South Titirangi Predator Plan Trial

Operating a pilot trial with a planned network of rat traps focusing on the southern Titirangi peninsula. Primarily a rat control plan that aims to suppress rat numbers to allow biodiversity to flourish. This trial will test the Predator Plan before roll out across the wider South Titirangi area.

Why a South Titirangi Trial?

Before rats can be suppressed across the whole South Titirangi area, it is necessary to test how the Predator Plan will work in a smaller area. The southern end of the South Titirangi peninsula has been selected as it is a relatively small area with fewer traps already in place. And has a relatively large number of homes on smaller sections.

With the peninsula being surrounded by water on three sides, it naturally creates a relatively contained space, which includes a petrel nesting area. The area has reserves, homes, cliffs, bush, kauri and native bush. Using the trial to manage the traps with contractors, regular monitoring STNN will have a better understanding of the efficacy of the Predator Plan.

Working with local neighbours to gauge how the community engages with the project. The trial will allow STNN and neighbours to overcome any barriers on a smaller scale, rolling out learnings across the wider community when the time comes.

Image shows the key area for the Predator Plan trial with a buffer zone to help reduce rats entering the area.

How it looks

The pilot trial area covers about 88 properties. The bait stations are deployed in a 100m x 100m spacing, with rat traps next to them and several possum traps in the trial area. Bait stations will be managed by professional contractors who will access them 4 times through the year of the trial, every quarter. Rat traps and possum traps will be installed based on community interest and checked more regularly by trained community members. The trial will run over one year (12 months). Monitoring tools such as wax blocks, trail cameras, and tracking tunnels will also be used to monitor rat abundance.

It takes a village!

Community support for STNN's mission to be predator-free has been critical to the success of the work to date – from households' permission to place traps on their property to the many volunteers that keep predator numbers down as we work towards being predator-free. As we focus on this area of South Titirangi it will rely on the local households allowing traps to be placed and managed across their properties.

The key household roads are: Arapito Road, Arama Avenue and South Titirangi Road below number 780 running to Jenkins Bay. If you are in this area and would like to take part get in touch. Or if you'd like to be kept in the loop sign up for the STNN newsletter.

Key Questions to be answered by the South Titirangi Peninsula Predator Plan Trial

1. Can we suppress rat numbers sufficiently with this plan?
2. What tools can be used in challenging terrain, e.g. cliffs and estuaries?
3. Will the community in the pilot area, embrace the project?

How do we stop rats coming into the area during the trial?

There will be a 125m interception zone within the boundary of the trial area to reduce rat immigration from outside the trial area.
Are the bait stations dangerous for my dog or cat?

There is very little risk to cats or dogs from the rat operational trial. The bait is secured inside protective boxes to prevent pets from accessing it. Any dead rats will be collected and disposed of safely. In order for a pet to be affected in any way, they would have to eat multiple, whole, dead animals. If you have any concerns about your pet, contact your vet.
Will bait stations be inside our house?

No, the bait stations will be on your property outside your house.
How will kauri dieback be managed?

All of the contractors and trained neighbours will be working to reduce impact and spread of kauri dieback.
What about my privacy?

Our friendly, trained team will only need to visit properties once per week to check and service the bait stations. You may not even notice them at all.