Mount Cargill TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Mount Cargill 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 Mount Cargill TMA
The Mount Cargill TMA covers 12,450 hectares, and is located on the flanks of Mount Cargill near Dunedin. It extends to State Highway 1 in the west and Otago Harbour in the east, with the northern boundary consisting of farmland. Dunedin City is the main southern boundary.
The habitat consists of areas of native bush, pine forest and farmland.
History of TB and pest control in Mount Cargill
The Mount Cargill TMA has a long history of TB infection. We found:
- 5 infected herds in 2015/2016
- 3 infected herds in 2017/2018.
Initial investigations suggested the infections came from wildlife. Following wildlife surveillance, we found TB in a cluster of possums on or next to the properties with the infected herds. The area subsequently became part of the Otago Vector Risk Area and extensive possum control operations began.
We completed ground control in:
- Flagstaff in 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021
- Heyward and Mount Cargill in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021
- Mount Cargill in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
We also completed a ferret survey in Mount Cargill in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
Current state
As of June 2024, there are no infected herds in the Mount Cargill 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 Mount Cargill 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 | 2000ha | Mount Cargill |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Mount Cargill TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Rentokil Initial manages eradication activities in the Mount Cargill TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Rentokil Initial
Phone: 0508 767 786
Email: kuran.ireland@rentokil-initial.com
OSPRI office
PO Box 3412
Wellington 6140
Phone: 0800 482 463
Email: vector_ssi@ospri.co.nz