Growing a community that cares for nature in Paerata
From rural farmland to the growing township of Paerata Rise, the community is changing — creating an opportunity for new & established residents to work together to protect local habitats and help native wildlife thrive.
Why this project matters
Paerata’s landscape has long been shaped by farming, open countryside and waterways that connect the land to the wider Franklin environment. Streams, wetlands, gullies and remaining pockets of native vegetation provide valuable habitat for native wildlife, while helping maintain water quality and the health of the surrounding environment.
As Paerata grows, protecting these natural areas becomes increasingly important. Residential development brings new neighbourhoods and opportunities for community connection, but it also makes caring for remaining habitats and waterways a shared responsibility. Healthy stream corridors, native planting and effective pest control can all help support biodiversity as the landscape changes.
Introduced predators such as rats, possums and stoats put pressure on native birds and other wildlife. By taking practical action close to home, residents can help reduce these pressures and contribute to a healthier environment beyond their own backyards.
Whether you’ve lived in Paerata for generations or have recently settled in Paerata Rise, you can be part of the local conservation effort. Setting and maintaining traps, sharing knowledge with neighbours and supporting the care of green spaces and waterways are all ways to make a difference.
Together, Paerata’s rural and urban communities can help ensure that as the township grows, nature remains an important part of the place we call home.
Get involved in Paerata
1. Join the Paerata project newsletter
2. Get in touch with the local project coordinator
Email: contact@tearahikoi.nz
3. Check out our events calendar
See what's coming up in your local area and across our rohe.
Already have traps and bait stations?
We would love it if you could map them on Trap.NZ, and, even better, keep records of what you catch (Don’t worry, the exact locations are kept private, it just lets us know roughly where action is happening in the area).
How to map your traps and bait stations and keep records
1 – Register on Trap.nz
2 – Join the Paerata project
Join the Paerata project
4 – Use the app to map your traps and bait stations and to keep records
Map your traps and bait stations and to keep records of when they’re rebaited and when captures happen. Check out trap.nz's handy 'Getting Started' info to learn the basics of using this powerful conservation platform.
When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Te Ara Hīkoi empowers communities across Franklin to protect and restore nature through predator control, habitat restoration, pest plant management, and conservation education.
