Northland Regional Council has welcomed $1.2 million in funding from Foundation North for Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui (PFPW).
Deputy Chair, Jack Craw, who also chairs the council’s Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, says PFPW – a collective of four predator elimination projects in the Bay of Islands – is entering an exciting new phase.
“I’m delighted to learn the news and thank Foundation North for this considerable contribution.”
He says Foundation North’s new funding, alongside renewed support from council and the Department of Conservation (DOC), will strengthen predator elimination efforts in the area and support long-term gains for biodiversity, communities and hapū.
“This investment provides financial certainty for the four projects working together to eliminate possums, rats, feral cats and mustelids from three Bay of Islands peninsulas and further build momentum toward a predator-free Taitokerau.”
Ella van Gool, Predator Free Russell project lead, says funding security “means we can keep skilled staff, support our volunteers, and focus on results for the birds, forest, and community instead of chasing the next funding application”.
“This funding covers the coordination, traps, lures and monitoring that keep the Old Russell, Tapeka and Township elimination zones protected, and it lets us extend into new areas like Paroa Bay and Tikitikioure.”
Councillor Craw says projects have been fortunate to have been well-funded, which has enabled investment in innovative technology, as well as the development of skilled people.
“The last 12 months in particular have seen new AI technology reduce field time, and the recent funding commitment from Foundation North, DOC and NRC has given longer-term employment certainty.”
“This has been a significant benefit, especially to smaller communities like Rāwhiti and Takou Bay.”
Foundation North has committed $1.2 million over three years to support the next stage of the programme, while the Council will provide $1.8 million and DOC $475,000. Projects also get great community support through substantial volunteer work.
Head of Funding at Foundation North, Audrey McLaren says its latest investment reflects the strength of the collective approach.
“Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui shows what’s possible when hapū, communities, and partners come together around a shared vision for the environment,” she said.
“Foundation North is pleased to help build on the momentum of this kaupapa, which is restoring biodiversity, strengthening kaitiakitanga, and creating benefits that will be felt for generations.”
Councillor Craw said that over the past four years, the collective has demonstrated that predator elimination is achievable on the mainland while building strong community support and expertise across the region.
“They are now near zero possum across a combined area of 7,400 hectares in Purerua and Russell peninsulas, rat-free on 1,100 hectares in Russell, and continue to eliminate mustelids, rats and feral cats across the remaining 5900 hectares of the programme.”
He says the combination of proven success, growing community participation and investment in new technology is creating unprecedented momentum for the programme.
“Predator Free teams have gained invaluable expertise through trial and error and have done a fantastic job growing community advocacy for their projects”.
“We are in a great position in Taitokerau to be thinking about future expansion and how to get to predator free by 2050.”
