Protecting Our Native Birds from Predators
The People Behind Predator Free Waitākere / Swanson
Our Mission
We’re restoring native birdlife by removing invasive predators from backyards, bush blocks and urban areas across Waitākere and Swanson. Together we’re building a safer future for native wildlife. Every trap placed and every catch logged helps restore the health of our forests and protect species like tūī, kererū and ruru.
How It Works
We provide subsidised traps, setup guidance and a simple way to log catches through trap.nz. Whether you’re new to trapping or already active, we help you make a real impact from your own property. It’s easy to start and every effort counts
Community Support
You’re part of a connected local network. Our team offers setup help, trapping tips and ongoing advice to keep you on track. We celebrate progress through Trapper of the Month and share updates that show how the whole community is making a difference
Get Involved
Join the project and start trapping. Even one trap makes a difference. Sign up on trap.nz, fill out our form and we’ll help you get started with the right gear and support. Every catch logged helps track progress and protect native species.
About the people involved
Protecting Native Wildlife Starts with our Locals
Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson was started in August 2020 by a handful of enthusiastic locals with a passion to encourage others about the importance of Predator Control.
Founding Members - Greg Hoskins, Gary Fawcett, Stefan Marks...
The dedication and groundwork made this group a reality and paved the way for other likeminded individuals to continue the very important mission of a Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson.
The people Behind the Name
Meet Our Committee
Andy Gough
Jennifer Blankley
Fiona Lagae
Jacob Drayton
Fred Lagae
Mark Dronjak
Elmire De Courcy Lys
Tim Lawton
Interested in Joining the Committee or being more involved?
Send us a Email
Our Local heros
Members of Note
Gary Fawcett
Group Co-ordinator
Gary Fawcett is the perfect man for the avocation and action of a predator free community, Gary brought both the technical knowledge and a hands-on passion to the group.
It was with Gary's effort that the little start up group went digital, creating a website, running social media pages, newsletter automations and a long list of other digital behind the scenes 'things' that most people would never understand, or think of.
Managing a website, Networking for the group, Delivering traps, Giving advice to locals, while always remembering to check his traps.
For the time Gary gave to the Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson group, the knowledge, the mahi, we thank him for his service to our local bird life and to our township.
Joshua Hall
Partnerships Manager
With his own local business growing award winning dahlias Joshua Hall, affectionately referred to as 'Flower Boy' brought his passion for horticulture and supporting local to the group to again rise the Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson group to a higher standard. Fostering collaborative relationships between our locals to encourage working together. Joshua helped bring the overwhelmingly large predator issue to a more realistic level and helped encourage our locals and local businesses that trapping starts in your own backyard and whether it's to protect yourself, your house, your garden or the birds visiting, that trapping for whatever reason has benefits in all aspects of our lives and we can all do our bit to take part.
Community powered conservation for Waitakere and Swanson.
