#1 Birds - Kereru Moores

Aparima Pestbusters

20 Years’ Commitment To The Support Of Native Biodiversity

Aparima Pest Busters was formed around 2005 as an informal group of Riverton residents concerned about the impact introduced pests were having on native species in the Riverton area. Work in Mores Reserve has included the removal of pest weed species followed by revegetation with native species - seedlings for this revegetation work were raised locally by volunteers. Test

The other work in the reserve involved the establishment of a network of around 400 bait stations targeting rats and possums. For many years volunteers also managed a very successful Magpie eradication program in the area from approximately Waimatuku in the east to Colac Bay in the west and north to Fairfax. This work ceased around 3 years ago.

A volunteer checking the pest traps in Riverton Mores Reserve

Aparima Pest Busters Charitable Trust was established in January 2023, as it became apparent that a more formalised management structure would help our efforts to attract funding and increased support from local volunteers.

Our Purpose and Principles

The purpose of the Trust is to undertake pest management in the Riverton Area. The Trust is committed to working with this principle in mind to:

Maintain Habitats of native and endemic flora and fauna in the Riverton Area so that they are protected against introduced pests.
Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

A map of Riverton, New Zealand showing the areas Aparima Pest Busters manages

Areas of Focus

To this point the main activities are in the Mores Reserve area on the hills to the southwest of Riverton. Our 5-year management plan now expands our activities to 3 main areas: