Predator Free 2050 will increase its focus on eliminating predators alongside current suppression efforts, according to the new strategy released today.
As part of this, the government is spending $5.5 million over five years to target introduced predators in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, with the aim of making it NZ’s first predator-free city.
The SMC asked experts to comment.
Professor James Russell, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, comments:
“The Predator Free 2050 mission requires scaling up and connecting predator elimination projects across the three broad habitats of forest, farmland and urban found across Aotearoa. Predator Free South Westland has already achieved landscape elimination across 100,000 hectares of rural landscapes, and the announcement today signals an exciting addition of scaling up in an urban landscape. With more projects such as these the puzzle pieces of a Predator Free New Zealand will eventually connect.
“Coinciding with the release of the new PF2050 strategy, the announcement of Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara shows the ongoing commitment to and progress towards a Predator Free New Zealand, and at the same time raises the bar for other urban landscapes and major cities around New Zealand to commit to becoming predator free. The opportunity for Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is built upon the long standing commitment and success of local projects such as Zealandia and Predator Free Miramar.
“In a globally connected world facing a number of challenges at this time that affect all of us, Predator Free projects provide local opportunities for New Zealanders to rally around and derive a sense of place-based purpose, facilitating personal replenishment from protecting and engaging with our unique biodiversity.”
Conflict of interest statement: “James works for Zero Invasive Predators Ltd and is a member of the working group for Te Rōpū Auaha – Enabling Innovation for Predator Free.”
Dr Rachael Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, comments:
“Our research in the reserves surrounding Zealandia is providing mounting evidence that predation by cats, and most likely by pet cats, is preventing vulnerable native birds such as toutouwai (North Island robins) from spreading into our cities. If we plan on becoming a truly ‘predator-free’ city, we will need to be open to trialling a new approach to our relationship with our companion cats, that also leaves room for vulnerable wildlife to live in the city.”
Conflict of interest statement: “I have no known conflicts.”
Dr Brendon Blue, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, comments:
“The announcement of specific funding for Predator Free Wellington gets me thinking about four key things:
“1) As Predator Free 2050 was getting up and running, a lot of folks I talked to thought getting rats out of cities would be the greatest challenge. The decision to focus on Wellington in today’s announcement suggests the opposite might be true: that the places where people live, and feel closely connected to, might actually be where change is easiest.
“2) This reminds us that conservation, and better environmental decision-making, can happen all around us: not just in the spaces we separate off for conservation. If we can do things a little better everywhere, even in our cities, it makes a difference.
“3) The absence of new government funding beyond Wellington makes me question the commitment to Predator Free 2050, and to addressing environmental issues more broadly.
“4) It also highlights a more subtle issue: much of the research funding that used to support Predator Free 2050, and conservation efforts more broadly, has recently been cut. The reprioritisation of Marsden funding towards economic benefit, and the discontinuation of the National Science Challenges, risk undermining the long-term prospects for programmes like PF2050. Cuts to social science and humanities research, in particular, undermine the kind of socially-connected conservation that is so fundamental to today’s announcement.”
Conflict of interest statement: “No conflicts of interest.”
Dr Danielle Shanahan, Chief Executive, Zealandia, and Adjunct Professor, Victoria University of Wellington, comments:
“Imagine a future where native birds once again fill the skies of cities across Aotearoa. Today’s investment announcement will go a long way toward securing the hard‑won gains made by Predator Free Wellington—where we now have what may be the world’s first rat‑free urban landscape on the Miramar Peninsula. By strengthening predator control and sharing practical, proven approaches, Wellington is showing what’s possible when communities invest in nature. The result is a safer landscape for native wildlife—not just within the fence at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, but across the city and beyond—helping birds thrive across entire landscapes.
“Predator Free Wellington is an outstanding organisation, developing leading knowledge on how to create nature‑rich cities. The next 20 years will be mission‑critical for reversing the loss of nature in Aotearoa New Zealand. The national Predator Free strategy depends on both technological advancement and strong community cohesion, and it is excellent to see Wellington continuing to lead the way.”
Conflict of interest statement: “None really. Zealandia is in the same city as where the investment is being made. It means our birds might survive a little longer beyond the fence!”