Connections boost biodiversity at Te Mata Park

by Catherine Mueller, Grants & Fundraising, Te Mata Park Trust

Connection is something that always comes to mind when considering the mahi undertaken locally and nationwide by the incredible network of dedicated volunteers and organisations who are all working towards the same goals of increasing biodiversity and supporting communities to take care of our precious whenua. 

This connectivity saw the Te Mata Park Trust receive significant support in the latest Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay funding round for pest control, in turn supported by their connection with Hawke's Bay Regional Council. The funding process was so well facilitated that we were up and running with the initiatives shortly after hearing word of our successful application, with 13 new traps, rabbit shooting, and slug and snail control underway.

With some additional support from a local park user, the total number of traps in the park now numbers 52. Eleven volunteers and families monitor these traps with excellent success. In just two months, the 26 new traps recorded 11 kills, from a total of 92 recorded to date by all 52 traps, a great start! Not only rabbit, but hare and possum numbers are being reduced by the shooting programme, and the new season plantings have a much better chance of survival with bait application for slug and snail control.

A huge thanks to Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay for the ongoing collaboration, connection and learning, support across many initiatives and of course, funding the Park Trust receives in support of the work we do.

24 November 2022

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