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Kererū: More Than Just a Pretty Face

There is something hard to miss about a kererū.Maybe it's the flash of white as one flies overhead, the unmistakable whoosh-whoosh of those big wings, or the rather spectacular thump they make when they land heavily in a tree.But kererū are much more than a pretty face.These big native pigeons play an important role in the health and regeneration of our forests — spreading seeds as they move through the landscape, feeding their young, and helping native plants find new places to grow.And som...

How to Tui

When you start hearing ruru at night and tūī at dawn, you know something good is happening. Your neighbourhood is becoming a little more alive.If you’re wondering how to bring more tūī — and maybe kererū, pīwakawaka and other native birds — into your own backyard, there is a pretty simple recipe:Food + Safe places to nest + fewer predators....

Safe Use of Rat & Possum Bait

Rat and possum control plays an important role in protecting Aotearoa's native wildlife, plants and ecosystems. Toxic bait can be an effective part of pest control, alongside trapping and other methods, but it needs to be handled and used carefully.This guide is for people using rat or possum bait supplied through the Predator Free Franklin initiative, supported by Te Ara Hīkoi.Always read the product label before using bait and follow the label instructions. If the instructions on th...

Discovering a endemic species at risk sparks action

Mangatangi–Maramarua Catchment ...

Empowering the next generation

Waiuku Trap Library ...

Why predator control matters

New Zealand's native wildlife evolved without mammalian predators like rats, stoats, possums, and feral cats. As a result, many of our birds, reptiles, insects, and plants are especially vulnerable, and without our help, many struggle to survive.Predator control gives nature a fighting chance. By reducing the number of introduced predators, we help more native birds successfully nest and raise their young, protect precious lizards and invertebrates, and support healthier forests where native pla...

Tracking our night flyers – Pekapeka in Franklin

Whakaupouku Landcare ...

Coastline conservation with big vision

The C.R.E.S.T ...

Working smarter: Tech-driven success going strong

With an exceptionally high uptake of smart cages and traps with automated monitoring tools, this small but mighty group has achieved astounding coverage of both traps and bait stations across their rural landscape. Predator-Free Whiriwhiri’s approach proves that working smarter, not harder can deliver exceptional results. By using technology to optimise placement, timing, and trap performance, they’ve built a data driven system that’s efficient, effective, and sustainable. The payoff? Dram...

Restoring the mauri of a river unites a community

This year their collective effort was recognised as recipients of the Auckland Catchment Group Showcase Award at the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, a reflection of the hard mahi and leadership shown across the catchment. Action driven by the community joining forces to trap pests, remove weeds, protect waterways, and bring native bush back to life.And the impact is clear:A record 2,024 possums reported this year133 ferrets trapped, along with stoats and weaselsFour water quality ‘waka�...

Restoring Turanga – One Saturday at a time

Turanga Restoration Project & Predator-Free Whitford ...

Bridging gaps, building halos, sustaining the vision

Jobs For Nature Kaimahi ...

Save your apples, and your time - effective possum control using traditional traps

The pest eradication game is changing quickly. Increasingly we are recommending high interaction multi-species traps like the Tāwhiti Smart Cage. Getting the older designs to compete takes a little thought and effort, but with a few tweaks you can get a bit more out of them.One of the most effective changes we've made for catching possums in Timms traps is to stop using apple and cinnamon. Don't get me wrong, fruit and spice suits possums, but it doesn't suit me and my precious time.I'm constan...