Taihape TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Taihape 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 Taihape TMA
The western boundary of the Taihape TMA is State Highway 1, between Taihape and Waiouru. The eastern boundary is the Rangitikei River.
The area is predominantly pastoral, except for the Hihitahi area, which includes the Department of Conservation Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary, and another large area of bush. The Taihape Buffer North area is relatively clear of habitat. The topography varies from rolling hills to steep hill country, with some very steep areas beside rivers and streams.
Herds in the Taihape TMA are primarily beef breeding and meat production herds.
History of TB and pest control in Taihape
The Taihape TMA has historically acted as a buffer zone to prevent the spread of TB-infected wildlife from areas in the Central North Island.
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 Taihape 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 last completed:
- aerial control in Hihitahi in 2017
- ground control in the rest of the TMA in 2017/2018.
Current state
As of June 2024, there are no infected herds in the Taihape 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 Taihape 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 | 18,736ha | Hihitahi North, Taihape Buffer North |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Taihape TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Contractor to be confirmed.
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