Rat Pathways to Rakiura Research Project Launched

An effective, reliable, and feasible biosecurity system is a key requirement for the long-term future of Predator Free Rakiura.

PF2050 is funding research by the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis from Melbourne to assess and model rat entry pathways to Rakiura, which aims to understand incursion risks and manage biosecurity measure priorities. This work will help to inform the design of a biosecurity system for Rakiura.

The project will deliver a computer model of rat entry pathways, and an assessment and recommendation of possible methods for rat surveillance for Rakiura. It is hoped that the approach CEBRA takes in designing the model for Rakiura can then be applied to other places in New Zealand as part of our goal to make Aotearoa predator free by 2050. 

The CEBRA team bring a wide range of biosecurity research experience to the project. They specialise in biosecurity risk assessments and pathway analysis. However, they need to gather local knowledge and technical expertise to capture the information required to inform their research and what they build for Rakiura.  

Predator Free Rakiura is supporting CEBRA by organising workshops to connect with interested parties and technical experts on Rakiura and in Bluff in the first week of September so that CEBRA can gather information about risk pathways, points of vulnerability, and opportunities for efficient surveillance. The focus will be understanding pathways to Rakiura and the benefits from controlling the rodents at source. 

Invites are being emailed out to experts and commercial operators, with a public information session planned, too! 

Monday 2 September: Introducing the CEBRA Team & the Rat Pathways to Rakiura Research
All members of the community are welcome to attend, to hear what this project is all about, ask questions, and to share your anecdotes and experiences.
WHERE: The Pavillion, Rakiura Bowling Club, Ayr Street.
WHEN: From 6pm onwards.

Tuesday 3 September: Experts workshop: Sharing your knowledge of rat pathways to Rakiura, and how biosecurity might impact you, with the CEBRA team.
This workshop will focus on information sharing with the CEBRA team, and be an opportunity for experts like tourism operators, travel operators, and fishing and aquaculture industry representatives, and more to ask questions and share their knowledge.
WHERE: The Pavillion, Rakiura Bowling Club, Ayr Street.
WHEN: From 6pm onwards.

Thursday 5 September: Experts workshop: Sharing your knowledge of rat pathways to Rakiura, and how biosecurity might impact you, with the CEBRA team.
This workshop will focus on information sharing with the CEBRA team, and be an opportunity for experts like tourism operators, travel operators, and fishing and aquaculture industry representatives, and more to ask questions and share their knowledge.
WHERE: Bluff Council Chambers, 98 Gore Street, Bluff.
WHEN: From 1pm onwards.

If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please email info@predatorfreerakiura.org.nz

Let us know in your email whether you would like to attend a hui on Rakiura, or in Bluff.