Latest news with #PredatorFree2050
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Feral Cats On The Predator Free 2050 List? Why It's Dangerous And Unethical
New Zealanders have just days to stop feral cats from being officially labelled a ' predator for eradication' in the Predator Free 2050 strategy. Public submissions close 5pm Monday, 30th June 2025. The proposal to list feral cats as a target for eradication by 2050 is a serious threat to animal welfare and public values, and it is being advanced without a genuine national conversation or broad public engagement. Feral cats certainly pose a risk to sensitive New Zealand ecosystems, but inclusion on the PF2050 list promotes a fanatical, eradication-at-all-costs mentality that is neither humane nor scientifically sound. Here's why Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa opposes the move to add cats to the list, and why we need you to speak up. Feral cats come from us – not the wild Feral cats are not a distinct species. They originate from lost, abandoned, or unneutered pet cats. With 40% of New Zealand households sharing their homes with at least one cat (1), there is a continual flow of domestic cats into the stray and feral population. This is a human-made issue. Trying to 'eradicate' feral cats while ignoring the source is like bailing out a boat without fixing the leak. The answer lies in responsible pet ownership: desexing, microchipping, and preventing abandonment. A national strategy is needed at the source of the problem. Eradication is not only impossible – it is inhumane PF2050 is an eradication framework that seeks to eradicate certain predator species by 2050. Including feral cats in this list would invite cruelty under the guise of conservation. We already see horrific experimentation, abuse and hate towards cats and other 'pest animals' in New Zealand, and this step will make things worse. The infamous 'possum punch' that was videoed and shared on social media (2) and the kitten from Beach Haven who had its 'tail ripped off' and a threatening note sent to its owner stating 'Ur cats are dead,' (3) show the kind of abuse these animals can be subject to. Another example is the highly questionable use of 1080-poisoned rat carcasses to indirectly kill cats on Rakiura, Stewart Island, by The Department of Conservation (4). These secondary poisoning methods cause prolonged sickness and painful deaths in violation of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (sec. 12 (c)) (5). This is not humane pest control – it is state-sanctioned animal cruelty. What is secondary poisoning? Secondary poisoning happens when an animal eats another animal that has already ingested poison – for example, a cat consuming a poisoned rat. In DOC ' s current operations, this is not accidental – it is intentional. The method causes prolonged suffering, as poisons like 1080 can take hours or days to kill. It is indiscriminate, inhumane, and deeply unethical, especially when aimed at sentient animals like cats. A threat to your pets – and social licence Adding feral cats to the list will make them fair game for anyone with a trap. The Predator Free vision includes 'everyone from professionals to school children'. That means cats – feral or not – are at risk from amateurs targeting stray or pet cats and using poorly set, infrequently checked traps. The reality is, many people do not draw a clear distinction between feral, stray and pet cats and are not responsible or compassionate enough to carry out work that should be done by professionals. We are already seeing it happen. Reported in Paerata Rise, south of Auckland in 2024, 20 cats went missing in a single year. Residents suspect feral cat trapping is the cause. One stray, adopted by a dementia patient, was found hanging from a trap. Local SPCA data showed at least 12 pet cats were caught and released by the same programme. Others were never seen again. (6) Pet cats have been commonly targeted by neighbourhood self-proclaimed 'cat haters' and comments sections online are frequently littered with comments like 'the only good cat is a dead cat' and other hate directed at cats. This is not 'predator control' – it is the destruction of people's family members and emotional support animals. No safeguards, no accountability Unlike stoats or rats, cats are emotionally significant animals to many New Zealanders. Yet, no mechanisms have been proposed to prevent pet or stray cats from becoming collateral damage if feral cats are listed. Calls for trappers to check for microchips or photograph their catch have been ridiculed by Predator Free advocates. In one response, a community trapper dismissed suggestions to use microchip scanners as 'ridiculous' – stating it is impossible to scan a panicked animal in a trap. (7) Yet SPCA policy clearly advocates for humane treatment, desexing, and scanning stray animals to reunite them with owners. There are no enforcement tools or accountability measures to prevent backyard trapping from turning lethal. Feral cats do affect wildlife – but they also control pests We do not deny that feral cats pose a threat in ecologically sensitive areas. In some places, targeted control is necessary – and it is already happening. But the story is more complex. Feral cats also prey on rabbits, rats, mice, and even stoats. If feral cats were to be removed from areas where they are actually managing other pest species adequately, we risk triggering a 'mesopredator release–' which means allowing smaller pests like rats, mice, and stoats to surge. This can result in native wildlife losing predatorawareness over time. (8) Research shows that when predators are removed, prey species often fail to recognise threats. (9) This reduces the resilience and natural instincts of our native species, making them even more vulnerable. Taking a holistic, sustainable approach means caring for the environment in a way that honours balance, relationship, and long-term responsibility – it requires taking the whole picture into account. Rather than chasing eradication as an ideological goal, a holistic approach guides us to seek thoughtful, humane, and ecologically grounded solutions that respect all life, including animals caught in the margins of human impact. Management works. It just needs support. Feral cats are highly adaptive and widespread, and with a huge population of domestic and stray cats, eradication is simply not achievable across mainland New Zealand. What is achievable, though, is significantly improved management – and this is exactly what welfare groups and many others working in animal management have been asking for. What we need is not a new predator listing, but proper investment in feral cat management. Humane strategies already exist. They include: Desexing and microchipping to reduce stray populations at the source. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programmes for strays, which have proven effective in areas.(10) Professionally-led control in ecologically sensitive zones. National education campaigns around responsible pet ownership. Targeted funding for programmes, councils and community groups already doing the work. Cats are woven into our homes, hearts, and culture Cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. In Aotearoa today, more than 1.26 million cats live in people's homes. They provide companionship, emotional support, and pest control. Companion Animals NZ notes that 68% of people acquire cats for love and affection.(11) The backlash to Gareth Morgan's infamous 2013 call to eliminate domestic cats (12) proved just how deeply this country cares about its cats. The SPCA and other animal welfare advocates have made their position clear: while feral cat populations may need to be controlled, eradication through inhumane or indiscriminate methods is unacceptable.(13) Eradication is not ethical. It is not practical. And it is not the New Zealand way. See the Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa website to read our full recommendations and answer to the DOC's consultation questions. Flora and Fauna website: References and Links: Link to the online submission form. Questions 15 and 16 (at the very end) relate to feral cats. Read more about the strategy review. 1 'Companion animals in New Zealand: NZ pet data report 2024', 2 'Animal cruelty or pest control? Video shows possum being punched in the face', 3 'Beach Haven community rally around mother after kitten's tail 'ripped off' and threatening note left', 4 'Planned Rakiura 1080 drop criticised', 5 Animal Welfare Act 1999, 6 'The trapper, the developer and the case of Paerata's missing pets', 7 'The trapper, the developer and the case of Paerata's missing pets', 8 'The rise of the mesopredator', 9 'Predicting predator recognition in a changing world', 10 'Assessment of a targeted Trap-Neuter-Return pilot study in Auckland, New Zealand', 11 'Companion animals in New Zealand: NZ pet data report 2024', 12 'The cat menace',
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Bold Dream Gets A Cut As Predator Free 2050 Ltd Is Disestablished
Article – RNZ Predator Free 2050 was hit by a budget blow, and now the 'moonshot' goal is under threat, for The Detail The environmental sector worries that the future of a predator-free Aotearoa is in jeopardy after the Government swung the axe in the latest budget. It was billed as a 'moonshot' for New Zealand's environment – a bold, world-leading goal launched by Sir John Key in 2016, aimed at eradicating rats, possums and stoats from our islands by 2050. The vision has been clear – bring back birdsong to every valley, protect the flightless kiwi, and restore what once thrived. But today, the future of Predator Free 2050 looks uncertain. Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Crown-owned company established to drive and fund large-scale eradication and breakthrough science, is now being disestablished, as announced as part of Budget 2025. Funding for the company will cease by the end of the year, with its responsibilities shifted to the Department of Conservation (DOC), which the government says will reduce duplication, increase efficiency and save about $12 million. 'People are now worried for this programme,' Newsroom environment editor David Williams tells The Detail. 'They say without ongoing funding, we will not only not go forward, but we will go backwards. This programme needs funding, and that's up to the government.' The government insists the broader goal of predator eradication remains. But Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, chief executive of WWF New Zealand, is not entirely convinced. 'New Zealanders believe in the Predator Free 2050 dream, and we want the government to get behind them too. But I'm not sure this will happen. 'I've not been seeing a lot of enthusiasm for environmental outcomes from this government, full stop. We describe the government's policy agenda as a war on nature, and I think it is disappointing that a previous National government got so strongly behind this moonshot objective, and this government does not seem to care so much.' Both Williams and Kingdon-Bebb say the country has 'overwhelmingly' backed the Predator Free 2050 initiative, allowing it to 'come a long way, in a relatively short time'. Already, predator-elimination projects cover more than 800,000 hectares. 'This is a big amount of land,' says Williams. 'And the goal is big … but they have done well. 'They also said they wanted to fund scientific research, and 15 or 20 projects have already had money to try and sort this problem out. 'A lot of community groups have latched on to this – someone said to me that this is the one conservation project that has captured the imagination of New Zealanders more than any other.' Kingdon-Bebb agrees. 'It has certainly captured the hearts and minds like nothing else,' she says. 'We have seen an explosion of community trapping groups and landscape-scale projects over the last nine years, which has been amazing … now I feel the government is taking its foot off the pedal. 'What is apparent is that the government has had a look at the delivery model of the programme as a whole, which is complex. 'So, if it is the case that the government has reviewed it and determined that a crown-owned corporation is not the best delivery methodology, I can accept that. 'DOC has a lot of capability … and perhaps it is appropriate for DOC to be coordinating this work, perhaps there was duplication of roles and functions and costs. 'But where I would be concerned is that in the wider scale of what has happened in the last two budgets, the Department of Conservation will see, in total, about 300 million dollars in savings exacted from it. 'So, it does beg the question whether a very stretched department can pick up the leadership of this initiative in a way we would want to see it done.' Critics say that move will slow momentum, bury innovation under bureaucracy and confuse local projects already stretched thin. They also argue that across the country, hundreds of predator-free community groups, many driven by volunteers, will be left wondering what support will look like without the company's funding, research backing and strategic oversight. But the government insists the predator-free projects and contracts funded by the company are not affected and it is committed to the predator-free 2050 goal.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Bold Dream Gets A Cut As Predator Free 2050 Ltd Is Disestablished
The environmental sector worries that the future of a predator-free Aotearoa is in jeopardy after the Government swung the axe in the latest budget. It was billed as a 'moonshot' for New Zealand's environment - a bold, world-leading goal launched by Sir John Key in 2016, aimed at eradicating rats, possums and stoats from our islands by 2050. The vision has been clear - bring back birdsong to every valley, protect the flightless kiwi, and restore what once thrived. But today, the future of Predator Free 2050 looks uncertain. Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Crown-owned company established to drive and fund large-scale eradication and breakthrough science, is now being disestablished, as announced as part of Budget 2025. Funding for the company will cease by the end of the year, with its responsibilities shifted to the Department of Conservation (DOC), which the government says will reduce duplication, increase efficiency and save about $12 million. "People are now worried for this programme," Newsroom environment editor David Williams tells The Detail. "They say without ongoing funding, we will not only not go forward, but we will go backwards. This programme needs funding, and that's up to the government." The government insists the broader goal of predator eradication remains. But Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, chief executive of WWF New Zealand, is not entirely convinced. "New Zealanders believe in the Predator Free 2050 dream, and we want the government to get behind them too. But I'm not sure this will happen. "I've not been seeing a lot of enthusiasm for environmental outcomes from this government, full stop. We describe the government's policy agenda as a war on nature, and I think it is disappointing that a previous National government got so strongly behind this moonshot objective, and this government does not seem to care so much." Both Williams and Kingdon-Bebb say the country has "overwhelmingly" backed the Predator Free 2050 initiative, allowing it to "come a long way, in a relatively short time". Already, predator-elimination projects cover more than 800,000 hectares. "This is a big amount of land," says Williams. "And the goal is big ... but they have done well. "They also said they wanted to fund scientific research, and 15 or 20 projects have already had money to try and sort this problem out. "A lot of community groups have latched on to this - someone said to me that this is the one conservation project that has captured the imagination of New Zealanders more than any other." Kingdon-Bebb agrees. "It has certainly captured the hearts and minds like nothing else," she says. "We have seen an explosion of community trapping groups and landscape-scale projects over the last nine years, which has been amazing ... now I feel the government is taking its foot off the pedal. "What is apparent is that the government has had a look at the delivery model of the programme as a whole, which is complex. "So, if it is the case that the government has reviewed it and determined that a crown-owned corporation is not the best delivery methodology, I can accept that. "DOC has a lot of capability ... and perhaps it is appropriate for DOC to be coordinating this work, perhaps there was duplication of roles and functions and costs. "But where I would be concerned is that in the wider scale of what has happened in the last two budgets, the Department of Conservation will see, in total, about 300 million dollars in savings exacted from it. "So, it does beg the question whether a very stretched department can pick up the leadership of this initiative in a way we would want to see it done." Critics say that move will slow momentum, bury innovation under bureaucracy and confuse local projects already stretched thin. They also argue that across the country, hundreds of predator-free community groups, many driven by volunteers, will be left wondering what support will look like without the company's funding, research backing and strategic oversight. But the government insists the predator-free projects and contracts funded by the company are not affected and it is committed to the predator-free 2050 goal. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
A bold dream gets a cut as Predator Free 2050 Ltd is disestablished
Critics of the plan to disestablish Predator Free 2050 Ltd are concerned about undoing progress on eradication. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon It was billed as a 'moonshot' for New Zealand's environment - a bold, world-leading goal launched by Sir John Key in 2016, aimed at eradicating rats, possums and stoats from our islands by 2050. The vision has been clear - bring back birdsong to every valley, protect the flightless kiwi, and restore what once thrived. But today, the future of Predator Free 2050 looks uncertain. Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Crown-owned company established to drive and fund large-scale eradication and breakthrough science, is now being disestablished, as announced as part of Budget 2025. Funding for the company will cease by the end of the year, with its responsibilities shifted to the Department of Conservation (DOC) , which the government says will reduce duplication, increase efficiency and save about $12 million. "People are now worried for this programme," Newsroom environment editor David Williams tells The Detail . "They say without ongoing funding, we will not only not go forward, but we will go backwards. This programme needs funding , and that's up to the government." The government insists the broader goal of predator eradication remains. But Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, chief executive of WWF New Zealand, is not entirely convinced. "New Zealanders believe in the Predator Free 2050 dream, and we want the government to get behind them too. But I'm not sure this will happen. "I've not been seeing a lot of enthusiasm for environmental outcomes from this government, full stop. We describe the government's policy agenda as a war on nature, and I think it is disappointing that a previous National government got so strongly behind this moonshot objective, and this government does not seem to care so much." Both Williams and Kingdon-Bebb say the country has "overwhelmingly" backed the Predator Free 2050 initiative, allowing it to "come a long way, in a relatively short time". Already, predator-elimination projects cover more than 800,000 hectares. "This is a big amount of land," says Williams. "And the goal is big ... but they have done well. "They also said they wanted to fund scientific research, and 15 or 20 projects have already had money to try and sort this problem out. "A lot of community groups have latched on to this - someone said to me that this is the one conservation project that has captured the imagination of New Zealanders more than any other." Kingdon-Bebb agrees. "It has certainly captured the hearts and minds like nothing else," she says. "We have seen an explosion of community trapping groups and landscape-scale projects over the last nine years, which has been amazing ... now I feel the government is taking its foot off the pedal. "What is apparent is that the government has had a look at the delivery model of the programme as a whole, which is complex. "So, if it is the case that the government has reviewed it and determined that a crown-owned corporation is not the best delivery methodology, I can accept that. "DOC has a lot of capability ... and perhaps it is appropriate for DOC to be coordinating this work, perhaps there was duplication of roles and functions and costs. "But where I would be concerned is that in the wider scale of what has happened in the last two budgets, the Department of Conservation will see, in total, about 300 million dollars in savings exacted from it. "So, it does beg the question whether a very stretched department can pick up the leadership of this initiative in a way we would want to see it done." Critics say that move will slow momentum, bury innovation under bureaucracy and confuse local projects already stretched thin. They also argue that across the country, hundreds of predator-free community groups, many driven by volunteers, will be left wondering what support will look like without the company's funding, research backing and strategic oversight. But the government insists the predator-free projects and contracts funded by the company are not affected and it is committed to the predator-free 2050 goal. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
Newsroom
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
What happened to Predator Free 2050?
It was billed as a 'moonshot' for New Zealand's environment – a bold, world-leading goal launched by Sir John Key in 2016, aimed at eradicating rats, possums, and stoats from our islands by 2050. The vision has been clear – bring back birdsong to every valley, protect the flightless kiwi, and restore what once thrived. But today, the future of Predator Free 2050 looks uncertain. Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Crown-owned company established to drive and fund large-scale eradication and breakthrough science, is now being disestablished, as announced as part of Budget 2025. Funding for the company will cease by the end of the year, with its responsibilities shifted to the Department of Conservation, which the Government says will reduce duplication, increase efficiency, and save about $12 million. 'People are now worried for this programme,' Newsroom environment editor David Williams tells The Detail. 'They say without ongoing funding, we will not only not go forward, but we will go backwards. This programme needs funding, and that's up to the Government.' The Government insists the broader goal of predator eradication remains. But Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, the chief executive of WWF New Zealand, is not entirely convinced. 'New Zealanders believe in the Predator Free 2050 dream, and we want the Government to get behind them too. But I'm not sure this will happen. 'I've not been seeing a lot of enthusiasm for environmental outcomes from this Government, full stop. We describe the Government's policy agenda as a war on nature, and I think it is disappointing that a previous National government got so strongly behind this moonshot objective, and this Government does not seem to care so much.' Both Williams and Kingdon-Bebb say the country has 'overwhelmingly' backed the Predator Free 2050 initiative, allowing it to 'come a long way, in a relatively short time'. Already, predator-elimination projects cover more than 800,000 hectares. 'This is a big amount of land,' says Williams. 'And the goal is big … but they have done well. 'They also said they wanted to fund scientific research, and 15 or 20 projects have already had money to try and sort this problem out. 'A lot of community groups have latched on to this – someone said to me that this is the one conservation project that has captured the imagination of New Zealanders more than any other.' Kingdon-Bebb agrees. 'It has certainly captured the hearts and minds like nothing else,' she says. 'We have seen an explosion of community trapping groups and landscape-scale projects over the last nine years, which has been amazing … now I feel the Government is taking its foot off the pedal. 'What is apparent is that the Government has had a look at the delivery model of the programme as a whole, which is complex. 'So, if it is the case that the Government has reviewed it and determined that a Crown-owned corporation is not the best delivery methodology, I can accept that. 'DoC has a lot of capability … and perhaps it is appropriate for DoC to be coordinating this work, perhaps there was duplication of roles and functions and costs. 'But where I would be concerned is that in the wider scale of what has happened in the last two budgets, the Department of Conservation will see, in total, about 300 million dollars in savings exacted from it. 'So, it does beg the question whether a very stretched department can pick up the leadership of this initiative in a way we would want to see it done.' Critics say that move will slow momentum, bury innovation under bureaucracy, and confuse local projects already stretched thin. They also argue that across the country, hundreds of predator-free community groups, many driven by volunteers, will be left wondering what support will look like without the company's funding, research backing, and strategic oversight. But the Government insists the predator-free projects and contracts funded by the company are not affected, and it is committed to the predator-free 2050 goal. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
