There’s trouble in the foothills of Kahurangi. Ferrets—one of New Zealand’s most cunning predators—have been spotted in the Flora Stream, the Tablelands, and surrounding valleys. Over the past 12 months, 25 ferrets have been caught in the Graham, Baton, and Motueka Valley alone—and that’s just the ones we know about! With kiwi, whio, and weka chicks vulnerable to ferret attacks, two groups of passionate locals are taking action to stop them.
A Team Effort
Understanding the growing threat, Farmers for Whio and Friends of Flora teamed up to design a new generation of ferret traps. DOC has supported the groups with some funding for trap mechanisms, and Carter Holt Harvey generously donated the timber to construct the trap boxes. Volunteers from both groups have rolled up their sleeves to make the traps, and now they’re ready for action!
Smarter Traps for Smarter Predators
Ferrets are notoriously difficult to catch, so the modified traps have been designed specifically for ferrets. Baited with salted rabbit, these traps are checked and refreshed monthly by community volunteers.
For the next two years, the traps will be trialled to ensure they are as effective as possible, before being used more widely on DOC Conservation land. The goal? To dramatically reduce ferret numbers and create safer home for our precious wildlife.
The Growing Threat in Motueka and Beyond
Ferret populations are on the rise, not just in the Kahurangi foothills, but also in the Motueka Valley and around Māpua. This is especially concerning for ground-nesting birds like kiwi, whio and weka, whose chicks are easy prey. Without our help, these predators will wreak havoc on our native taonga.
That’s why working together is key. Tasman Environmental Trust’s Predator Free Activator also helped out, facilitating the donation of wood from Carter Holt Harvey. Their support means more traps can be built—bringing us one step closer to a predator-free future.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Every trap deployed and every ferret caught is a win for our native wildlife—and a chance for kiwi, whio, and weka to thrive. Want to help? Keep an eye on our updates and look out for opportunities to get involved, volunteer, or support predator control efforts in your community.
Together, we’re making a difference—one trap at a time.
