Environmental Action in Biodiversity and Biosecurity Award

Aparima Pestbusters is a volunteer group that undertakes pest control in the Riverton area, particularly in Mores Scenic Reserve. The group’s mission is to maintain habitats of native and endemic flora and fauna in the Aparima area to protect them from introduced pests.

The group has been operating since 2008. Today, the core focus is on possum, rat and feral cat control with a network of 500 bait stations.

This year, 430 bait stations have been replaced and the group has adopted the use of the TrapNZ app to manage the bait stations. Aparima Pestbusters has 20 active volunteers involved in managing bait stations. Last year, they developed and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Southland District Council, which sets out the respective responsibilities of the parties.

The judges were impressed with what the group has achieved and the leadership the group is showing. “They have had a collaborative approach right from the start and the group’s focus has been to bring people on board first, and then tackle the work they want to complete.”