Patumahoe village aims to be predator free

Patumahoe village with support from a Whakaupoko Landcare initiative has been successful in gaining funding from Predator Free New Zealand and Kiwi Bank to help make Patumahoe predator-Free.

‘‘The focus of this programme is first starting predator control in your own backyard,’’ said Whakaupoko Landcare’s Andrew Sinclair.

‘‘This is with houses in the village itself and in rural land close to Patumahoe.’’

Sinclair said the main initiative was with providing rat traps that came with a protective cage built by local volunteers to prevent cats, dogs and children from accidentally catching fingers and paws.

There is also a limited special available where people can register to purchase a Good Nature A24 rat trap with a counter for $80. (Normal price direct from Good Nature is $199).

Sinclair said the initiative was already showing a lot of promise as people in the local area were now doing so much more for predator control.

‘‘We just carried out a local bird survey with the help of Patumahoe School room 9 and initial results show tui and kereru numbers being already four to five times higher than five to 10 years ago.

‘‘One nearby landowner now has for instance 24 Good Nature Traps on their property. Several others have a network of bait stations.

‘‘For the first time last year a bat survey picked up long tailed bats cruising around Patumahoe at night.’’

Jade Tawhiti, principal at Patumahoe School, said: ‘‘Predator Free NZ is about action. Children love being involved with the outdoors and enhancing biodiversity.’’