Pest Free Greenhithe

05/10/2026

🌼 Spring has sprung… and so have the rats and possums!
They’re extra active right now and can cause real damage to fruit trees, veggie gardens, and our native wildlife.
If you’d like to keep your garden thriving, we have free traps available for your backyard.
Keen to help out? Flick us a message 🌿💚

16/09/2026

🎉 Stoat success! Huge shout‑out to one of our trappers who’s caught another stoat, this time over in the Kingfisher Reserve area (other side of Greenhithe Peninsula from where the first stoat was caught).
The trap had been sitting quietly on the boundary with no action for ages… and then boom. A great reminder that perseverance pays off and every active trap matters.
This is a massive win for our birds, who are in the middle of bird breeding season, when every predator removed makes a real difference for our tūī, fantails, and other native birds.
If you’ve got a DOC200, keep it checked, refreshed, and inviting. Louis will be at the shed on Wed 23 Sept with rabbit lure if you need a top‑up.
More stoats may be on the move - let’s stay vigilant and protect our breeding birds 🐾💚

14/09/2026

Norway Rat vs Ship Rat - can you tell the difference?
Wildlife biologist Cam Speedy from Predator Free New Zealand Trust has put together a video breaking down the key features of these two rat species - and why it matters for trapping.
Norway rats are strong swimmers, with a shorter, thicker tail (about 40% of their body length). That fat tail acts like a rudder in the water. They're more likely to scout around on the ground, targeting ground-dwelling birds, invertebrates and īnanga eggs.
Ship rats have a smaller body and a longer tail (around 60% of their length). Their tail works like a rope, helping them climb high into the canopy where they can reach bird nests, lizards, and insects.
Think you can spot the difference?
👉 Check out Cam’s video for the full comparison.

Ship rats and Norway rats are very different creatures. In this sho...

07/09/2026

Trapping kit essentials — are you set up for success?
Predator Free New Zealand Trust has put together a super handy list of 7 tools they recommend for every trapper, including a lure guard to stop mice pinching your lure. Some other favourites:
🧦 Old socks to safely test your trap
🪥 A wire toothbrush to keep everything clean
🍳Cooking spray to keep traps running smoothly
🔧A speed wrench for faster DOC 200 access
And yes a pair of kitchen tongs are a must for safe handling.
👉 Check out the link for the full list and practical tips.

Beyond the usual gloves, lure, and screwdriver, these trap accessories will help keep your traps rust-free, your gear easier to carry, and your lure safe.

03/09/2026

🔥 August Pest Animal Control Success - 179 pests gone
Our traplines were busy this month:
149 rats
16 mice
12 possums
1 hedgehog
1 female stoat - a major catch!
Removing 179 pests gives our native birds a great advantage during breeding season. This is exactly why community trapping matters.
Keep those traps fresh, checked, and ready — together we’re protecting Greenhithe’s wildlife 💚

31/08/2026

📅 End of Month Pulse Reminder A quick check of your bait stations this week helps keep rat numbers down as we head into spring. Pulsing (top ups through the month, then removing bait at the end) keeps bait effective and reduces risk to non target species. Every small action supports our local biodiversity - thank you for being part of the solution. 💚

27/08/2026

We've caught a female stoat! Finally, a big win! This is the first one recorded in Greenhithe this year, following multiple sightings. This stoat was caught in one of the new traps installed a couple of months ago, thanks to funding from Upper Harbour Local Board and Auckland Biodiversity /Auckland Council. 🎉🥳

27/08/2026

And this is why we do it… 💚
Kererū everywhere today while Louis was out refreshing lures in the traps! 🕊️✨
Healthy ngahere, thriving manu, and a community that cares - magic combo.

27/08/2026

Kererū sightings galore today - and not just flying past, but feeding from native plants 🌿✨
While Louis refreshed lures across the trapline, the ngahere showed us exactly why this work matters. 🕊️💚

24/08/2026

Louis was stoked to see heaps of taraire seedlings popping up in the Kererū Reserve last week while he was out servicing the traps! 🌱✨

It’s an awesome sign that possum control is working and that kererū are feeding in the area. Kererū are the only widespread native bird capable of swallowing and dispersing large fruits like taraire. They carry the seeds away from parent trees, giving them a much better chance of germinating and thriving. More kererū activity = more taraire regeneration = a healthier ngahere. 🕊️🌳

Huge thanks to our Pest Free Greenhithe trappers & funders who've helped provide and maintain the traps. Your mahi is directly supporting outcomes like this. Every trap check truly counts. 💚🕊️🌳
Upper Harbour Local Board Upper Waitematā Ecology Network Auckland Parks Greenhithe Community Trust