Morven-Bendigo TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Morven-Bendigo 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 Morven-Bendigo TMA
The Morven-Bendigo TMA covers 81,660 hectares. It includes the western faces of the Dunstan Mountains near Cromwell and extends up the eastern side of the Lindis Pass highway to the Lindis Pass summit.
The habitat is a mixture of tussock and scrub, together with improved farmland that supports both intensive and extensive farming.
History of TB and pest control in Morven-Bendigo
The Morven-Bendigo TMA has a long history of TB infection in cattle herds and local wildlife. TB-infected ferrets and feral pigs have caused frequent infections in herds.
We completed:
- a ferret survey in Tarras in 2015/2016
- ferret surveys in Bendigo, Cluden, Morven and Tarras in 2017/2018
- ferret surveys in Bendigo in 2015/2016, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024
- a pig survey in Morven-Bendigo in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024
- ground control in Cluden, Morven and Tarras in 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025.
We found an infected ferret in 2018.
Current state
As of June 2025, there is 1 infected herd in the Morven-Bendigo 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 Morven-Bendigo 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 | 76,130ha | Bendigo, Cluden, Morven, Tarras |
| Ground control | 2026/2027 | 76,130ha | Bendigo, Cluden, Morven, Tarras |
Map of 2025/2026 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.
Interactive map showing Morven-Bendigo TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.
Contacts
Rentokil Initial manages eradication activities in the Morven-Bendigo 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: vector_ssi@ospri.co.nz