News we like

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

Student grants available

September 23, 2019 1:53 pm

Predator Free 2050 Limited is seeking applications from students wishing to conduct possum, rat or mustelid fieldwork projects, particularly in urban and rural landscapes. Up to five honours and post-graduate students will be funded up to $30,000 each, for operational and associated laboratory expenses. …more

Target 0 Newsletter September 2019

September 18, 2019 12:07 pm

The second issue of Target 0 is out, with its quarterly round-up of news from large landscape and research projects around the country. We now have over 72,000ha targeted for removal of at least one introduced predator and protection from reinvasion. With Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington operations well underway, 95 jobs have been created and Waiheke and Dunedin are also hiring. …more

NZ’s biggest urban eradication begins today

July 8, 2019 10:00 am

MEDIA RELEASE The country’s biggest urban predator eradication operation begins today as the Predator Free Wellington team begin installing 6,000 traps and bait stations in backyards across the Miramar Peninsula. Predator Free Wellington is a 10 year project aiming to make Wellington free of rats, possums and mustelids. The first stage of the eradication project […] …more

Target 0 Newsletter May 2019

June 5, 2019 3:29 pm

Predator Free 2050 Limited has launched ‘Target 0’, a quarterly round-up of news from large landscape and research projects around the country. In this issue: Signs of the impact Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. HBC already looking beyond Mahia. Stats on support for Predator Free Wellington. Daunting task for Te Korowai O Waiheke. Possum catch trends in […] …more