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
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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Newsletters & Events
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How to get started in the group
Historic Blog Post - February 22, 2021
How to get started in the group
Welcome to our first blog post, we are keen to make Waitakere and Swanson Predator Free. Thanks so much for your interest.
You are keen to get involved and help the Native Birds of Waitakeres, here is how you can be part of our little group.
Register with Trap.nz
If you want to share your find numbers with the group, please register with trap.nz and join our groupHEREor search for “Predator Free Swanson / Waitakere”
If you are not a member select “Request to Join Project” at the bottom of the map.
Setting up Traps with Trap.nz
Set up your traps ontrap.nz
Logon to trap.nz select our project “Predator Free Swanson / Waitakere”
Select Traps
Click on “Add a New trap”
You can do this online or use the phone app, the phone app allows you to record catches out in the field.
Trap.NZ have a great article about setting up TrapsHERE
Trap.nz Phone Application
If you have a mobile phone or a tablet the trap.nz FREE application is great for recording your catches and setting up you new traps.
You can get the application forAndroid/GoogleorApple.
What Predators are you going to Target
Decide what pests you are going to target. Each one requires different traps and baits.
Buy some traps for your target pest
Putting Your Traps Out
Bait your Traps
Put them where you know the Predators visit, looks for evidence of droppings or scratches on trees
Checking Your Traps
Next Day – Check Your Traps
Record your results and reset and re-bait the traps.
Go back to Step 1
Join our Newsletter
Events
We’re Proud of our Events
Trapper of the Month
Track the progress of our local trapping network.
View the latest results and learn how the rankings work.
Community powered conservation for Waitakere and Swanson.
