Pest Control
Supercharging critter control
Dr Helen Blackie is leading efforts to supercharge Predator Free 2050 with solutions spanning engineering, creative design, animal behaviour, toxicology and ecology. But it's not easy with an… Audio, Gallery
Invasive: the story of Stewart Smith
Between the 1960s and late 2000s Stewart Smith went on a one-man crusade, releasing thousands of invasive fish into New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and streams. In this episode of Black Sheep, we… Audio
Mapping the stoat genome could be the answer to controlling the pest
New Zealand scientist Dr Andrew Veale has mapped the stoat genome - a global breakthrough which may hold the key to eradicating the pest. Audio
Queenstown unemployed could soon be pulling out wilding pines
Hundreds of displaced Queenstown workers may be used to help tackle a growing pest problem - wilding pines.
It's part of the $100 million the government announced in March to help redeploy workers… Video, Audio
Trapping in the Ruahine ranges
A Wellington couple have been going deep into remote parts of the Ruahine Ranges - laying and checking traps for predators. Audio
Restoring native plants with the Kaipatiki Project
Over the summer we've been around the country looking at all kinds of community conservation initiatives. Today we're in Auckland to find out about the Kaipatiki Project that for 21 years has inspired… Audio, Gallery
Massive urban pest eradication effort launched
The country's largest ever effort to eradicate pests from an urban area has begun. The $2.4m project aims to eliminate rats, stoats, weasels and possums from the Miramar peninsula in Wellington by… Video, Audio
Dogs on a mission aided by environmentally-friendly transport
Ten highly trained agents are being transported around Auckland on a new specially made wagon to hunt down pests, such as rats, stoats and skinks. Joanna MacKenzie and videographer Claire… Video, Audio
Predator Free NZ - dream or reality?
A panel of five experts debate what it will take to turn the idea of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050 from a dream into a reality. Audio
Wasp Wipeout
The group, Conservation Volunteers has joined the fight to take the sting out of wasps. Audio
Gene editing technology for pest control
US researchers have used CRISPR genome editing technology to successfully create a gene drive in mice. This has given some hope that such technology could be used to control pests. Audio
Wellington rats face death by chocolate in trapping trial
Rat traps baited with chocolate are part of a trial so see if the rodents can be controlled without using poison.
Sweet Thistles - Four legged pest control
AgResearch has set up a trial to see when goats find thistles most palatable. It's hoping they will eat the flowers and prevent thistles seeding. Audio
Weasel tracks discovered at Wellington wildlife sanctuary
The discovery came during a routine inspection of the sanctuary's fences and is the first-time there's been a weasel-scare at the pest-free sanctuary in the past decade. Video, Audio
Fears Argentine ants will invade Kāpiti Island
Conservation officials are concerned invasive Argentine ants may reach Kāpiti Island.
The Return of the Rabbits
Rabbit numbers have exploded in Otago in the past year and Shaun Moloney is contracted to help farmers and grape growers get rid of them. Audio
Kāpiti residents getting antsy: 'We want ... en masse slaughter'
Frustrated residents on the Kāpiti Coast are waging a war against Argentine ants.
Insects bask in hot weather
Humans are not the only ones enjoying the hot weather. Audio
Fears tōtara trees could be wiped out on the East Coast
There are calls for more to be done to save tōtara trees in the Raukumara Conservation Park from being destroyed by pests. Audio
Editing Our Genes: Pest Control
Kim Hill talks to Josephine Johnston, Dr Andrea Byrom, Kevin Hackwell, and Jan Hania about using gene editing as a weapon against animals which are pests in New Zealand. Audio