Possum Control Area programmeTe kaupapa o te Possum Control Area

What does a monitoring fail mean?

We carry out annual possum monitoring across the PCA programme. We assess both long-term trends in possum numbers and the success of each landowner’s control measures on their property. If you’ve received a result more than 4% RTCI, this indicates that remedial action needs to happen to reduce possum activity on your property.

How do we know one possum hasn’t bitten multiple cards?

The PCA programme is designed to reflect the presence of possums in an area, not provide an exact number, so we allow for oversensitivity of chew cards. Studies have shown that 5% RTCI equates to approximately one possum per hectare.

Contractor control is expensive. Can I just shoot or trap possums myself?

While many landowners are keen to take possum control into their own hands, we would strongly recommend hiring one of our pre-approved contractors to manage your bait-station network (a list is provided with monitoring failure notifications). HBRC approved contractors can efficiently identify network gaps and are licenced to apply cyanide, an effective knockdown. They also understand the PCA programme well and know what level of control is required to bring your RTCI down below 4%.

We appreciate that this is yet another cost to landowners. Should you choose to use a contractor from our list, we will cover the cost of the bait stations, pay 40% of the poison cost, and accept that you are meeting your obligations with no further action needed. You would also receive further subsidised possum maintenance in future, capped to cost no more than $2 per hectare following this initial setup or network refurbishment.

Is refusing to engage a contractor an offence?

No. Although anyone occupying land in a PCA is responsible for controlling possum densities at their own cost, they may choose to carry out control themselves. We would follow a formal compliance process to legally verify the effectiveness of your work. You would be given six weeks to reduce possum numbers by your own methods (i.e. shooting/trapping/poison). We would then arrange to re-monitor your land with the leg-hold trap method to determine RTCI. If this is found to be at or below 4%, we’d accept that you are meeting your obligations and the compliance case would be closed.

If the RTCI result is above 4%, this would then be considered a breach of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

All programmes within the RPMP are underpinned by the Biosecurity Act and a breach creates an offence under section 154N (19) of the Act. We would be required to ‘act on default’ to reduce possum densities below 4% using a professional contractor. The cost of doing this, alongside administration and re-monitoring costs, would be charged to the land occupier.

Am I responsible for possums coming from outside my property?

Yes. Land occupiers are responsible for any possums found on their property. If effective pest control is being implemented, possum movement from neighbouring properties should be greatly reduced. A well-designed bait station network reduces possums on the boundary, minimising the chance of possums reestablishing in a new area. Regular bait station servicing is crucial and has been shown to keep possums at very low or undetectable levels.

Why don’t my rates payments cover possum control?

Although the initial driver of possum control in Hawke’s Bay was Bovine Tuberculosis, the main goal of the PCA programme is to maintain biodiversity gains through large scale possum control. The PCA programme is currently funded through the general rate and covers all subsidies, possum contracts, monitoring, auditing, and compliance.

The Regional Council/contractor led model has been put on hold while Cyclone Gabrielle recovery continues, so possum control remains the landowners responsibility.

Are there allowances for traps lost due to weather events?

We understand the disruption caused by severe weather events in the last few years continues to impact farm activities and infrastructure. This disruption varies between properties and in some cases has reduced the effectiveness of possum control. If you have circumstances that have impacted your ability to undertake effective possum control, please let us know. Contractors can be arranged to work around farm operations.

If you use an approved contractor, we will pay for any lost bait stations, subsidise bait, and assist with the cost of annual maintenance following this round of maintenance (terms and conditions apply). Any property that has not undertaken effective control within a two-year period will not be eligible for long-term maintenance assistance. Our Biosecurity Advisors can always be contacted for additional information. We will discuss issues unique to your situation and consider any mitigating factors.