News we like

First Iwi-led Predator Free 2050 project funding announced

June 29, 2020 10:07 am

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has welcomed the announcement and funding of its Korehāhā Whakahau predator eradication project. Funding was confirmed on Saturday 27 June by the Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whākatane. The $5.6 million-dollar project will be led and delivered by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. Initial funders include Predator Free 2050 Limited, providing $2.4m through the Provincial Growth Fund, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings and Department of Conservation. …more

We’re hiring a new CEO

June 18, 2020 1:36 pm

Predator Free 2050 Limited is seeking a new CEO to lead the company into its next phase of growth. Details about this exciting position are available here. …more

Predator Free Lake Brunner gets go ahead

May 29, 2020 12:59 pm

Lake Brunner/ Kotuku Whakaoho is the setting for the latest predator free project to receive backing from Predator Free 2050 Limited and the Provincial Growth Fund. The announcement was made today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. The ambitious project will be delivered by West Coast Regional Council, which approved the funding agreement during the confidential section of the last meeting of the council on 14 May. Chair Allan Birchfield says it is part of a broader vision for the region. …more

Predator Free 2050 Limited welcomes Budget 2020 funding announcement.

May 14, 2020 5:51 pm

Predator Free 2050 Limited welcomes the emphasis of Budget 2020 on creating environmental jobs. As part of a $1.1 billion COVID response package designed to create 11,000 environment jobs, Predator Free 2050 Limited will receive an extra $76 million ($19 million per year), enabling it to co-fund new predator free projects around the country. …more

Predator Free 2050 Limited Chief Executive to step down

May 6, 2020 9:42 am

Predator Free 2050 Limited Chief Executive Ed Chignell has resigned and will step down from his role on 10 July 2020. Mr Chignell has led the government-owned company since August 2017, overseeing investments in ambitious predator eradication projects and breakthrough-focussed research around the country. …more

Target 0 Newsletter

April 20, 2020 4:49 pm

The latest issue of ‘Target 0’ looks at how predator free projects can create jobs as part of the government’s response to COVID. We announce funding commitments for a new stoat eradication project on D’Urville Island, report on mapping the genome of the ship rat, pay tribute to Sir Rob and visit NZ Autotrap’s new factory in Whakatane. Plus a roundup of the latest science and operational news from predator free projects around the country. …more

Predator free jobs for the post-COVID economic stimulus

April 20, 2020 3:35 pm

To help inform the government’s economic stimulus package in response to COVID-19 we have worked with our partners to prepare a prospectus of investment-ready projects around the country. By accelerating existing projects and fast tracking pipeline projects we’ve identified the potential for 457 long term predator free jobs, 307 of them that could be created within 12 months. …more

D’Urville Island gets predator free green light.

April 14, 2020 9:03 am

D’Urville Island is set to become stoat free after the signing of agreements between an island-based trust and funders this month. D’Urville Island Stoat Eradication Charitable Trust (DISECT) Co-Chair Oliver Sutherland says the six year, $3.1m funding commitment was the culmination of 16 years of preparation and planning by the group. …more

Significant milestone in New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 research reached. Rattus rattus genome sequenced.

March 23, 2020 9:01 am

March 23 – A New Zealand – Australia collaboration has produced the first full genome sequence of Rattus rattus (ship or black rat). This new reference genome – now available to international researchers – will empower scientists working on critical questions of conservation, evolution and disease prevention. The ship rat has caused species extinctions and dramatic biodiversity loss on every island group around the world, including New Zealand, as well as spreading disease and affecting agricultural production. …more

The Predator Free 2050 Strategy has launched

March 12, 2020 12:20 pm

The Predator Free 2050 strategy: Towards a Predator Free New Zealand was launched this week by Minister of Conservation Hon Eugenie Sage. The Strategy has three key phases of work “Mobilise, Innovate and Accelerate” Mobilise – to engage people and resources Innovate – create or improve predator eradication tools and methods for across rural, urban and natural landscapes, and Accelerate – rapidly deploy and effectively manage predators throughout the country. …more

Target 0 Newsletter December 2019

December 13, 2019 1:51 pm

The third issue of Target 0 reveals the first Products to Projects developments to be backed by the Provincial Growth Fund. We report on innovative new approaches emerging from our large landscape projects in Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Waiheke and Dunedin. And we share news of publications, awards and research that’s caught our attention over the last quarter, including the cover story of New Zealand Geographic’s Jan-March 2020 issue. …more

New generation tools for predator free 2050 effort

November 21, 2019 9:30 am

Predator Free 2050 Limited is partnering with the private sector to create the next generation of predator control tools. “We are excited to be working with some very clever Kiwi designers and entrepreneurs who are keen to contribute to the Predator Free 2050 mission,” says Predator Free 2050 Limited Chief Executive Ed Chignell. Backed by the Provincial Growth Fund, the Crown-owned charitable company today announced $3.5m in funding to enable five companies to produce innovative lures, traps and toxin delivery devices. They will be designed, assembled and trialled in regional centres. …more

Draft Predator Free 2050 Research Strategy 2020 – 2024

November 1, 2019 2:37 pm

Predator Free 2050 Limited’s Draft Predator Free 2050 Research Strategy 2020 – 2024 is now available and will guide funding investment through to 2024. The draft strategy is being made publicly available to encourage co-funding requests from researchers planning projects that will commence in the period 2020-24. …more