We can all play a part to help protect and enhance our region's precious biodiversity — birds, lizards, insects, invertebrates, plants and ecosystems. Join Towards Predator-Free Taranaki and stop rats, possums and mustlelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels) wreaking havoc on our native environment.
It’s critical we stop them before they cause irreparable damage. If you’d like to help biodiversity and get involved in the project, Towards Predator-Free Taranaki — register here . We’re starting in the New Plymouth area, Oākura and the Kaitake Range with three different work streams – rural, urban and Restore Kaitake.
Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Towards Predator-Free Taranaki
The Taranaki Regional Council can support you with a range of traps and devices, offering subsidised box-tunnel rat traps that are safe around pets and children for $10. If you’re unsure about using a trap, we will also provide assistance and discuss options you’re comfortable with. Find out more at one of our free urban trapping workshops
Pick up a rat trap and box
Pick up a subsidised $10 rat trap and box from:
- Mitre 10 Mega, The Valley, New Plymouth
- Mitre 10 New Plymouth, 305 St Aubyn St, New Plymouth
- Hunting & Fishing Taranaki, 25 Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth
- Experience Pūrangi, 53 Rata St, Inglewood - info@purangikiwi.co.nz
Or contact one of these schools, which are selling them to raise funds for conservation/environment projects. Contact the school to arrange a time to collect your trap and free goodie bag :
New Plymouth
Frankley School - anna@frankley.school.nz
Highlands Intermediate - julz.jameson@highlands.school.nz
Sacred Heart Girls College - LBL@shgcnp.school.nz
Puketapu, Bell Block – ksowman@puketapu.school.nz
St John Bosco – matt@sjb.school.nz
Woodleigh School - sharon@woodleigh.school.nz
Don't forget to contact the school to arrange a time to collect your trap.
Regional
Egmont Village – poulgrain@yahoo.com
St Josephs Opunake – jodyclaire@xtra.co.nz
Stratford Primary – marlenel@sps.kiwi.nz
Uruti – principal@uruti.school.nz
Manukorihi Intermediate, Waitara: s.halcombe@manukorihi.school.nz
Coastal Taranaki School, Ōkato: margaret@coastaltaranaki.school.nz
Norfolk School, Inglewood: elizabeth.carter@norfolk.school.nz
Ngāere School, Ngāere/Eltham: megan@ngaere.school.nz
Oākura School: office@oakura.school.nz
Huirangi School, Huirangi/Waitara: principal@huirangi.school.nz
Don't forget to contact the school to arrange a time to collect your trap.
Other towns
Other urban areas in Taranaki will be included as the project continues. Please follow the link to register your interest and we'll be in touch when the project comes to your town.
Towards Predator-Free Taranaki registration
Already got your trap?
Be sure to register on the Trap.NZ website, and record your trapping catches there. This provides invaluable data not only for this project, but for others around New Zealand wanting to do something simillar. The process is easy and free, and there are also apps for both Apple and Android.
Recording catches | Trap.NZ website
Trap.NZ Android app Trap.NZ Android app | Trap.NZ Apple app Trap.NZ Apple app
More information
Follow the links for more information about Towards Predator-Free Taranaki and its phases
Schools & Towards Predator-Free Taranaki
What New Plymouth rats like best
Ecologist helps lead Towards Predator-Free Taranaki
Restore Kaitake unites community of trappers
Grandmother becomes urban trapper
Taranaki tackles predator-free challenge
Get involved
Click on map for big version.
To order your trap or show your support, check the map to see which area you're in, then select the appropriate form.
Teachers and principals wanting their school to be involved in Towards Predator-Free Taranaki should email chauncy.ardell@trc.govt.nz with their details.