Pest and wasp control operations

Details of pest control activities to be carried out by DOC or Vector Free Marlborough will be posted here as we receive them.

Garibaldi Kakapo Predator Control Notification

On behalf of the Department of Conservation, VCS wishes to advise that the aerial application of bait containing Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) to the Garibaldi - Kakapo operational area from Wednesday 4 February, 2026.

The aerial application of 1080 bait is expected to take two days to complete, subject to weather. Should conditions prove unsuitable, work will begin at the first opportunity thereafter. Further notification will be provided in the event of an extended delay occurring.

The Department of Conservation plans to reduce rat, stoat, and possum numbers to protect taonga species in the Garibaldi Kakapo Area. The ongoing predator control is planned to maintain a healthy forest and provide ecosystems that sustain population growth of many taonga species within the forest. Predation by rats, stoats, and possums causes threatened native species such as the rock wren, great spotted kiwi, whio and Powelliphanta (giant land snails) to decline.

Warning signs will be in place prior to the toxic application and visitors are reminded:

  • Do not touch baits
  • Watch children at all times
  • Do not eat animals from this area or within the buffer zone outside the treatment area.
  • Poison baits or carcasses are deadly to dogs.
  • Visitors are reminded that this is a no dogs area.

Please observe these rules whenever you see warning signs

Please read the Notification Fact Sheet (pdf 2 MB) for more detail and any other information you may require.

Update on January 2026 operation

We notified you of an aerial predator control operation that commenced 15 January 2026 in the GARIBALDI-KAKAPO area. This operation is being run by Vector Control services on behalf of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and involved aerially applying 0.15% 1080 cereal pellets. This operation aims to protect Rock Wrens from rat and stoat predation. The operation will also benefit other threatened species, including whio, great spotted kiwi, and Powelliphanta snails.

Update 

We wish to advise you that the operation was completed on 5 February 2026. Post-operation rodent monitoring showed no detections, indicating that the operation was a success.

Risk information

Possum carcass monitoring commenced on 6 February 2026 and will continue until the carcasses have fully decomposed. The warning signs will then be removed. While the warning signs are in place please continue to be cautious if you are entering the control area.