Towards Zero – uniting for wallaby control
It’s going to take all of us to get on top of Aotearoa New Zealand’s pest wallaby problem—everyone has a role to play.
The strength of this united approach is the focus of a new video, Toward Zero, released this week by us and Biosecurity New Zealand. It looks at progress after five years of the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme with interviews with people from across the programme in Waitaha/Canterbury.
Tipu Mātoro started in July 2020, its a partnership of Biosecurity New Zealand, iwi and regional councils in wallaby-affected areas, the Department of Conservation, Federated Farmers, Forest & Bird, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), farmers, foresters, landowners, researchers, and communities.
Stop, search, seal
In Waitaha we’re working to push wallabies back to a containment area, where wallabies have historically been present.
Once containment is achieved, we aim to continue reducing wallaby numbers and shrink the size of the containment area over time.
This method of working from the outside in is referred to as Stop, Search, Seal:
- STOP the spread by removing wallabies outside the containment area
- SEARCH new areas for hidden populations before they take hold
- SEAL the edges of the containment area to reduce ongoing spread
Together, we’re making real progress. But there’s more to do—and you might be able to help.
The wallaby control team
We coordinate wallaby control in Waitaha as part of Tipu Mātoro. Our role includes strategic planning, monitoring, data collection and targeted control operations using the Stop, Search, Seal approach and the most up-to-date tools, technologies and research to support us.
Landowners are the most important part of the wallaby control system—in the containment area they are responsible for controlling wallabies on their own land. We know that’s not easy, but it will never be cheaper or more achievable than now—especially where landowners work together.
The Tipu Mātoro national wallaby programme team at Biosecurity New Zealand works closely and together with our team on research, health and safety, operations, planning, communications and engagement.
A Regional Coordination Group meets at least twice a year, made up of representatives from:
- Biosecurity New Zealand and us
- Waihao, Moeraki and Arowhenua Rūnanga
- Department of Conservation
- Federated Farmers
- local farmer representatives
- Deerstalkers South Canterbury
- Port Blakely
- Forest and Bird
- Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate District Councils
- and Boffa Miskell.
We work closely with Otago Regional Council to ensure a coordinated response across our borders, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to share learnings.
Our contractors are the boots on the ground. These are highly skilled professionals trained in humane control techniques.
Through Tipu Mātoro we engage Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research to help us increase our understanding of wallaby behaviour and detection methods and monitor and assess our control operations.
If we want to stop wallabies from spreading outside of the containment area, we need to know where they are. We rely on reports from the community when they see a wallaby or signs of wallabies (prints, poo).
Moving towards zero wallabies
Collaborating to stop the spread of wallabies and remove established populations is essential to protect our native biodiversity and productive farms, forestry and communities from serious economic and environmental impacts.
Watch the video to hear from people from across the wallaby team about the progress we’re making with our united approach.
You can report wallabies online via reportwallabies.nz, or phone Biosecurity Timaru on 03 687 7800 or toll-free on 0800 324 636.