Department of Conservation

Pāteke Predator Control

Predator control of mustelids and cats is fundamental to the protection of pateke/brown teal, a rare endemic duck which is particularly susceptible to predation and North Island Brown Kiwi. Pateke were once widespread throughout New Zealand, but are now reduced to just two remnant wild sites, one of which is the area outlined in this contract.

The services required in the contract are for a contractor to undertake predator trapping operations on both Public Conservation Land (Mimiwhangata Coastal Park) and private land in the Teal Bay, and Whananaki. The Director-General has established 599 traps across these sites which are to be serviced weekly or fortnightly, depending on the site and season. Bait supply and preparation is included in the services required. Predator control tailored to protect Pateke has been refined over many years by the Pateke Recovery Group, and that is represented in the detailed requirements in the contract.