PHOTO: Predator Free Wellington

Redefining what’s possible in city landscapes

Predator Free Wellington Ltd is a charitable company supported by Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, NEXT Foundation, Predator Free 2050 Ltd and Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust. Predator Free Wellington connects a network of thousands – households, community groups, schools and organisations – who share the vision to make Wellington the world’s first predator free capital city.

On the Miramar Peninsula (Phase 1), norway rats and mustelids have been eradicated, joining the absence of possums which were previously eradicated by council in 2006. In partnership with Zero Invasive Predators, the project is now focused on chasing down the last remaining Ship rats. Taking a phased approach across Wellington, operations will soon be moving into Phase 2, where over 7,500 individual landowner permissions for installing and servicing devices have already been secured.

As part of the PF2050 vision, Predator Free Wellington is working to solve the urban piece of the puzzle and alongside The Capital Kiwi Project, aims to see rats, possums, mustelids and stoats removed from over 30,000 ha up to the boundary with Porirua.

Backed by unprecedented levels of institutional and public support and building on 20-years of integrated predator control in reserves and rural lanscapes, the spillover success of the ZEALANDIA Te Māra a Tāne ecosanctuary, and the efforts of community trapping groups, the programme is producing incredible results for both wildlife and community.