Kaikōura TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Kaikōura includes ground control and aerial 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 Kaikōura TMA
The Kaikōura TMA covers 104,380 hectares along the coast from Conway to Clarence River. The area includes Kaikōura township and Puhi Puhi Valley. The habitat is varied, and includes:
- flat, sparsely treed farmland near the township
- scrub and native bush areas, at the northern Puhi Puhi Valley end and around Goose Bay
- steep hills and mountains inland.
Altitudes range from sea level up to the ridge line of the Seaward Kaikōura Range, with peaks between 1400 and 2300 metres. The lowest pass is approximately 950 metres.
History of TB and pest control in Kaikōura
The Kaikōura TMA has a long history of TB infection in local wildlife and cattle herds. We've found 2 infected herds in the Kowhai Swyncombe area since 2016. We have found 6 TB pigs within the Mt Alexander block. There is a control plan now in place.
Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Canterbury/Marlborough region. However, our monitoring has shown that we need to do further control work in the Kaikōura area to reduce the possum population. This will:
- minimise the risk of the disease spreading through wild animal populations into farmed cattle and deer
- ensure further good progress towards eradicating TB.
We completed:
- ground-based possum control in the Hapuku Buffer and Kowhai Swyncombe areas in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.
- aerial possum control in the Kowhai Swyncombe block in 2016, and
- pig surveys in Mount Alexander in 2021/2022, the Big Hau and Hapuku Buffer blocks in 2020/2021, and in the Oaro block in 2018/2019.
Some areas, such as Big Hau, have had little to no control.
Current state
As of June 2023, there are no infected herds in the Kaikōura TMA.
If you're moving animals
The Kaikōura TMA is in the Marlborough/North Canterbury Movement Control Area. Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm, you must have them tested for bovine TB.
Future pest control operations
We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2023 to June 2024.
Dates and control methods for pest control operations in Kaikōura 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 | 2023/2024 | 61,000ha | Hapuku Buffer, Kowhai Swyncombe and Mt Alexander |
| Aerial control | 2024/2025 | 12,000ha | Mt Alexander |
Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green and aerial control in yellow.
Interactive map showing Kaikoura TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Excell Biosecurity manages ground-based eradication activities in the Kaikoura TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations. We haven't procured a contractor for aerial-based activities in Mt Alexander yet.
Excell Biosecurity
Phone: 0508 392 355
Email: nsi.excell@excell.co.nz
Nearest local OSPRI office
OSPRI Christchurch Office
PO Box 8674
Riccarton
Christchurch 8440
Phone: 03 363 3090
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz