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From the mischievous kea to the delightfully musical bellbird, these species inspire wonder and are critical to New Zealand’s magnificent natural environment. But unfortunately, due to their isolation from predators before pests such as rats and stoats were introduced, many of these species lack the defence mechanisms to avoid predators, resulting in devastating effects to populations. At least 51 bird species have been lost in New Zealand since the arrival of humans and introduced pests: a further 38 species are threatened with extinction in this area alone.
Queenstown’s stunning scenery is not just a place for visitors to admire; it’s a critical ecosystem that needs our protection. The Whakatipu Wildlife Trust is working towards a bold, ambitious goal: to create a predator-free Whakatipu Basin, where native wildlife can thrive without the threat of introduced pests like possums, rats, and stoats.
“We’re aiming for zero pests- possums, rats, and stoats - across the whole Whakatipu Basin,” says Anna, Executive Officer of the Trust. “It’s an audacious goal, but with the support of our volunteers and partners like Love Queenstown, we’re making significant strides.”
To bring this ambitious vision to life, the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust has embraced innovative trapping technology. Thanks to a 2024 Love Queenstown Impact Grant, they were able to purchase consumables like lures and batteries for their new technology, the AT220 traps. These traps, designed in New Zealand by NZ Auto Traps, are a game-changer in predator control.
Possums are a major threat to Aotearoa’s biodiversity. Introduced from Australia in the 1800s, they’ve spread across the country unchecked, peaking at an estimated 50–70 million. They’re opportunistic omnivores, known to devour native plants, bird eggs, chicks – even insects like wētā and endangered snails. Their impact on forest ecosystems is immense, particularly on rātā and kāmahi trees.
That’s why expanding the possum trapping network is critical – and the Love Queenstown grant made it possible to move faster and more confidently. "Since receiving the Love QT grant, we have installed over 40 AT220s on our community volunteer traplines with more to come."
The project also supports the Trust’s broader goals: to ease the burden on volunteers, keep them engaged and motivated, and ultimately build a stronger, more effective network of community conservationists.
One of the key areas of focus is Bob’s Cove – a rich biodiversity zone home to kererū, kakariki, bellbirds, fantails, and tūī. As a peninsula, it’s naturally defendable, making it ideal for aiming high: total possum eradication. With suppression trapping by Whakatipu Wildlife Trust Bob's Cove community trapping volunteers and the Southern Lakes Sanctuary team already making a visible difference, the dream of a thriving, predator-free landscape feels closer than ever.
The Whakatipu Wildlife Trust has made impressive progress in its mission to create a predator-free Whakatipu Basin, but there’s still more to be done. The support from organisations like Love Queenstown has enabled the Trust to ramp up its efforts, adding more traps and engaging more volunteers in the process.
“We’re already seeing more wildlife in areas where predators have been suppressed,” says Anna. “If we can fully eradicate pests, we’ll see a dramatic increase in native species returning to these areas. The kākā, for example, could come closer to Queenstown, and our native bird populations would explode.”
As the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust works towards its predator-free goal, community involvement will be crucial. Volunteers, local businesses, and organisations throughout the district will continue to play a significant role in ensuring the success of this ambitious project.
With these ongoing efforts, Queenstown’s wildlife is set to thrive, and the region’s natural beauty will be preserved for generations to come.
Watch the Full Video to see the work of the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and the impact of the Love Queenstown grant in action.
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