Ruapehu 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 Ruapehu TMA

The Ruapehu TMA is on the western and southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. It runs around the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, loosely following the alpine/bush line at an altitude of 1500 metres. The Pokaka and Horopito settlements are within the TMA, and the townships of Ōhakune, Rangataua and Waiouru are on the edge of its boundary.

The largest components of the habitat in Ruapehu are the southern sections of Tongariro National Park, and the pine plantations in the south-east. Farmland occupies the low-lying areas not included in the native bush or pine forest. A few dairy, beef breeding, meat production and deer breeding herds exist in the TMA.

History of TB and pest control in Ruapehu

Historically, the number of TB-infected cattle herds in the Ruapehu TMA has been small. We have found TB-infected herds in the Orautoha and Horopito areas.

Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. However, our monitoring has shown that we need to do further control work in the Ruapehu 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:

Orautoha, Ruapehu West and Ruapehu South in 2016
Horopito, Ruapehu South and Ruapehu North in 2019.

We completed ground control in Horopito, Orautoha North, and Ruapehu South in 2019/2020.

Current state

As of June 2024, there are no infected herds in the Ruapehu 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 Ruapehu 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: