Manuherikia TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Manuherikia 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 Manuherikia TMA
The Manuherikia TMA comprises 250,000 hectares across the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys.
North Rough Ridge forms the eastern boundary and the Dunstan Mountains make up the western boundary. The TMA runs from the Hawkdun range at its northern point down to Alexandra at its southern point.
History of TB and pest control in Manuherikia
TB infection was widespread in the Manuherikia TMA between 1988 and 2011, with 87 infected cattle herds discovered in this period. After 5 years of ground control and 4 years of wildlife surveillance, the TMA was considered TB-free from 2019.
However, a routine test in 2024 confirmed TB in a cattle herd in Saint Bathans. As a result, we restarted ground control in 2025.
Current state
As of January 2025, there is 1 infected herd in the Manuherikia TMA.
If you're moving animals
The Manuherikia TMA is in the Central Otago Annual Special Testing Area. In these areas, cattle over 12 months and deer over 15 months of age are tested annually.
We will also do targeted tests on selected herds.
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 Manuherikia 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 | 70,000ha | Ida Valley, Saint Bathans, Pennyweight Hill |
| Ground control | 2025/2026 | 150,000ha | Chatto Creek, Dunstan Creek, Ida Valley, Pennyweight Hill, Rocky Peak, Saint Bathans, Thomsons Gorge, Upper Manuherikia |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green. (You can zoom in to see the area more clearly.)
Interactive map showing Manuherikia TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Downer NZ Limited manages eradication activities in the Manuherikia TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Downer NZ Limited
Phone: 0508 392 355
Email: biosecurity@downer.co.nz
OSPRI office
PO Box 3412
Wellington 6140
Phone: 0800 482 463
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz