PHOTO: Taranaki Regional Council

Long-term council commitment aims region-wide.

Taranaki Taku Tūranga -Towards Predator-Free Taranaki is a large-scale project aimed at restoring Taranaki’s unique wildlife and plants, while also protecting the region’s lifestyles and livelihoods by removing introduced predators.

Launched in 2018, the trailblazing project is using the latest trapping techniques, innovation, technology and engagement methods, sharing lessons learned as the country works towards its Predator Free 2050 target.

Led by Taranaki Regional Council, the region-wide project is working with residents, businesses, schools, iwi, hapū, environmental groups and communities to remove possums, rats and mustelids from urban, rural and public land around Taranaki Maunga. This complements the outstanding mahi being undertaken by DOC and the Taranaki Mounga Project within Te Papakura o Taranaki.

Towards Predator-Free Taranaki is building on the Taranaki community’s existing regional biodiversity protection work, which includes the Self-Help Possum Programme, Riparian Management Programme and working with landowners to support the protection of key native ecosystems within the region.

The project has had great success with possums eliminated from parts of the rural and urban land adjacent to the Kaitake ranges.