Restoring nature’s gifts
The Chatham Islands are unique, fertile islands surrounded by productive seas, with wildlife found nowhere else in the world.
The Chathams have more endemic species than any other biogeographic area in New Zealand. 25% of New Zealand’s threatened species live on the Chathams, resulting in an outstanding conservational value for money ratio.
Following consultation with landowners and the local community on main Chatham/Rēkohu/Wharekauri to build community support, the north-east sector of the island has been chosen as the first step towards eradicating possums, feral cats and rats from the entire island.
The island is currently free of mustelids.
Work is now underway to complete the technical feasibility study.
| Launched | March 1, 2020 |
| PF2050Ltd investment | $100,000 (initial) |
| Total project investment | Ongoing |
| Funding commitment | TBD |
| Project lead | Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Group |
| Māori partners | & Moriori partners - Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust & Hokotehi Moriori Trust |
| Collaborators | Chatham Islands Regional Council, The Department of Conservation, The Chatham Island Enterprise Trust. |
| Ambition | Eradicate possums, feral cats, and rats from the entire island to restore the island's ecosystem to its natural seabird-driven state and help both our community and biodiversity become more resilient as we move forward together into the future. |
| Design | Eradicate possums, feral cats and rats from the entire island. Work is currently underway to complete the technical feasibility study. The initial project stage will target possums and cats before removing rats. |