21 July 2015

Hawke’s Bay Urban Possum Control A Winner

The Hawke’s Bay Urban Biodiversity (HuB) possum control programme was a winner at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Awards last night.

A thrilled group of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council biosecurity staff and regional councillors accepted the Air New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Environmental Impact presented to the council which has developed a project or initiative that has made a positive contribution to the quality of their environment.

“We are thrilled to receive this award for our urban possum control project as it has been a long term commitment of HBRC working with the community to achieve environmental gains in our cities,” says HBRC Chairman Fenton Wilson.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council started the HuB programme on Napier Hill in 2009. The programme has since been extended to Havelock North and areas around Hastings and Taradale.

Judges praised the considerable community engagement and demonstrable impact, with clear benefits for the environment and for residents. Hawke's Bay Regional Council collaborated with Napier City Council and Hastings District Council to work with urban communities on possum control. This won strong community support and achieved multiple benefits including the steady growth of native bird numbers.

“This award must also be shared with all those local home owners who got involved in the HuB programme and kept bait stations stocked to help keep possum numbers low. We were pleased how positively people responded to the programme. The improvement in our urban parks and gardens and the return of bird life has been reward enough - it’s a winning programme from all angles,” says HBRC Chairman Wilson.

The awards also acknowledges the work of the possum control contractors who worked with councils and residents on the initial control, and the local Hastings and Napier councils which supported the programme from the outset by managing possum control in their own parks and reserves.

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