Te Wharau Catchment Restoration – Predator Control Programme

Restoring ecological value and enhancing biodiversity on the shores of Whakaraupo / Lyttelton Harbour through a comprehensive predator control and replanting programme.

Te Wharau Catchment encompasses Orton Bradley Park, the recently purchased Te Ahu Patiki conservation park and the two highest peaks on Banks Peninsula – Mt Herbert and Mt Bradley.

The area has been assessed as having high biodiversity values and provides habitat for a number of threatened and special interest species, both flora and fauna. The area is used as a working farm, outdoor education centre and public recreational facility, resulting in ecological degradation over time.

Boffa Miskell worked with Orton Bradley Park Board to successfully bid for Jobs For Nature funding to provide ecological restoration and enhancement to the Te Wharau Catchment. Jobs for Nature is a $1.2 billion programme that manages funding across multiple government agencies to benefit the environment, people and the regions, and is part of the COVID-19 recovery package.

The funded project aims to improve the biodiversity of Te Wharau Catchment by implementing a variety of measures; including fencing, weed control, improved infrastructure, visitor information, monitoring and scientific study.

In addition, Boffa Miskell will provide comprehensive training and planning for the pest and predator control programme, which will be rolled out across the entire Te Wharau Catchment.

This programme will target both herbivores and carnivores using diverse trap types and cycling through baiting programmes. This action will protect and enhance the ecology of the catchment by protecting plants from browsing, and beneficial fauna (pollinators, seed disburses) from predation. This programme will continue beyond the funding allocation timeframe and is expected to be part of the larger Pest Free Banks Peninsula programme.