Government Boosts Otago Predator Control with $3.9 Million Investment

On 29 July 2026, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a new $3.9 million investment to expand predator elimination efforts across the Otago region. The funding is part of the Government’s next phase of the Predator Free 2050 initiative, following similar recent investments of $10 million in Auckland and $5.5 million in Wellington. The three-year investment targets the removal of stoats, feral cats, and possums in areas stretching from Port Chalmers to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, the Aramoana Peninsula, and north to Blueskin Bay. Minister Potaka highlighted that the funding will also bolster biosecurity and monitoring to protect the Otago Peninsula’s current status as a possum-free zone. According to Mr Potaka, the success of the Predator Free Dunedin project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of iwi, volunteers, landowners, and researchers. He noted that the initiative has been built through years of dedicated work by project leaders and partners, including the Department of Conservation. This new financial backing aims to support these local achievements and provide a model for predator control in other parts of Aotearoa. In addition to traditional trapping, the project is set to trial innovative technologies, including AI-enabled traps and improved predator detection systems. These advancements are expected to enhance rapid-response capabilities against predator incursions. Minister Potaka stated that the work demonstrates the results achievable when the Government supports successful local projects to reach the next level, ultimately providing more opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy the natural environment of Otago.