Buller TB Management Area (TMA)

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 Buller TMA

The Buller TMA covers 172,900 hectares north of Reefton, between the northern end of the Paparoa Range and the Victoria Range. The area includes parts of the Buller River catchments and Reefton, Cronadun and Inangahua townships. It also includes the Mackley and New Creek control areas.

The habitat is farmland interspersed with stands of kahikatea, willows, scrub and riparian margins. Altitudes range from several hundred metres up to 1500 metres.

History of TB and pest control in Buller

The Buller TMA has a long history with TB infection in both local wildlife and cattle herds. Past infection in this area dates back to 2009. The most recent case of TB infection was in 2016.

We completed ground-based possum control in the:

• Black's Point block in 2015
• Cronadun, Inangahua, Iron Bridge, Mackley and the New Creek South blocks in 2016/2017 and 2018/2019
• Inangahua and Iron Bridge blocks in 2019/2020
• Inangahua, Mackley and New Creek South blocks in 2020/2021
• Cronadun block in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, and
• Inangahua, Iron Bridge, Mackley and New Creek South blocks in 2022/2023.

We undertook aerial control in the:

• Rahu North and South blocks in 2009
• Inangahua East and Inangahua West blocks in 2011 and 2019, and
• New Creek North block in 2016 and 2020.

Some areas, such as Victoria Forest Park, have had very little or no control.

Current state

As of June 2023, the Buller TMA has no infected herds.

If you're moving animals

The Buller TMA sits across the Tasman/West Coast Movement Control Area (MCA) and the Tasman annual and biennial Special Testing Area (STA). Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm from an MCA, you must have them tested for bovine TB. If you're in an STA, you don't need to do pre-movement testing.

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 the Buller TMA 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.

Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations

The proposed area for aerial control in yellow.

Interactive map showing Buller TMA boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.

Contacts

Vector Free Marlborough manages eradication activities in the Buller TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

Vector Free Marlborough 

Phone: 0508 548 008
Email: communications@vectorfree.co.nz

Nearest local OSPRI office

OSPRI Christchurch Office
PO Box 8674
Riccarton
Christchurch 8440
Phone: 03 363 3090
Email: vectornsi@ospri.co.nz