers, Department of Conservation, Manaaki Whenua/ Landcare Research, Zero Invasive Predators.
Predator-Free Taranaki website
Predator Free Hawke’s Bay
This project launched in July 2018. The first phase aims to remove possums from the Māhia Peninsula.
It also tests new ways to control rats in fragmented bush areas. This will help to protect biodiversity and conservation benefits.
Launched: 2 July 2018
Project lead: Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Māori partners: Ngāti Kahungungu iwi, Rongomaiwahine iwi, Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust, Ngāti Pāhuwhera Development Trust, Te Kōpere o te iwi o Hineuru Trust, Ngāti Hineuru, Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust, Waiohiki and Wharerangi Marae.
Collaborators: Department of Conservation, Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research, Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, Aotearoa Foundation, Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay, Whangawehi Catchment Management Group.
Predator Free Hawke's Bay website
Predator Free Wellington
This project aims to make Wellington the first predator‑free capital city. It started on the Miramar peninsula and is now expanding into neighbouring suburbs.
Over the next ten years, the project will expand into the CBD and surrounding areas. It will move north to the boundary with Porirua.
Launched: 8 August 2018
Project lead: Predator Free Wellington Ltd
Māori partners: Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whanui
Collaborators: Wellington Airport, Zealandia, Papa Taiao, Victoria University, Manaaki Whenua, Department of Conservation, 32 backyard trapping groups active across 44 suburbs and 32 schools participating in the pilot schools programme.
Predator Free Wellington website
Capital Kiwi (Wellington)
This project is a partnership between local communities, iwi and landowners. Based on a stoat removal network of 5,300 traps across 24,000 hectares, the project has successfully restored a wild kiwi population to the hills of Wellington. The project is turning attention to the potential of the relationships and the network to restore further taonga species to the landscape.
The project is supported by foundation funding from Predator Free 2050.
Launched: 1 August 2018
Project lead: Capital Kiwi Trust Board
Māori partners: Taranaki Whanui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira (and gifting iwi: Ngāti Hinewai, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Tupaia)
Collaborators: Wellington City Council, Wellington Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Wellington Community Trust, Transpower, Save the Kiwi, Meridian, philanthropic support, Lotteries, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, donations. Gifting sanctuaries: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Rotokare Scenic Reserve and Taranaki Kiwi Trust, Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
Pest Free Onetahua (Farewell Spit)
This project aims to protect Onetahua/Farewell Spit, one of our most special places.
The project works in partnership with Manawhenua ki Mohua. It aims to remove possums, stoats, feral pigs, deer and hares from reserve. It also keeps pests under control in the surrounding 12,000 hectares.
Project lead: Onetahua Restoration – partnership between Tasman Environmental Trust and HealthPost Nature Trust
Māori partners: Manawhenua Ki Mohua
Collaborators: Department of Conservation, Lonestar Farms, local businesses and community volunteers.
Predator Free Te Kinga (Lake Brunner)
Mount Te Kinga is an island in a sea of lakes and farmland. This project strengthens the mountain's natural barriers to stop pests returning. It uses a strong trap network to do so.
The goal of the project is to remove possums, stoats, rats, feral cats, goats, and pigs. This will support the recovery of native ecosystems on the maunga.
Launched: 29 May 2020
Project lead: Ara o Te Kinga Community Trust
Māori partners: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae
Collaborators: West Coast Regional Council, Department of Conservation, OSPRI, Tai Poutini Predator Free Collective, Zero Invasive Predators, Lake Brunner Community Catchment Care Group, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, local farmers and community groups.
Predator Free Te Kinga website
Pest Free Banks Peninsula
This project brings together 27 project partners. They aim to make the 110,000 hectare peninsula predator-free.
The project supports species like the threatened jewelled gecko. It also helps the continued recovery of populations of hōiho/yellow-eyed penguins, kororā/little blue penguins, tītī/sooty shearwater and reintroduced tūi.
Launched: 9 August 2020
Project lead: Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
Māori partners: Ngāi Tahu rūnanga (Ōnuku Rūnanga, Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke (Rāpaki) Rūnanga, Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Wairewa Rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata)
Collaborators: Environment Canterbury, Lincoln University, Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust.
Predator Free South Westland
This $45 million project aims to remove possums, rats and stoats. It covers a 100,000 hectare area between the Whataroa and Waiau (Waiho) Rivers. The work is planned for five years.
The area is home to New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the rowi. It also contains other rare and threatened species, including kōtuku (white heron), kea and the recently rediscovered Ōkārito gecko.
Launched: 11 March 2021
Project lead: Predator Free South Westland Ltd
Māori partners: Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio
Collaborators: The people of South Westland, Jobs for Nature, Department of Conservation, OSPRI and the NEXT Foundation.
Predator Free Dunedin
This project brings together 20 conservation groups and organisations. It builds on over ten years of community restoration work and predator control investments by OSPRI.
The work is split across three projects. These are City Sanctuary (Dunedin City Council), the Halo Project (Landscape Connections Trust), and Predator Free Peninsula (Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group).
Launched: 3 October 2018
Project lead: Predator Free Dunedin Charitable Trust
Māori partners: Te Rūnanga ō Otakou, Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki
Collaborators: Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Department of Conservation, OSPRI, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, Landscape Connections Trust, Manaaki Whenua and Otago Natural History Trust.
Te Manahuna Aoraki (Aoraki/Mt Cook)
This is a 310,000 hectare project in the McKenzie Basin. It sits between Lake Pukaki and Lake Takapō (Tekapo).
The area is home to many threated native species, including kea, tuke/rock wren, ngutu parore/wrybill, Mackenzie skink, robust grasshopper, and kaki/black stilt.
The project aims to remove many pest species, including possums, stoats, ferrets, cats, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs, weasels and Norway rats.
Launched: 1 May 2018
Project lead: Simone Smits, Zero Invasive Predators
Māori partners: Ngāi Tahu
Collaborators: LINZ, Department of Conservation, NZ Defence Force, ECan.
Predator Free Chathams
Removing introduced predators from the Chatham Islands could safeguard 1 in 5 of Aotearoa's bird species threatened with extinction, including some unique to this archipelago. Restoring these islands also creates a sustainable future for the country's most remote community.
Predator Free Chathams is a community programme to help restore the Chatham Islands' natural gifts, for now and for future generations. It will completely remove possums, feral cats, and rats from the archipelago. Work has begun in the Northeast of Rēkohu/Wharekauri, with a project about to begin on Pitt Island (Rangihaute/Rangiauria).
Launched: 1 March 2020
Project lead: Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust
Moriori and Māori partners: Hokotehi Moriori Trust and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust
Collaborators: Chatham Islands Council, Chatham Island Enterprise Trust and Department of Conservation.
Chatham Island Landscape Restoration Trust website
Predator Free Rakiura (Stewart Island/Rakiura)
This project aims to permanently remove rats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs from the island. This will improve habitats for native wildlife. It will also help many species return and recover.
This is the largest and most complex predator eradication project ever attempted on an inhabited island. It will provide important knowledge for future projects. And it will support New Zealand's goal to be predator free by 2050.
Predator Free Maukahuka (Auckland Island)
Auckland Island is a nature reserve and World Heritage Site. It is home to more than 500 species of native plants and animals. Over 100 of these species are found nowhere else in the world.
However, introduced pests such as feral pigs, feral cats and mice have caused serious harm. 32 bird species are no longer found on the island. Plants and forests have also been stunted and devastated.
The Maukahuka project aims to remove these three pest species from the island.