Hokitika Waitaha TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Hokitika Waitaha 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.
Hokitika Waitaha TMA
The Hokitika Waitaha TMA covers 61,270 hectares south of the Hokitika River, between the Main Divide and the coast. The area includes the Ross township, Rangitoto, Purcell and Bonar Ranges and the Waitaha Valley. It also includes the Mikonui, Kakapotahi and Waitaha River catchments.
The habitat is mixed farmland, coastal pakihi wetlands and podocarp forest. Altitudes range from sea level to 1000 metres.
History of TB and pest control in Hokitika Waitaha
The Hokitika Waitaha TMA has a history of TB infection in local wildlife and cattle herds. Direct contact with TB-infected possums led to infected cattle herds in recent years.
We completed aerial possum control in the Mikonui North and South areas in 2018.
We completed ground-based possum control in:
- Waitaha and Mikonui-Totara in 2019/2020 and 2021/2022
- Waitaha in 2020/2021 and 2023/2024.
Current state
As of June 2024, there are no infected herds in the Hokitika Waitaha TMA.
If you're moving animals
The Hokitika Waitaha TMA is in the Tasman/West Coast 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 Hokitika Waitaha 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 | 17,300ha | Mikonui-Totara Valley, Waitaha |
| Ground control | 2025/2026 | 8,200ha | Mikonui Totara Valley |
Map of 2024/2025 pest control operations
The proposed areas for ground control are marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Hokitika Waitaha TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Rentokil Initial (trading as Vector Free Marlborough) manages eradication activities in the Hokitika Waitaha TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Vector Free Marlborough
Phone: 0508 548 008
Email: vfm.communication-nz@rentokil-initial.com
Nearest local OSPRI office
OSPRI Christchurch office
PO Box 8674
Riccarton
Christchurch 8440
Phone: 03 363 3090
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz