Predator Free 2050 – strategy review for 2030
PFW staff under the Wellington signConsultation on this strategy has now closed. Learn how you can support our work or get in touch with us.
Our project has made remarkable progress in the last five years. We’ve shown how to remove rats, stoats, weasels and possums from a city and hold the line. We have 1,500 hectares (and growing) of predator free city where thousands of Wellingtonians live, work and play. Something like this has never been done before! With our blueprint we’re ready to work with projects across the country to deliver Predator Free 2050.
A five yearly review
The Predator Free 2050 strategy is up for consultation – tell them Wellington’s urban blueprint works!
In this strategy, Goal 5 asks about eradicating predators from major cities. We’re living proof it’s possible. This is your opportunity to highlight Wellington’s remarkable urban success.
Tell them you strongly support this goal and that Predator Free Wellington:
- completed Phase 1 of their project which has seen 91% more native birds detected on Miramar Peninsula
- has created the tested blueprint for urban predator elimination
- has proven how to spread their methods across the rest of the country.
You can also say that 84% of New Zealanders live in urban areas – this is where the greatest impact happens.
Importantly, tell them why you want a predator free Wellington. What does it mean to you?
Here are some extra points:
They’re making great progress
Predator Free Wellington cleared the Miramar Peninsula and is over halfway through Phase 2. They innovated ways to remove rats, weasels, stoats and possums from urban areas and are now using these methods to spread across more of the city. Now they’ve cracked the formula they’re working faster and cheaper.
This urban success shows Predator Free 2050 is possible
New Zealand pioneered island predator eliminations and DOC successfully controls predators on large areas of public conservation land. Thanks to Predator Free Wellington we understand how to remove predators from urban areas. These methods apply to cities (where 84% of New Zealanders live), towns and rural areas of our country. Combined, this shows that a Predator Free New Zealand by 2050 is possible.
Consistent, guaranteed funding is the ‘silver bullet’
This ambitious project has the knowledge and tools to succeed. What it really needs is consistent and guaranteed funding to make it happen.
Wellington on track for a predator free 2030
Predator Free Wellington is on track to make all of Wellington predator free by 2030. Now is the time to back this successful project and lock in the hard-won gains. Already we’ve seen remarkable increases in native wildlife, including 91% more native birds on Miramar Peninsula. Completing the 30,000 hectare project will be an internationally significant project.
Let’s stay the course
Our community recognises the enduring value of a predator free environment. We remain committed to reporting rat sightings. The original vision – complete elimination – should not be watered down to predator ‘control’ or ‘suppression’.
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The target species list
Predator Free Wellington is completely committed to removing rats, weasels, stoats and possums from the entire Wellington area. This consultation also considers updating the target species list (whether to include cats, hedgehogs or mice in the Predator Free 2050 strategy). Any changes to this list are unlikely to change our operations.
Posted: 26 May 2025