Towards Predator-Free Taranaki has eradicated 3500 possums between the Timaru Stream and the Hangatāhua (Stony) River since 2023. Photo: Towards Predator-Free Taranaki / supplied
Rats, stoats and possums are being culled across hundreds of thousands of hectares, and the predator free by 2050 goal remains in sight.
But what will the next phase of the project look like, as harder to reach areas are tackled, technology improves and funding becomes more difficult to secure.
So far 757,000 hectares of land is covered by 18 projects overseen by Predator Free 2050 Limited - the Crown-owned company set up to deliver the 2050 goal.
More than 100,000 hectares have been completely cleared of predators, including on Wellington's Miramar peninsula, with 71 percent more native birds counted in the country's capital in 2023 compared to 2018.
Rob Forlong is the chief executive of Predator Free 2050 Limited, Al Bramley is the chief executive of Zero Invasive Predators and Brent Beaven is Department of Conservation Predator Free 2050 Manager.
