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Managing pests and biosecurity threats
Last updated: 24 May 2024
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Portfolio: Biodiversity and biosecurity
We are acting early and working in partnership to protect indigenous biodiversity, economic production and mahinga kai from harm caused by pests.
We control plants and animals that have a negative impact on our natural environment through the implementation of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan. We report annually (PDF file, 1.6MB) on our progress.
To do this, we partner with Ngāi Tahu, landowners, communities and industry to promote pest management, develop an awareness of pest threats and encourage community action.
Our Biodiversity Advisory Groups are community groups that have been established to provide advice and support for regional biosecurity programme delivery in their respective regions.
We also contribute to local, regional and national biodiversity partnerships, such as the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme, Wallaby Management Programme and South Island Councils’ Biosecurity Alliance, which enable us to share knowledge and resources and deliver programmes that are more efficient and better connected.
How are we tracking on our Levels of Service?
Level of Service 14: Provide regional leadership to act early and work in partnership to protect indigenous biodiversity, economic production and mahinga kai from harm caused by declared pests and other invasive organisms.
As part of this Level of Service we will:
- 14.1 Implement the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan (CRPMP)
- 14.2 Implement surveillance, investigations and pathway management initiatives to reduce the risk of pests and other invasive organisms establishing in Canterbury
- 14.3 Empower individuals and the community to assume responsibility for and take action to address biosecurity issues
How are we doing: We’re on track, working to gather spatial data, numbers and density information on various species. We are continuing to assess organisms so they can be prioritised for future management. We are also working with biodiversity teams to review site-led programmes. We are working with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to implement the Check, Clean, Dry surveillance programme during the summer months.
We have undertaken community engagement with over 50 activities occurring in the first three quarters of the financial year, including attending A&P shows and the sustainable festival in Timaru. We have facilitated a community meeting to discuss the occurrence and spread of the succulent pest known as ‘pigs ear’ on Banks Peninsula. We have also facilitated a round of meetings with the four Biosecurity Advisory Groups and the Nassella Advisory Group.
On track
How are we doing on our key initiatives?
Controlling wilding conifers through the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme
How are we doing: A further $4.1 million of funding has been obtained for wilding conifer work in Canterbury from the Department of Conservation’s International Visitor Levy Fund. The team is on track to deliver in all existing and new operational areas.
Works have commenced, with the pilot in the Godley area our first station formally transitioned out of the wilding conifer programme. Discussions are happening at a National Wilding Conifer Control Programme governance level to provide operational direction for the next financial year.
Find out more about how we manage wilding conifers.
Download document: Wilding conifers - What you need to know (PDF file, 945KB).
On track
Managing wilding conifers on our land (Takapō Regional Park)
How are we doing: In the last quarter, 38 hectares of regenerating wilding conifer within stage 1 were sprayed using drones. Some final ground spraying in high-value areas has also been completed. In previous quarters, slash left by the harvest was partially chipped and tidied. Reinstatement of recreational tracks damaged or covered with slash during the harvest operation was undertaken.
On track
Managing the threat from Bennett’s Wallabies
How are we doing: We hold the funds for the control work within our region, targeting the pests both inside and outside of a 900,000 hectare containment zone.
We have obtained consent for a wallaby fence and 20 km of the fence has now been completed. Planning is underway, including hui with Arowhenua and Waihao, for the winter 2024 baiting programme.
‘Judas’ baiting trials have commenced in an attempt to find some of the last remaining wallaby outside of the containment zone. Pestex 1080 bait trials have continued with success to date.
On track