West Coast Divide 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 West Coast Divide TMA

The West Coast Divide TMA covers 167,900 hectares from the Upper Grey River to the Hokitika and Mungo Rivers. The area includes Hochstetter Forest and the catchments of the Haupiri, Waiheke, Tutaekuri, Trent and upper Taramakau Rivers. It also includes the Alexander, Kelly, Aicken, Campbell, Bald, Newton and Toaroha Ranges.

The habitat includes podocarp and beech forests with some patches of scrub, with alpine and subalpine plant types at higher altitudes. Altitudes range from 100 metres to 2000 metres.

History of TB and pest control in West Coast Divide

Recent wildlife surveys confirmed TB in the possum populations in the Waiheke, Haupiri and Upper Taramakau Catchment areas. TB has also been found in wild deer and West Coast strains of TB have shown up in the Canterbury side to the east of this TMA.

We completed aerial possum control in the:

• Upper Aharua South block in 2009
• Alexander Range in 2012
• Taipo East block in 2013
• Hochstetter block in 2014
• Taramakau Valley block in 2016, and
• Otira block in 2022.

We undertook ground-based possum control in:

• the Upper Ahaura and Taramakau blocks in 2019/2020 and 2022/2023
• Taramakau Valley, Upper Ahaura North in 2019/2020 and 2022/2023
• Taramakau Valley in 2021/2022.

Some areas, such as Newton Range and Upper Kokatahi, have had very little or no control.

Current state

As of June 2023, there are no infected herds in the West Coast Divide TMA.

If you're moving animals

The West Coast Divide TMA sits across the Tasman/West Coast Movement Control Area (MCA) and the West Coast Kahurangi Annual 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 West Coast Divide 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.

We will refine proposed boundaries for aerial operations after consulting with landowners and affected parties.

Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations

The proposed areas for ground control are marked in green on the map, and the proposed area for aerial control is marked in yellow.

Interactive map showing West Coast Divide TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.

Contacts

Vector Free Marlborough manages eradication activities in the West Coast Divide 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