Balancing the local environment is bringing back our native species like the puteketeke

Predator Free Cromwell

Community - Environment - Balance

Predator Free Cromwell is a volunteer-led community initiative, progressing the key theme expressed by our community in the Community Plan to ‘protect our environment and lifestyle’.

Why does a ‘Predator Free’ initiative matter to the Cromwell district?

  • A number of native species in the wider Cromwell district are endangered or ‘at risk’.

  • Both verbal reports and video footage show the ability for our native species to recover is being hindered by introduced predators, including rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels and possums. Hedgehogs and feral felines also pose a significant threat.

  • If we do nothing, we lose everything. Predator numbers will continue to rise, further endangering our local native species and harming our fragile ecosystems.

PREDATOR FREE CROMWELL GOALS:

Educate

  • Increase environmental awareness and understanding

  • Be a hub for local environmental education, information and resources

Protect

  • Design and undertake initiatives to protect our local native flora and fauna

  • Support the efforts of local environmental groups

Restore

  • Restore environmental balance and health

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BOOKED ON A TRAINING OR JOINING AN ACTIVITY?

BORROWING TRAPS FROM OUR TRAP LIBRARY?

Click here to read the Hazard Register

Click here to access your Health & Safety Plan

Our Current Projects

  • Growing Kaitiakitanga

    Launched on September 1, 2025 and funded by the Otago Regional Council’s Ecofund, ‘Growing Kaitiakitanga’ is an exciting, whole community learning and action initiative. There’s something for everyone - no matter what age or interest.

    FIND OUT MORE


    Image credit: Mary Hinsen, PFC

    Growing Kaitiakitanga project outline

  • eRATication

    Yes … the predator we love to hate! This one’s having fantail for dinner.
    Cromwell’s ‘eRATication’ project, supported by Predator Free NZ, helps us discover more about rats, their numbers, habits and their impact here - and do something about it.

    FIND OUT MORE


    Image credit: David Mudge, DoC

    eRATication project outline

  • Trap Library

    We get numerous calls from people wanting to know what to do about a possum, stoat, ferret or other predator problem! We are building a ‘Trap Library’, with traps and other resources, and training those who want to evict predator pests from their property.

    CONTACT THE TRAP LIBRARY


    Image credit: Mary Hinsen, PFC

    Predator trap training in Cromwell