COMPETITION: Kaharoa School pupil Maggie Guyton, 12, was first senior in the individual competition. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Kaharoa School has been working hard this term to eliminate pests in the area as part of a competition.
Pupils took part individually or in teams of three.
Year 7 and 8 teacher and competition organiser Shannon Napier said the aim was to kill as many pests as possible over six weeks.
The final tally was six ferrets, two stoats, 23 rats, 185 possums, 23 hedgehogs, 400 rabbits, 31 magpies, eight goats and 12 mice.
The pests had to be killed in the Kaharoa, Te Pu, Hamurana and Ngongotaha areas.
Pupils received points for different pests and parents emailed through photos or the number killed, she said.
She said the 690 pests killed were no longer harming the forests, birds and insects.
"Not a bad effort at all."
She said they had great support from businesses and prizes were donated from Rotorua Canopy Tours, Rainbow Springs, Hunting & Fishing, Agroventures, McLeods Booksellers and Gun Supplies.
The Kaharoa Forest was down the end of the road with a kokako population and the school was linked with the Kokako Trust, Ms Napier said.
The trust did volunteer work to make sure pests such as rats, possums and stoats did not eat the birds' eggs and young, and the competition aimed to raise awareness of this.
"I think they are just great outdoor country kids and their families have got behind it and enjoyed getting out as a family."
The kokako was on the school logo and with the forest down the road Ms Napier thought the children understood the reasons behind the competition.
This was its first year and they would definitely be holding the competition next year, she said.
"It's been well received and the community got right behind it."
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