Central Wairarapa 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 Central Wairarapa TMA

The boundary of the Central Wairarapa TMA is set by local geographical features.

• The northern boundary is the Waiohine River, just north of Greytown.
• The southern boundary is Palliser Bay.
• The eastern boundary is Aorangi Range — the east coast hill country.
• The western boundary is the Southern Tararua and Remutaka Ranges.

The habitat is scattered except for the shrubland and bush on the foothills of the Tararua, Remutaka and Aorangi Ranges. Land use is predominantly agricultural, with some horticulture near Greytown, and viticulture around Martinborough.

Farms in the Central Wairarapa TMA are mainly sheep and beef farms. There are dairy herds in the high productive areas, close to Lake Wairarapa, and under the ranges and lifestyle farms clustering closer to the towns.

History of TB and pest control in Central Wairarapa

The Central Wairarapa TMA has a long history of TB infection in cattle and deer herds, and local wildlife. The number of infected herds was high in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Central Wairarapa TMA. However, parts of the TMA are close to areas where TB is present, so we need to do further control work. This will:

• minimise the risk of the disease spreading through wild animal populations into farmed cattle and deer
• ensure further good progress towards eradicating TB.

Infection in central areas of this TMA has been under control for 10 years or more. We've staggered control, with 2 to 3 years between ground control operations. More recently, we completed ground control operations in Featherston, Waiorongomai and Woodside in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

We completed aerial control in Kahutara Pirinoa in 2022.

Current state

As of June 2025, there are no infected herds in the Central Wairarapa 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 Central Wairarapa 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 areas for ground control are marked on the map in green.

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

Contacts

Better Nature manages eradication activities in the Central Wairarapa TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

Better Nature

Phone: 06 836 5590

Email: admin@betternature.nz

OSPRI

PO Box 3412

Wellington 6140​

Phone: 06 353 2710

Email: vector.sni@ospri.co.nz