Patea River Catchment Group 

2025 Taranaki Catchment Group Showcase: Patea River Catchment Group 

A dedicated group of volunteers is making significant strides in pest control efforts within their catchment, with the ambitious goal of seeing kiwi thrive in the area. 

Driven by a vision to be inter-generational kaitiaki (guardians) of the land and waterways, Patea River Catchment Group has established an impressive trapping network across about 2,500ha of farmland.  

Patea River Catchment Group was established in 2021, following strong interest from locals. Their driving goal was to support and improve the local environment while also increasing the knowledge and capacity of farmers in the area. 

Over the past two years, their efforts have yielded impressive results, with more than 950 pests caught. Their ongoing work is being further motivated by local reports of significant boosts in native birdlife and vegetation. 

The group puts their success down to the hard work and dedication of its volunteers who dedicate countless hours to checking traps. 

They are now focused on getting more people involved as the group expands its impact with additional traplines, including three extensions that aim to create a more robust buffer zone.  

Recent initiatives include hosting a successful trap-building day and a pest control information session for landowners. This year, the group is running a 10-week series of Farming and Compliance Confidence Taranaki (FACCT) workshops. These give farmers an opportunity to learn more about the science of farms – and how to manage land, water and agricultural greenhouse gases to meet regulatory requirements and protect productivity.  

Along its journey, the group has received invaluable support from Taranaki Kiwi Trust in the form of guidance, expertise, and encouragement. 

Patea River Catchment Group demonstrates the power of collective action in achieving conservation goals as they strive toward their long-term vision of seeing kiwi thrive in the Tarere Conservation area.