The Retaruke Catchment Group successfully established a community trap bank with support from the Kanorau Koiora Taketake Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant, coordinated by the Whanganui Region Catchment Collective. The project aimed to make predator control more accessible to the community by providing a variety of traps for trial and use on private properties and shared conservation spaces.
Key Achievements:
- 26 traps purchased: 3 AT220 self-resetting traps, 8 DOC 200s, 5 Flipping Timmys, and 10 live-capture cat traps, plus spare batteries and lure.
- A trap bank system was set up and is managed by a community member, allowing anyone in the Retaruke area to borrow traps.
- A launch workshop, hosted by WRCC and predator control expert Cam Speedy, engaged ~20 attendees plus Kaitieke School students, who showcased their school trapline.
Community Involvement:
- Active use of the trap bank by farmers, landowners, hapū members, and the local school.
- Students from Kaitieke School are participating in ongoing trapping and monitoring, integrating biodiversity protection into their learning.
Future Plans:
- The group will continue trap maintenance through community working bees.
- A flyer was developed to increase local awareness and involvement.
- Plans are underway to expand use and encourage broader participation across the community.
Overall Impact:
This project has empowered the Retaruke community to actively protect whio, kiwi, and other native species, while strengthening local conservation knowledge and participation. The initiative is listed on the TrapNZ map and has established a strong foundation for long-term biodiversity gains in the region.
