Collective Action Against Pest Plants & Animals
In the heart of the Upper Clutha catchment, the On Farm Environmental Support (OFES) programme is proudly carrying forward the momentum of Jobs for Nature—working with catchment groups, empowering landowners to actively protect and restore native ecosystems, while fostering a thriving, resilient landscape for generations to come.
Invasive species are a persistent challenge in the Wānaka region, threatening native biodiversity and agricultural productivity. While individual landowners often manage pests on their own properties, the scale of the problem often demands a united front. That’s where OFES, through funding provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), has made a real difference—supporting catchment-wide pest control initiatives that are strategic, collaborative, and effective.
Pests like rabbits and Nassella Tussock don’t respect property boundaries. For individual landowners control efforts are a constant consideration, though when the scale of the issue becomes too large to tackle alone, a consolidated effort to manage these threats is crucial. Over the course of this funding, we have seen two local catchment groups exemplify this approach in nassella tussock and rabbit control programmes. These projects not only help protect agricultural productivity but also contribute to the ecological integrity of the wider catchment.
Case Study: Cardrona Valley – Nassella Tussock Control
The Cardrona Valley Catchment Group’s Nassella Tussock control programme illustrates the power of collective action in managing invasive species.
Recognising the threat posed by Nassella Tussock to both farmland and conservation areas, the group initiated a catchment-wide control effort involving five high country stations, supported in-part by MPI Catchment Extension Services funding.
Project Overview:
- ORC provided GIS mapping and plant ID training.
- An educational field day helped landowners learn identification and control techniques.
- Contractor executed control work.
- Over 14,000 individual plants and 200 clumps were grubbed and sprayed.
- 910 contractor hours were logged.
The programme was developed in close collaboration with the Otago Regional Council (ORC) Biosecurity team, who provided plant identification training, surveillance data and mapping. Using GIS technology, ORC delineated control areas, enabling contractors to target their efforts effectively. A Contractor was engaged to execute the control work, guided by the GIS data.
Though the work is ongoing, this coordinated approach will significantly reduce the spread of Nassella Tussock and reduce the risk of its encroachment into neighbouring properties and DOC conservation land. The programme’s success highlights the importance of strategic planning, inter-agency collaboration, and landholder education in managing biosecurity threats.
By addressing the issue at a landscape scale, the Cardrona Valley Catchment Group has set a precedent for effective invasive species management, the benefits of which will be felt for generations to come.
Case Study: Maungawera Valley – Rabbit Control Programme
The Maungawera Biodiversity Group has undertaken a comprehensive rabbit control programme to address the widespread impact of rabbit overpopulation on farmland and native ecosystems.
The broader project is a catchment scale rabbit control programme involving 12 properties coordinating a 5-stage programme to achieve rabbit control in the Maungawera Valley, with stages two and three supported by MPI Catchment Extension Services funding.
Project Overview:
- Completed 11.3 km of rabbit-proof fencing.
- Treated 210 hectares across nine properties.
- Monitoring & night shooting to assess and reduced remaining populations.
- Follow-up poisoning based on monitoring results.
- Ongoing monitoring to ensure long-term success.
Stage One focused on fencing, with an application submitted to the Otago Regional Council EcoFund for the procurement of 11.3 km of rabbit-proof fencing materials. Stage Two involved the poisoning of 210 hectares across nine properties. This was followed by Stage Three, which included monitoring and night shooting to assess and reduce remaining populations. Stage Four will implement additional poisoning based on monitoring results, and Stage Five involves continued with follow-up monitoring to ensure long-term effectiveness.
The programme’s strength lies in its collaborative approach, with landholders working in unison to implement control measures across property boundaries. This coordination is essential for managing mobile pest populations like rabbits, which can quickly repopulate treated areas if neighbouring properties are not simultaneously managed.
The Maungawera Valley initiative demonstrates how strategic planning, funding support, and community cooperation can lead to effective pest control. By reducing rabbit populations, the programme not only protects pasture productivity but also supports native vegetation regeneration and broader biodiversity goals.
These case studies underscore the value of highly engaged catchment groups within the community enabling catchment-wide action. Whilst highlighting the role of OFES with MPI support in enabling landholders to implement large-scale, impactful environmental interventions.
The success underscores the value of:
- Strategic planning
- Inter-agency collaboration
- Landholder education
By tackling the issue at a landscape scale, the Cardrona Valley Catchment Group and Maungawera Biodiversity Group have set a powerful precedent for invasive species management.
The OFES programme is more than just environmental stewardship—it’s a catalyst for community wellbeing. By supporting local landowners with practical tools and ecological expertise, OFES strengthens connections between people and place. It creates opportunities for collaboration, enhances biodiversity, and contributes to a shared vision of sustainable land management. The ripple effects include healthier waterways, increased native wildlife, and a stronger sense of collective responsibility across the Upper Clutha region.