Protecting Our Native Birds from Predators

Welcome to Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson

Traps

Easy to use traps that help you target rats, possums and mustelids. We guide you through setup so you can start protecting native wildlife with confidence

Community

Join a local network of people working together to protect native birds. Every household that takes part strengthens the health of our forests and wildlife.

Equipment

We supply proven field tested gear that is built to last. From bait stations to trap boxes, everything is selected for reliability, safety and ease of use.

Support

You are never on your own. Our team offers setup help, trapping tips and ongoing advice to make sure your efforts are successful and sustainable

About Predator Free Waitakere/Swanson

Protecting Our Native Birds from Predators

Predator Free Waitakere Swanson is a grassroots conservation group working to restore native birdlife by removing invasive predators. Since 2020 we have helped locals trap thousands of rats, possums and mustelids. These species threaten our forests, birds and ecosystems.

We provide subsidised traps, expert advice and a community platform where every catch counts. Whether you are a seasoned trapper or just starting out, we help you make a real difference. Together we are building a safer future for tui, kereru and all the native species that call this place home.

It’s up to our locals to make a difference and adopt a large-scale predator free initiative, starting in their own backyards. We hope to encourage and bring our community together with the common goal of protecting, restoring and safeguarding Waitākere’s unique species for our families and future.

Our Groups main focus is increased awareness and to encourage trapping on private land. We place a high importance on our locals to get involved and put in the mahi and begin trapping themselves. More active trappers provided with the right tools to protect the native wildlife in such a massive area.

Whatever the reason to get involved it is with Community and Collaborative effort we can reduce the introduced and invasive species and help make Predator Free by 2050, a very reachable goal with many hands

Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson is managed completely by locals volunteering within the community giving their personal time, knowledge, sweat and tears into this project, all brought together by a range of motivations to achieve a common goal.

whether it be to:

  • Bring more natives to their backyard and enjoy a personal bird sanctuary

  • Reducing personal garden and home destruction, veges dug out and eaten, cables and walls damaged by pests moving in to your home (saving on repair costs)

  • Give back to the community or put yourself out there as a way to meet new people in the area

  • Keeping your family safe from diseases and contaminated food spread by rodents

  • Looking out for your pets, putting a stop to egg and feed stealers in your chook pen, flea infestations

  • Learn together and bond with your children and family

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Ronald Richards

Founder CEO

How To Support Us

Donate Traps to us Via Forest and Birds - Give a Trap

Use this platform to support Predator Free Waitakere/ Swanson. Give a trap to our group and they organize the supply and delivery of the trap directly to us. Once we have received your gift, we will put it to work helping our birds. Find out more on the Forest and Bird website.

Buy Our Traps and Join Our Projects

Buy traps from us to help our group grow, not only are our traps subsidized to our local trappers but all funds go into furthering our goals and giving back to the community. Dont want to purchase a trap but still help out,You can also donate directly to us via the shop.

Show your support to everyone while you're out and about and Buy Our Merch

Locally designed just for us by our talented drawmedave these logos represent our group with a proud westie humor that's sure to catch eyes and be a conservation starter for the predator free movement.

Want to volunteer your time or get involved in other ways?

Share your ideas, feedback or express interest in wanting to be more involved with us.

Contact us,
We would love to hear from you!

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