Waikato Regional Council Support

Photo: NZ re-setting autotrap AT220

An important development for Predator Free Tamahere this year has been the support we’ve received from Waikato Regional Council through their Small Scale Community Initiatives Fund (SSCIF) This funding has allowed us to significantly strengthen predator control in some of Tamahere’s ecologically important gully systems.

Thanks to SSCIF support, we’ve been able to purchase and install additional NZ Autotraps (AT220s). These traps are now operating on gully properties with existing bush, as well as around new restoration plantings in the Mangaharakeke gully near Bilsthorpe Lane — areas that are important habitat for native birds and bats.

The AT220s are proving to be a real asset. Their automatic resetting capability allows for consistent, ongoing pest control with less maintenance, enabling us to cover larger and more challenging areas more effectively. This is especially valuable in steep gullies with streams that are prone to flooding, where regular manual servicing can be difficult.

What’s particularly encouraging is how well this funding complements other community-led efforts. As restoration planting matures and overgrown gully access improves, the expanded trap network helps ensure these areas are protected from predators before they can undermine years of planting and volunteer effort.

It’s also important to note that Predator Free Tamahere does not receive funding from the Waikato District Council targeted gully restoration rate, which supports walkway and planting projects through the Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust. Our predator-control work relies on grants like SSCIF, partnerships and community support — making this funding especially valuable.

We’re very grateful to Waikato Regional Council for recognising the value of community-led predator control and backing projects like ours. SSCIF funding has enabled tangible, on-the-ground improvements that will continue delivering benefits well beyond this year.