South Canterbury South TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for South Canterbury South includes ground control.
Eradicating bovine TB in NZ
As part of our TBfree programme we deliver our pest control operations through a framework of TB management areas (TMAs). TMAs are areas with known TB infection in livestock or wildlife. Each TMA has a specific TB control plan designed to eradicate TB as effectively as possible.
The South Canterbury South TMA
The South Canterbury South TMA covers 165,895 hectares between the catchment lakes of the Waitaki River and the Hawkdun Range. Omarama forms the northern border and Otekaieke river runs along the south-eastern border.
The habitat comprises undulating high-country land to steeper slopes, and faces onto sub-alpine areas throughout. Cover consists of scrub, matagouri patches and native beech forest. Tracts of high-country tussock are interspersed with scree and bluff systems.
History of TB and pest control in South Canterbury South
TB infection was widespread in the South Canterbury South TMA between 1989 and 2012. After 10 years of ground control and wildlife surveillance, the TMA was considered TB-free from 2018.
However, in 2023 we found an infected ferret at Cuthbert Range, and an infected pig. As a result, we restarted ground control in 2025.
We last completed ground control in:
- Otekaieke, Cuthbert Range North, Cuthbert Range South and Manuka Creek in 2016/2017
- Clear Stream 1 in 2017/2018.
We last completed:
- a ferret survey in Otekaieke in 2017/2018
- ferret surveys in Cuthbert Range North, Cuthbert Range South and Manuka Creek in 2023/2024
- a pig survey in Otekaieke in 2017/2018
- pig surveys in South Canterbury South in 2023/2024.
Current state
As of June 2025, there are no infected herds in the South Canterbury South TMA.
Future pest control operations
We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2025 to June 2026.
Dates and control methods for pest control operations in South Canterbury South are provisional and subject to change. If you’re affected by any upcoming operations, our pest control contractors will contact you before work begins. They will:
- talk you through the specifics of each operation
- explain what you need to do before the operations start
- get your consent for the work to be done.
| Type of control | When | Coverage | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground control | 2025/2026 | 48,195ha | Clear Stream, Cuthbert Range |
| Ground control | 2026/2027 | 48,195ha | Clear Stream, Cuthbert Range |
Map of 2025/2026 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing South Canterbury South TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Rentokil Initial manages eradication activities in the South Canterbury South TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.
Rentokil Initial
Phone: 0508 767 786
Email: kuran.ireland@rentokil-initial.com
OSPRI
PO Box 3412
Wellington 6140
Phone: 0800 482 463
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz