Pest Control

Pest Control Strategy

During 2024 the MCA committee, led by Mike McKessar, developed their thinking about the future role of the MCA in pest control in the community. There has been some excellent pest control work done, and still done in two distinct areas of our community, specifically on and below the road by Peter and Mary Webb and other volunteers and landowners, and in the Mt Cawte area above the road by Vic Koller and other volunteers.

We have spent time investigating what an effective community pest control programme looked like and spent time with the Picton Dawn Chorus group who have established a very successful pest control programme around their community. They highlighted a couple of key elements that are critical to success - that we need an engaged enthusiastic group of volunteers and we need a good strategic plan.

We have the potential to enable the native flora and fauna to really flourish on Mt Cawte, for the benefit of the community.

Our focus for 2025:

1. We built on the work already being done on and below the road with the MCA focusing its resources on assisting the community with 50/50 funding of traps with local residents, up to a maximum total value of $4,000. This money was available on a first in first served basis for one trap per property.

2. The committee focused on developing a wider pest eradication strategic plan for the Mt Cawte area and also began to establish the level of volunteer support.

Mt Cawte Operational Plan

We were successful at obtaining a grant from Marlborough Lines Ltd to cover the costs of a Predator Control Operational Plan for the Mt Cawte/Moetapu Road areas.

Lee Cresswell was engaged to prepare this plan and commenced with a field visit towards the end of May, and has submitted the report to the pest control team during July. This plan is very detailed, providing us a thorough guide for predator control in the Mt Cawte area, ensuring that all our efforts are targeted towards achieving the defined project outcomes.

The plan was presented to the full committee in our August meeting and is being presented to all members and residents at our AGM in January 2026.

View a copy of the plan : Mt Cawte/Moetapu Bay Road Predator Control Operational Plan

View a copy of the executive summary: Executive Summary of the Mt Cawte/Moetapu Bay Road Predator Control Operational Plan

Trapping Links

Trapping Survey:

This gathers current trapping practice, gains expressions of interest in subsidised traps and interest in supporting our trapping programs, along the road and in Mt Cawte. This complete this survey if you haven't already.

Trapping Subsidy Agreement: This is open for requests 1st April - 30th June 2026

This agreement lists the MCA and resident responsibilities, along with further information about the 3 traps for subsidy and outlines the process for it.

Support the MCA's trapping programmes

If you would like to financially contribute to pest eradication in our community please contact moetapu.mca@gmail.com

Baton Valley Trust

The Baton Valley Trust has been a great supporter of the MCA since 2018, especially in the areas of predator control and wilding pines. In 2026 they have also provided funds to support the educational goals of the Boatshed Library. Their support is of huge benefit to our community, and of which we are truely grateful.

The Baton Valley Trust Board was established in 2008 with the aims of:

Achieving small scale, sustainable conservation, in order to maintain and regenerate native species of flora and fauna.
Developing a high standard of ecological performance in all pertinent areas of conservation; establishing and defining indicators that measure change in these factors.
Facilitating education about sustainable conservation and sustainable living through educational workshops, outdoor activities and community events.

The trust purchased land up the Baton Valley backing onto the Kahurangi National Park and bordering the Baton, Skeet and Ellis Rivers. Work was done in developing the land and also building a replica of the original Baton Hotel (licensed to operate in 1867 which serviced the gold rush in the valley), now ‘Baton House’. The addition of two new ‘miners cottages’ are just nearing completion.

To learn more about the Baton Valley Trust/Baton House please look up their website.

External Resources

Predator Free NZ: https://predatorfreenz.org/

Subscribe to the regular Predator Free NZ Newsletters: https://predatorfreenz.org/toolkits/thebasics/ (bottom of page)