TVDA actively traps Predators

Conservation is, and has always been, a key part of all that we do at Thames Valley Deerstalkers and our predator trapping programme is an outstanding example of this.

We work in partnership with the Hauraki Rail Trail as the “custodians” of this public land where we have over 500 traps in place.  This work has seen outstanding results in the way of kill returns and along with this, has provided a much-improved experience for trail users with the increase in birdlife, etc.

Our overall trapping programme also extends to another 500 plus traps that are on various private properties and farmland that, in most cases, have excellent stands of native bush or bound onto DOC land, as well as recognised Wetland areas. 

In addition to the traps above, we also monitor traps for DOC in the Kauaeranga Valley.

All of this has only been made possible through the amazing work of dedicated volunteer members and friends of TVDA over the last 15 years.  Our special thanks to them all.  If you are on the trail or out and about and see these “conservation gems”  doing their work, please say gidday and ask them how it’s going.

The table below shows approximate hours and kilometres that have been spent on the traplines in the previous 12 months.  Using Government volunteer and mileage rates to place a value onto the work done by our Trapping Team, we achieve a significant volunteer value of $23,952.00!​

Activity	Description	Total	Govt Rate	Contribution value
Volunteer Time	Checking traps, laying new lines, safety briefings, teaching new trappers	560 hours/pa	$33.00	$18,480.00
Kilometres travelled	Travel/running costs (all donated)	5,760 kms/pa	$0.95/km	$5,472.00

Year	No. of Traps	Total Pests
2026 (to date)	754	1,383
2025	716	1,086
2024	668	1,665

​​
​Contact: Brian Neilson - Programme Co-ordinator

Similarly, if you are keen to help monitor and check traps and become part of the TVDA volunteer trapping team, please send us an email on [email protected]
Or contact Brian - ​027-891-0958

Predator Pest and Small Game:

Firth of Thames

72 traps - Pipiroa to Kaiaua
​

Rats	36
Mustelids	45
Hedgehogs	12
Other	9
TOTAL	​102

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
Possums
TOTAL

Terry Line

58 traps - Swinging Bridge to Billy Goat track
​

Rats	48
Mustelids	9
Hedgehogs	2
Other
​TOTAL	​59

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL	Value

Te Aroha 3

20 traps - Mangaiti Hall to Sewerage Ponds
​Established October 2025

Rats	8
Mustelids	12
Hedgehogs	12
Other
TOTAL	​32

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

TVDA Clubrooms

12 traps - Splashed about
​

Rats	14
Mustelids	8
Hedgehogs	6
Other	4
TOTAL	32

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL

Kopu Line 2 (HRT)

34 traps - Kopu to Puriri
​

Rats	25
Mustelids	19
Hedgehogs	41
Other	4
TOTAL	​89

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Maritime Park

8 traps - Spread Eagled
​Established October 2025

Rats	40
Mustelids	7
Hedgehogs	2
Other	1
TOTAL	​48

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

TVDA Reservoir Road

40 traps - Reservoir Road
​Established September 2026

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other	Value
TOTAL	​

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Waikino Line (HRT)

36 traps - Waterfall to Tunnel Bridge
​

Rats	80
Mustelids	8
Hedgehogs	1
Other	2
​TOTAL	​91

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other

Te Aroha 1 (HRT)

94 traps - High School to Swamp Road
​

Rats	39
Mustelids	6
Hedgehogs	40
Other	2
​TOTAL	​87

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Hubbard Road (HRT)

112 traps - Hubbard Road to Ferry Road
​

Rats	66
Mustelids	13
Hedgehogs	105
Other	13
TOTAL	​197

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Rotokohu Line (HRT)

48 traps - Ngahutoitoi Rd Marae to Karangahake
​

Rats	30
Mustelids	4
Hedgehogs	37
Other	2
TOTAL	​73

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Private Land Owner 1 (WB)

40 traps - Here, there and everywhere
​Established March 2026

Rats	17
Mustelids	5
Hedgehogs	4
Other
TOTAL	​26

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Paeroa Golf Club

24 traps - Trapped in one!
Established April 2026

Rats	71
Mustelids	3
Hedgehogs	9
Other
TOTAL	83

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL

Kauaeranga Valley (DOC)

60 traps - Road from DOC centre to end
​

Rats	209
Mustelids	10
Hedgehogs	2
Other	3
TOTAL	224​

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other

Te Aroha 2 (HRT)

 70 traps - Swamp Road to Mangaiti Hall
​

Rats	44
Mustelids	13
Hedgehogs	78
Other
TOTAL	​135

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL

Pump Station (HRT)

12 traps - Hubbard Road to Bridge before Paeroa
​

Rats	11
Mustelids	3
Hedgehogs	15
Other
TOTAL	​29

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL

Kopu Line 1 (HRT)

26 traps - Kopu Boat Ramp to Totara
​Established September 2025

Rats	16
Mustelids	18
Hedgehogs	11
Other	7
TOTAL	​52

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
TOTAL

Private Land Owner 2 (RC)

8 traps - Here, there and everywhere
Established March 2026

Rats	11
Mustelids	9
Hedgehogs	2
Other
TOTAL	​13

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
​TOTAL

Long Ridge

20 traps - Hither and yon
​Established April 2026

Rats	7
Mustelids	3
Hedgehogs	1
Other
TOTAL	11

2026 TOTAL

Rats	Value
Mustelids	Value
Hedgehogs	Value
Other
Possums
TOTAL