Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Towards Predator-Free Taranaki

There’s something special happening in Taranaki that’s not only bringing back the birds, it’s transforming the region.

Launched in 2018, the Taranaki Regional Council-led Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Towards Predator-Free Taranaki is a large-scale project aiming to restore the region’s unique wildlife and plants and protect lifestyles and livelihoods by removing introduced predators.

To some, it seemed a lofty goal. But thanks to a community that shared the vision, it’s already making an impact.

Kiwi footprints have been seen at Pukeiti for the first time in 20 years. Toutouwai (North Island robin) have been spotted there and at Lake Mangamahoe after an absence of more than 100 years. Whio are starting to spill out of Te Papakura o Taranaki (the national park) down rivers through farm land. And thrilled locals are reporting an increase in native birds visiting their gardens, farms and parks.

It’s been a true team effort – from the city-dweller with a single rat trap in their backyard to the farmer maintaining a network of stoat traps to the volunteer checking traps on their weekly walk.

5:09      filmed in 2020                                                                                                                                                                                              30/10/23