Taupō 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 Taupō TMA

The Taupō TMA is directly west of the Taupō urban township. The northern boundary of the TMA is the Waikato River from State Highway 1 to the Taupō township, around the eastern edge of the township, and then south to the edge of Lake Taupō. The eastern boundary of the TMA runs from the lake’s edge, near Waitahanui, to the Kaingaroa Forest, and then northward through parts of the forest, back to the Waikato River.

The habitat includes forestry, farmland and a mountainous area.

History of TB and pest control in Taupō

The Taupō TMA has a long history of TB infection in cattle herds and local wildlife. We found 9 infected cattle herds between 1990 and 2004.

Control in this TMA mostly occurred between 2007 and 2016, but restarted in 2024 after we found 2 infected cattle herds. Most recently we completed aerial and ground control in:

• 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016
• East Taupō (Tauhara) in 2024/2025.

Current state

As of June 2025, there is 1 infected herd in the Taupō TMA.

If you're moving animals

The Taupō TMA sits across the Taupō annual and North Taupō biennial Special Testing Areas. In these areas, cattle over 12 months and deer over 15 months of age are tested annually, or every 2 years, respectively.

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 Taupō 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 2025/2026 pest control operations

The proposed area for ground control is marked on the map in green.

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

Contacts

EPRO Limited manages eradication activities (except those in Sector 3A) in the Taupō TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations. For feedback or questions on Sector 3A activities, contact OSPRI.

EPRO Limited

Phone: 07 378 4852/0800 275 3776

Email: control@epro.co.nz

OSPRI

PO Box 3412

Wellington 6140​

Phone: 06 353 2710

Email: vector.sni@ospri.co.nz