Whanawhana to Opouahi TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Whanawhana to Opouahi includes ground control.
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.
The Whanawhana to Opouahi TMA
The Whanawhana to Opouahi TMA is a long narrow area located in the Hawke’s Bay region. The Gwavas forest, which includes the Gwavas conservation area, is in the southern section of the TMA, and the Boundary Stream Mainland Island reserve is in the northern section.
The land is mainly easy to medium hill country, with the steep Wakarua Range in the south.
Herds in the TMA are predominantly beef breeding and meat production herds, with a small number of dairy herds. There are also some forestry operations in the Gwavas and Mohaka buffer areas.
History of TB and pest control in Whanawhana to Opouahi
Historically, we have found TB-infected pigs, ferrets and possums in the neighbouring area of Tutaekuri-Waitara. Most recently, we found an infected:
- ferret in Tutaekuri-Waitara in 2020/2021
- pig in Tutaekuri-Waitara in 2021/2022.
Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Hawke's Bay region. However, our monitoring has shown that we need to do further control work in the Whanawhana to Opouahi area to keep the possum population small. 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 possum control in:
- Matahorua West, Mohaka Buffer and Opouahi in 2019/2020
- Mohaka Buffer, Opouahi, Patoka and Rissington North in 2020/2021
- Matahorua West, Mohaka Buffer, Opouahi, Patoka and Rissington North in 2021/2022
- Patoka and Whanawhana in 2022/2023
- Matahorua West, Mohaka Buffer, Opouahi and Rissington North in 2023/2024.
Current state
As of June 2024, there are 2 infected herds in the Whanawhana to Opouahi TMA.
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 Whanawhana to Opouahi 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:
- talk you through the specifics of each operation
- explain what you need to do before the operations start
- get your consent for the work to be done.
| Type of control | When | Coverage | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground control | 2024/2025 | 24,458ha | Mohaka Buffer, Patoka |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Whanawhana to Opouahi TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Better Nature manages eradication activities in the Whanawhana to Opouahi TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Better Nature
Phone: 06 836 5590
Email: admin@betternature.nz
Nearest local OSPRI office
OSPRI Palmerston North office
PO Box 9078
Terrace End
Palmerston North 4441
Phone: 06 353 2710
Email: vector.sni@ospri.co.nz