Predator Free working to save our native birds

Native birds like the tui are under threat from predators such as rats and possums. Photo / Supplied

Predator Free Hamilton is looking to save New Zealand's native birds and control predators around Hamilton.

The project was established last year, and has been helping with the Waikato Regional Council's Halo programme, which aims to bring native birds, such as tui and bellbird, back into Hamilton city.

With the increase of native birds, rats and possums have become a real threat to the project.

Predator Free has started a pilot project within the Onukutara Gully, which stretches from Hukanui Road to Crosby Road in the Chartwell area.

The pilot project has included researching the location of rats and possums in the area and how far they travel. They have then placed traps in areas along the gully. Some of the locations have been on privately-owned land, with owners needing to get involved in the project for the traps to be placed.

Kemble Pudney of Predator Free Waikato says that they only work with owners who want to get involved.

"We approach the closest house and ask. If they say no we move on to the next property," Kemble said.

"Some folk are happy to have a trap but don't want to have to extract a dead animal from a trap. The new kill traps are best for them as the dead animal drops clear and you can pick it up wearing gloves and bury it."

The target Predator Free is aiming for is a 5 per cent or less hit rate on the tracking tunnels for rats or chew cards for possums.

"This rate has been shown to be consistent with breeding populations of a couple of desirable species in a bush setting. There's no equivalent figure for towns but it's the best we have at the moment."

While hoping to make Hamilton predator-free as soon as possible, the goal is still some way off.

"We are still analysing results from the pilot project and planning our first extension area. We need to be confident we have the right approach before we go too far in putting it in place more widely."

Predator Free wants to work with the future central government, with several parties offering aid already.

The Green Party wants to double the department of conservation's staff and make tourists pay a fee to help keep New Zealand's bush safe.

The proposed $20 tourist fee would be used to help keep bushwalks and pathways clean and usable.

The National Party announced on September 2 that, if re-elected, it would pump $69.2 million of funding into the project over the next four years.

"One element of it is a contestable fund for community based projects, and I am sure Predator Free Hamilton would be interested in applying for that."

"We have not yet received funding from central government.

"Assistance has been in staff time and in kind from Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Landcare Research and Landcare Trust," Kemble said.