Predator Free Waihῑ seeks to begin to educate the surrounding community about the plight of our native wildlife, and provide the tools in order to help keep them safe from predators.
The group formed in 2023 in partnership with HELP Waihi, with seed funding from Predator Free NZ to start an urban backyard rat trapping programme; now evolving into development of a trap library and reserve trapping.
Our Trap Library, located at the HELP Waihi/Waihi Native Plants depot at the back of Waihi College, provides Waihi residents with free access to various pest-control traps. The library has DOC 200 and DOC 250 traps, as well as possum traps, available for both urban and rural properties, along with rat traps for purchase.
Visit us at the depot, borrow a trap, and get trained on safe use.
Follow best practices for safe and effective trapping.
Log your catches to help us monitor the community’s impact.
After three months, bring back the trap clean and in good working order. If needed, we can discuss an extended loan based on demand.
The Trap Library is managed by HELP Waihi and has limited traps available. We’re working to source additional funding to expand the library and use recycled materials for trap builds whenever possible.
Borrowing a trap is completely free, and lures are available for a koha (donation) when in stock. To borrow a trap or learn more, please email us at predatorfreewaihi@gmail.com.
Thanks to funding from the Predator Free NZ Backyard Communities Fund, we’ve distributed over 100 rat traps and tunnels to Waihi’s urban backyards. Traps are available for $10, with all proceeds supporting the project.
To get a trap: Email us to arrange collection. Currently, these $10 traps are for urban properties only. Rural residents can borrow from our Trap Library or purchase a locally made rat trap for $40.
In partnership with Hauraki District Council, Predator Free Waihi is setting up trap lines in local reserves, beginning with a pilot at Gilmour Lake. As funding and volunteer capacity grow, we’ll expand into other high-value biodiversity areas. With support from OceanaGold Waihi, the first traps will be in place by the end of 2024.
We’re looking for volunteers to help check these traps. Training is provided—just email predatorfreewaihi@gmail.com if you’d like to join.
We’re here to help you get started with trapping, answer any questions, or connect you with our latest volunteer opportunities.
