View of Rakiura over the Ernest Islands to Mason Bay. Image: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
A predator eradication project of this combined size and complexity has never been attempted before. It will be the biggest island predator eradication ever attempted globally and will also be a world-first predator free project on an inhabited island. Rakiura is around 180,000 hectares in size and has a population of 400 permanent residents. As a haven for native species, a predator-free Rakiura will protect these taonga for generations to come and enable nature and community to thrive.
The project initially outlines five expected phases in the coming years: preparing for the work ahead, including technical feasibility and planning; securing Rakiura against predators; restoring native biodiversity; protecting Rakiura’s gains from predator freedom, working with communities on and off the island; thriving thanks to the ecological, social and cultural benefits of continued predator freedom via the management of a robust biosecurity border.
As of October 2022, research priority-setting is now underway between Manaaki Whenua and Te Puka Rakiura Trust. Manaaki Whenua will provide $350K per year over the next 4 years of the project to undertake the fundamental underpinning science. This funding will be matched by Te Puka Rakiura Trust. The research partnership will drive deep insights into achieving freedom from predators, a critical part of which is understanding the social aspects of resourcing, achieving and maintaining freedom from predators from the perspective of the local community and iwi.
This ambitious work will be a major step towards the goal of a predator free Aotearoa New Zealand. Rakiura is the anchor for Aotearoa, and what we learn here will help to pave the way for the whole country to become predator free.