As climate change, development and invasive species increasingly threaten Aotearoa’s precious coastal ecosystems, Native Restorations is urging landowners, councils, hapū/iwi and community groups to take immediate, coordinated action to safeguard our shorelines through native regeneration and pest animal control.

Healthy dunes and coastal wetlands are not just scenic landscapes — they are living, working systems that protect communities from sea surge, storms and erosion while supporting uniquely Kiwi biodiversity. Yet across the country, these natural defences are under pressure from human activity, weeds, and introduced predators such as feral cats, rats, stoats and other pests. (Native Restorations)

“We’ve worked on hundreds of coastal projects up and down Aotearoa, and time and again we see the same pattern — planting without pest management simply isn’t enough,” says Terence Stewart, Founder and Owner of Native Restorations. “Coastal regeneration only thrives when pests are actively managed, and native plants are given a chance to establish, spread and perform their role as nature’s frontline defence.”

New Service: Pest Animal Control for Coastal Ecosystems

Responding to increasing demand and ecological evidence, Native Restorations now offers pest animal control services specifically tailored to coastal environments. This targeted service helps reduce pressures from invasive predators — an essential step in restoring breeding habitat for vulnerable shorebirds, native plants and invertebrates.

Predators such as feral cats are particularly damaging to native wildlife because they roam widely, breed quickly and prey on ground-nesting birds, bats, lizards and insects. DOC and academic research show feral cats have contributed to significant declines in native bird populations and disrupt entire coastal ecosystems.

Why Native Regeneration Matters

• Natural coastal buffers: Native sand binders like spinifex and pīngao trap wind-blown sand, helping dunes rebuild after storms and reduce erosion. (Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand)
• Healthy wetlands: Coastal wetlands and estuaries support biodiversity, filter water, reduce flood risk and act as carbon sinks. (Climate Change & Nature: New Zealand)
• Biodiversity protection: Native plants and predator-free spaces give threatened shorebirds and coastal species the habitat they need to breed and thrive. (NRC)

Stewart explains:

“Coastal restoration is about more than planting. It’s about understanding the system,” he says. “This includes thorough knowledge of the vegetation, the predators, the hydrology, the history of disturbance, and working with all of those elements so nature can do what it does best.”

A Proven, Scientific Approach

Native Restorations’ work reflects best practice from community groups and science-backed methodologies for dune and coastal ecosystem recovery. Successful regeneration involves:

• Site assessment: identifying erosion hotspots, weed/pest pressure and habitat potential.
• Pest plant & animal control: removing invasives and managing predators that prevent recovery.
• Targeted planting: matching native species to specific coastal zones for maximum resilience.
• Ongoing monitoring: ensuring plants establish and ecosystems continue to rebound.

Stewart adds:

“Communities often start with great intentions, but without understanding how dune systems and coastal habitats function, and without pest control in place, good work can be undone within a season. That’s why we’ve expanded our services, to make sure restoration efforts actually work, long term.”

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