TBfree New Zealand is working with us to stamp out pests in the Rangitoto Range to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) and bring the birds back.

The Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto ranges make up a part of New Zealand’s 10 million hectare TB risk area in which TB-infected wild animals have been found.

Rangitoto Station is one of our flagship reserves and home to kaka, tui, falcon and robins as well as giant totara, rimu and kahikatea all of which are in danger of pest browsing and predation.

NFRT Southern Reserve Manager Sharen Graham said the operation would follow up on previous aerial control in the area to protect native birds and bush.

“The trust actively supports the upcoming aerial 1080 operation because the method has previously proven to leave the ecosystem in a much richer state than when possums, rats and stoats are devouring native wildlife,” she said.

The objective of the national pest management plan is to eradicate the disease from at least 2.5 million hectares of the country’s total TB risk area by 2026. TBfree New Zealand aims to eradicate the disease from the Rangitoto Range as part of this plan.