Kaikōura TB Management Area (TMA)

Eradicating bovine TB in NZ

As part of our TBfree programme we deliver our pest control operations through a framework of TB management areas (TMAs). TMAs are areas with known TB infection in livestock or wildlife. Each TMA has a specific TB control plan designed to eradicate TB as effectively as possible.

About the TBfree programme

The Kaikōura TMA

Map showing boundaries of Kaikoura TB management area The Kaikōura TMA covers 104,380 hectares along the coast from Conway to Clarence River. The area includes Kaikōura township and Puhi Puhi Valley. The habitat is varied, and includes:

flat, sparsely treed farmland near the township
scrub and native bush areas, at the northern Puhi Puhi Valley end and around Goose Bay
steep hills and mountains inland.

Altitudes range from sea level up to the ridge line of the Seaward Kaikōura Range, with peaks between 1400 and 2300 metres. The lowest pass is approximately 950 metres.

History of TB and pest control in Kaikōura

The Kaikōura TMA has a long history of TB infection in local wildlife and cattle herds. We've found 2 infected herds in the Kowhai Swyncombe area since 2016. We have found 6 TB pigs within the Mt Alexander block. There is a control plan now in place.

Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Canterbury/Marlborough region. However, our monitoring has shown that we need to do further control work in the Kaikōura area to reduce the possum population. This will:

minimise the risk of the disease spreading through wild animal populations into farmed cattle and deer
ensure further good progress towards eradicating TB.

We completed:

aerial control in Kowhai Swyncombe in 2016
ground control in areas of Mt Alexander excluded from aerial treatment in 2024
ground control in Hapuku Buffer and Kowhai Swyncombe in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023
pig surveys in Oaro in 2018/2019, Big Hau and Hapuku Buffer in 2020/2021, and in Mount Alexander in 2021/2022.

Some areas, such as Big Hau, have had little to no control.

Current state

As of June 2024, there are no infected herds in the Kaikōura TMA.

If you're moving animals

The Kaikōura TMA sits across the Marlborough/North Canterbury Movement Control Area (MCA) and the Seaward Kaikōura Annual Special Testing Area (STA). Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm from an MCA, you must have them tested for bovine TB. If you're in an STA, you don't need to do pre-movement testing.

Moving animals from a Movement Control Area (MCA)

Future pest control operations

We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2024 to June 2025.

Dates and control methods for pest control operations in Kaikōura are provisional and subject to change. If you’re affected by any upcoming operations, our pest control contractors will contact you before work begins. They will: