Remutaka-Hutt 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 Remutaka-Hutt TMA

The Remutaka-Hutt TMA runs from Kaitoke in the north, to Pencarrow Head, Baring Head and Turakirae Head in the south. Most of the western boundary is the Hutt River. In the east, much of the boundary is the eastern boundary of the Remutaka Forest Park.

On the eastern side of the TMA are the bush-covered hills and mountains of the Remutaka Range. The urban populations of Hutt City and Upper Hutt City are in the west of the TMA, on the edges of the shrub and gorse-covered Eastern Hutt hills. Mangaroa Valley, Whiteman’s Valley and Moores Valley are all included in the TMA.

History of TB and pest control in Remutaka-Hutt

The Remutaka-Hutt TMA has a history of TB in cattle herds since the 1980s. The highest number of infected herds was in the Mangaroa and Kaitoke areas. We've found infected wildlife in, or very close to, all parts of the TMA.

Since 1996, we've caught:

• 31 infected possums
• 9 infected pigs.

Previous possum control and livestock disease management has reduced the number of infected herds in the Wellington region. However, our monitoring has shown that we need to do further control work in the Remutaka-Hutt area to reduce the possum population. 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.

We completed aerial control in:

• Mangaroa Kaitoke in 2019, and
• Orongorongo in 2018 and 2022.

We completed ground control in:

• Mangaroa Kaitoke, Orongorongo and Wainuiomata South in 2019/2020 and 2021/2022.

Some areas, such as Hutt Valley, Orongorongo, Moores Valley and Wainuiomata South, have had very little control in recent years.

Current state

As of June 2023, no infected herds are in the Remutaka-Hutt TMA.

If you're moving animals

The Remutaka-Hutt TMA is in the Wellington Movement Control Area. Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm, you must have them tested for bovine TB.

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 Remutaka-Hutt 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 areas for aerial control are marked on the map in yellow.

Interactive map showing Remutaka-Hutt TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas

Contacts

EcoFX manages eradication activities in the Remutaka-Hutt TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

EcoFX

Phone: 07 873 8130
Email: admin@ecofx.co.nz

Nearest local OSPRI office

OSPRI Palmerston North office
PO Box 9078
Terrace End
Palmerston North 4441
Phone: 06 353 2710
Email: vector.sni@ospri.co.nz