Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Molesworth/Clarence Reserve 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 Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA
The Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA covers 159,510 hectares west of the southern end of the Inland Kaikoura Range. It includes:
- part of Molesworth Station
- the west side of the Clarence Reserve, and
- the Upper Awatere area.
The habitat is dry grassland interspersed with patches of scrub and bush. Altitudes range from 500 to 2200 metres.
History of TB and pest control in Molesworth/Clarence Reserve
The Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA has a long history of TB infection in local wildlife and cattle herds. We found TB-infected possums, ferrets, pigs and deer in 2018 and most recently in 2023.
We completed ground control in:
- Upper Awatere Molesworth in 2017/2018
- Upper Awatere and Upper Awatere Molesworth in 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2022/2023
- the aerial exclusion areas in the Molesworth and Bush Gully Vector Control Zones in 2024.
We completed aerial control in:
- Upper Awatere in 2012/2013
- Molesworth in 2017, 2021 and 2023.
We completed a ferret survey in Upper Awatere in 2015.
Current state
As of June 2024, there is 1 infected herd in the Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA.
If you're moving animals
The Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA is in the Marlborough/North Canterbury Movement Control Area. Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm, you must have them tested for bovine TB.
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 Molesworth/Clarence Reserve 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 | 32,000ha | Upper Awatere, Upper Awatere Molesworth, Molesworth |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed areas for ground control are marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Downer NZ Ltd manages eradication activities in the Molesworth/Clarence Reserve TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Downer NZ Ltd
Phone: 0508 392 355
Email: biosecurity@downer.co.nz
Nearest local OSPRI office
OSPRI Christchurch Office
PO Box 8674
Riccarton
Christchurch 8440
Phone: 03 363 3090
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz