Community partnership to reduce pests in Kinloch

A programme to help eradicate pests in Kinloch's village and reserves is the result of a new partnership between Taupo District Council, Kinloch Residents' Association, Bike Taupo and other community agencies.

The council and Bike Taupo have collectively donated 70 traps to the residents' association to help catch rats and stoats in the Whangamata Stream Reserve and on the Department of Conservation land at the western edge of the township.

The programme was instigated after a meeting between the council, the Kinloch Residents' Association, the Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council. It was suggested Kinloch try a similar approach to Pukawa and Omori, which have an effective pest control programme in place.

Acting group manager of policy and operations John Ridd said it was fantastic to be able to create a positive community partnership that would reduce pests and improve Kinloch's environment.

"Through these partnerships we are able to source quality advice and guidance about traps and pest control, as well as help the community to make a huge difference to the environment," he said. "We have an enthusiastic group of volunteers in Kinloch who are passionate about making positive changes which is great to see."

A group of volunteers from the residents' association, led by locals Mark Gibson and Dave Staite, would be running the programme and Mr Gibson said it was fantastic the council and Bike Taupo were contributing to Kinloch's environmental wellbeing. The group hoped to fundraise for more traps in the future and was working closely with the Department of Conservation and Ngati Tuwharetoa to make the programme happen.

"I think we all got inspired by what they're doing in Omori and Kuratau," he said. "The key thing for us at the Kinloch Residents' Association is try to energise the community and give them some ownership."

Mr Staite grew up holidaying in Kinloch and moved there as an adult. He said he wanted to protect it for future generations. "We want to be able to sit and have a coffee and see more of the native birds that I saw as a kid," he said.