Possum and Rat control

Possum and rats are not a direct threat to kiwi. However, they compromise habitat and predate on other species.

Community play an pivotal role in controlling possum and rats at a local level, on private and public land all over Whangarei Heads. A recent project applied a controlled 1080 pulse on Mt Manaia. We’ve produced a five-part web report on the aims, methods, and results of the Manaia Landcare Projects.

Locals have killed thousand upon thousands of possums and now, most of Whangarei Heads has very low possum numbers. Not only do kiwi and other wildlife enjoy the benefits of possum control, the pohutakawa blossom is spectacular in season. With these encouraging results, the dream of a possum free environment here is not so far away.

Rats

Some Landcare groups do rat control in their areas to improve native seed generation, lizard and small bird survival. Find out more about one of these projects on Taurikura Ridge.