Key Takeaways:
- Wallabies are causing significant damage to New Zealand’s native bush and farmland, resulting in millions of dollars in lost production and environmental benefits.
- The Department of Conservation and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are working together to eradicate wallabies, with a focus on containing and eliminating populations in the Central North Island.
- The Central North Island containment area covers approximately 260,000 hectares, and efforts are ongoing to find and eliminate all wallaby populations outside of this area.
- Other animal pests, such as rabbits, stoats, and possums, are also a concern in the region, with landowners responsible for managing containment species.
- The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has eradicated 15 wallabies and contained 1988 in the 2024-25 year, and has also processed nearly 1000 feral goats as part of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Feral Goat Programme.
Introduction to the Wallaby Problem
Wallabies are causing significant damage to New Zealand’s native bush and farmland, with the Department of Conservation estimating that they cost New Zealanders millions of dollars in lost farm production and environmental benefits. According to Department of Conservation Rotorua operations manager Zane Jensen, wallabies "destroy" forest regeneration and productive farmland, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the issue. The Department of Conservation is working alongside numerous entities, including the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme, to reduce the spread of wallabies and ultimately achieve eradication.
Eradication Efforts
The Government has committed $1 million over two years to aid efforts to eradicate wallabies, and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for pest control in the region. In June, the regional council changed its Regional Pest Management Plan to contain all wallaby species known to be present in the region as an eradication or progressive containment species. Eradication involves the killing of the pest with the aim of removing all presence from the region, while progressive containment aims to stop a pest from spreading outside its containment area. The Central North Island wallaby containment area uses natural features such as rivers, steep gorges, and lakes to form its barriers, with a surrounding buffer zone in place where operational work takes place.
Challenges and Progress
The Central North Island containment area is roughly 260,000 hectares, making it a significant challenge to eradicate wallabies from the region. However, efforts are ongoing, and the regional council eradicated 15 wallabies in 2024-25, with a further 1988 "contained", meaning prevented from spreading outside the containment zone. Contractors, with wallaby indicator dogs and trail cameras, locate and determine the extent of wallaby populations, and the council works with landowners to plan and deliver wallaby control in areas outside the containment zone. Night shooting is also undertaken within the containment area at strategic locations to reduce wallaby numbers and prevent spread outside containment.
Other Pest Issues
Wallabies are not the only animal pest issue in the region, with 20 pest animals listed for management in the Bay of Plenty. The regional council manages exclusion and eradication pests, like wallabies and goats, while landowners handle containment species. The regional council received 147 public inquiries for other animal pests in the year to June 30, including rabbits, stoats, and possums, which are considered advisory threats as they are already well-established. The regional council can assist with control advice, but responsibility lies with the landowners or occupiers. This arrangement caused confusion with a "rabbit plague" at an kere Falls location in 2025, highlighting the need for clearer communication and coordination between the regional council and landowners.
Feral Goat Programme
In addition to wallabies, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is also working to control feral goats in the region. The Eastern Bay of Plenty Feral Goat Programme has been running for 20 years, and has controlled approximately 35,000 goats across the two decades, with $10 million invested to cover an area equivalent to more than a million rugby fields. Nearly 1000 feral goats have been processed this year, with eight eradicated and 960 contained, demonstrating the success of the programme in reducing the impact of feral goats on the environment and agriculture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the wallaby problem in New Zealand is a significant issue that requires urgent attention and action. The Department of Conservation and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are working together to eradicate wallabies, with a focus on containing and eliminating populations in the Central North Island. While progress is being made, there are still challenges to overcome, including the size of the containment area and the need for clearer communication and coordination between the regional council and landowners. However, with continued effort and investment, it is possible to achieve the goal of eradicating wallabies and protecting New Zealand’s native bush and farmland for future generations.
