Rat trap workshop to help create ‘ring of steel’ around Tītīrangi

BJ from Mahaki Mahinga Kai and Topapa from Whaia Tītīrangi with some of the predator traps that those who attend a Tu Taiao Tairāwhiti Tītīrangi maunga predator-free workshop at Gisborne Yacht Club on Sunday will be taught how to use. It is part of the ultimate goal of New Zealand being predator-free by 2050. A Statistics New Zealand indicator, based on information gathered by the Department of Conservation, shows that more than 75 percent of indigenous reptile, bird, bat, and freshwater fish species in New Zealand are at risk of extinction. Picture supplied

Locals who want to help contribute to the response to the country’s biodiversity crisis can take part in an urban pest control workshop at Gisborne Yacht Club on Sunday.

The initiative is being driven by the Department of Conservation out of concern for New Zealand’s high rate of threatened indigenous species.

The free workshop is being organised by environmental conservation group Tu Taiao Tairāwhiti — a combination of iwi-led kaitiaki groups Whaia Tītīrangi and Mahaki Mahinga Kai.

It will be run by students doing the EIT course Te Hiringa o te Taiao/NZ Certificate in Māori Environmental Practices.

The focus of the workshop is on the area located around maunga Titirangi/Kaiti hill.

Those who live in the surrounding area are welcome to attend the workshop where they will learn how to become predator-free.

They will get to take home a rat trap (these traps are rated as humane).

Everyone at the workshop will be shown how to safely use the trap and will be required to record when a rat is caught. That information will become part of a national database called Trap NZ.

“This data links us with the rest of Predator Free New Zealand,” EIT tutor Ron Taiapa said.

“I’m currently helping get the project off the ground in Tairāwhiti. “

Getting around Tītīrangi predator-free was an “easy win”, he said.

The Tu Taiao Tairāwhiti Tītīrangi maunga predator-free project is dependent on volunteers. Mr Taiapa and his students hope to motivate volunteers and schools in the area to jump on board.

“We’re going to create a ‘ring of steel’ around the bottom of the maunga. What you’ll see is a decrease in rat numbers and an increase in birdsong.”

The project is supporting the efforts of Gisborne District Council.

“By taking care of some of the urban area, it frees up the council for the other work they need to do,” Mr Taiapa said. “They’ve supported this project by providing maps for us to work from so we can track project buy-in.”

Council liveable communities director Michele Frey is stoked that Mr Taiapa and his team have picked up the project and run with it.

“It’s going to take all of us to reach this national goal of being predator-free by 2050,” Ms Frey said.

“Our biodiversity team at council are hard-working and have a huge area to cover.

“Local initiatives like this one complement our own programmes. We are always happy to support and provide information where we can.”

Mr Taiapa thanked the council for its support and acknowledged the help of Dan Henry.

“Dan is the champion for the pest-free Miramar (Wellington) project, who sent us his template for the project, which we modified for Tairāwhiti.”

Seed funding for the project came via Tairāwhiti Environment Centre through Predator Free NZ.

The workshop is being held from 10am to midday.

Tu Taiao Tairāwhiti is the regional contact point for volunteers on urban pest control projects.

For more information go to the Tu Taiao Tairāwhiti Facebook page.