Community Pest Control Areas

What is a Community Pest Control Area?

Community Pest Control Areas are partnerships between the Northland Regional Council (NRC) and community groups interested in restoring Northland’s unique environment. More than 75 CPCAs, collectively involving more than 1000 people and covering more than 130,000ha, have been established over the past decade in parts of Northland that our communities have identified as worth protecting.

The primary focus of most CPCAs is on controlling animal pests like rodents, possums and mustelids to preserve wildlife - particularly Kiwi - in the area. Wetland, forest or overall catchment protection/enhancement are also important drivers for the work done in the areas.

Many CPCA projects have joined together. For example, the Kiwi Link CPCA, between Whangārei Heads and Tutukaka, involves 9 linked Landcare groups.

How do they work?

CPCA projects can be set up in any area identified by the community as worth protecting. A proposal from the community is assessed by one of our Biosecurity Officers and a formal agreement will eventually be set up before any funding is provided. The CPCA framework enables the groups to approach projects using both scientific and Mātauranga Māori to inform their work.

Land included in a CPCA can be a mixture of land types, or a single landowner. Land managed under a CPCA may be a mix of privately owned, Department of Conservation (DOC) reserves, local council recreation areas, Māori land held in Trust, commercial pine forests, or other land tenures.

Who does what?

Landowners carry out the pest control work and NRC provides advice, support and funding.

Results

Many of the CPCA areas have recorded excellent success in growing and/or establishing Kiwi populations in the area.

Warawara in Western Northland is one example of a very successful CPCA in Northland.

The Tanekaha-Hukerenui Kiwi Community is another example of a successful CPCA in Northland. Find out more about the Tanekaha Kiwi Community on their Facebook page.

Need more information?

Get in touch with our Biosecurity team for more information about the Community Pest Control Areas.

Email: [email protected] | Freephone: 0800 002 004