"Late last year there were 80 rats taken out of the tour area and when you understand that they can breed up to three times a year that's a significant number."
He said the birds would now have a relatively pest free breeding season. "It's the first step on our journey and in 5 to 10 years we imagine it will be just amazing."
The company will soon be encouraging local businesses and community groups to support their efforts. "What we want to do is package products to local businesses - and a couple have already come on board - to pledge to put in some traps which they will be able to monitor the progress of the eradication programme.
"If we get enough support we could put in $20,000 to $30,000 a year and turn this reserve into a major community asset covering the entire 500ha with walking trails and that sort of thing."
He said DoC was fully supportive of the programme.
In just eight-and-a-half months of operation 9000 customers have visited the attraction.