Morven-Bendigo TB Management Area (TMA)
Pest control work planned for Morven-Bendigo includes ground control and wildlife surveillance.
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 wildlife and cattle herds. Ferrets and feral pigs are widely distributed and infection has been common. This has led to frequent infections in herds.
We carried out ground control in Cluden, Morven and Tarras in 2021/2022 and 2023/2024.
We completed ferret surveys in:
- Bendigo and Tarras in 2015/2016, and
- Bendigo, Cluden, Morven and Tarras in 2017/2018.
An infected ferret was found in 2018.
We also undertook a pig survey in Morven and Bendigo in 2017/2018.
Current state
As of June 2023, there are 2 infected herds 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 2023 to June 2024.
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 | 2023/2024 | 59,400ha | Cluden, Morven, Tarras |
| Ground control | 2024/2025 | 59,400ha | Cluden, Morven, Tarras |
| Pig survey | 2023/2024 | 49,000ha | Morven, Bendigo |
| Ferret survey | 2023/2024 | 10,700ha | Bendigo |
Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations
The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green and wildlife surveillance in blue.
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: info@highcountrycontracting.co.nz
Nearest local OSPRI office
OSPRI Dunedin office
PO Box 5745
Moray Place
Dunedin 9058
Phone: 03 477 9829
Email: cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz