Kiore/Pacific RatThe kiore or Pacific rat, Rattus exulans was introduced to New Zealand by Polynesian settlers the ancestors of the Māori around the 13th century. They were carried on voyaging canoes the waka as a food source and possibly as stowaways.
TE MAIRE 2021'S PURPOSE
Te Maire 2021, Ngāi Tamawhariua Ki Te Rereatukahia Taiao Charitable Trust, aims to restore the plants, birds, pekapeka and insects, thus the mauri, of the southern section of the Kaimai Ranges Forest, namely in the Aongatete area.
The Vision of Te Maire 2021 is to restore the sustainability of their ngahere for the benefits of all current and future generations to appreciate the natural beauty of the ngahere and all that lies within it.
Restoring the mauri of the forest to maintain a healthy and functioning forest ecosystem, will at a minimum require controlling possums, rats, mustelids and cats to low levels. Successful animal pest control will require investment in infrastructure including marked and cut tracks, traps and bait stations, a work-base and an operation base.
Predators Te Maire 2021 Target
Ship RatThe ship rat (also known as the black rat or Rattus rattus) was introduced to New Zealand in the early 19th century, likely arriving with European sailing ships around the 1820s. They quickly spread across the country and are now one of the most widespread and damaging predators in New Zealand's ecosystems.
PossumPossums were introduced to New Zealand in 1837 from Australia, initially brought over for the fur trade. However, their population exploded in the mid-20th century and has since caused severe environmental problems.
Ferrets, Stoats and WeaslesFerrets, stoats, and weasels were introduced to New Zealand in the late 19th century to control the rabbit population, which had exploded after the introduction of rabbits in the 1830s. Unfortunately, these predators have caused significant harm to New Zealand’s native wildlife, particularly because the native species evolved in the absence of land mammals and have no natural defences against such predators.
Feral CatsFeral cats (Felis catus) in New Zealand are one of the most problematic invasive species, having significant and detrimental effects on the environment. Feral cats were introduced to New Zealand by European settlers, and since their arrival, they have spread widely, becoming a key predator in native ecosystems. Their impact on native wildlife, particularly birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, has been devastating, contributing to the ongoing ecological crisis in the country.