Eliminating Possums From Banks Peninsula: A Blueprint For NZ (with Ollie Rutland-Sims, Pest Free Banks Peninsula)
People Helping Nature PodcastShow Notes
Australian brush-tail possums are one of the most widespread and damaging introduced pests in Aotearoa New Zealand, with an estimated ~30 million around the country. They are wreaking havoc on both our native plants and animals, and they put pressure on our ecosystems, farms, and the wider economy. Most of the time, we respond by suppressing possum numbers. But on Banks Peninsula, a different approach is taking shape. In this episode, we sit down with Ollie Rutland-Sims from Pest Free Banks Peninsula to learn about their possum elimination programme: A bold mission, strategically working to drive possum numbers to zero in their area under the ethos that “offence is the best defence”. As Ollie explains, “we're now dealing with quite a legacy problem and a population that really, the only checks and balances on it are coming from human inputs” Ollie shares Pest Free Banks Peninsula’s 4-stage elimination strategy: Knock-down → mop-up → surveillance → and lastly the defence phase after a block of land has been declared possum-free. It’s an approach that’s working, with 5,800 hectares already declared possum-free - and could be used as blueprint for possum elimination throughout the country. We also talk about mindset and the need to constantly deliver professional, spot-on work for this elimination approach to work: Continuous learning about your target species and constant improvments are key to success. Amazingly the benefits of this mahi reach far beyond positive biodiversity and conservation outcomes, with local farmers, community, and the economy also gaining. This project shows that eliminating a pest species in an open system on the mainland is not only achievable but also an investment in the future. Here are some of the key topics we discussed: Why brush-tail possums were introduced into NZ. Why they’re such a big threat to our native flora and fauna. The benefits of possum elimination vs. supression. Their 4-phase elimination approach. How reinvasions are managed in an open mainland system. The long term cost savings of elimination vs. suppression. The importance of social license and relationships with private landowners. What to do when you see a possum on the Banks Peninsula. And much more… Love the People Helping Nature Podcast? Get notified when new episodes go live - subscribe here: www.conservationamplified.org 🧑🦱About Ollie: Ollie Rutland-Sims works for the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust as an Operations Coordinator within their Pest Free Banks Peninsula program, leading field teams working toward landscape-scale possum elimination near Akaroa, Banks Peninsula. With a background in practical, boots-on-the-ground conservation, Ollie combines operational planning with hands-on experience in wildlife management. He’s passionate about improving field efficiency, supporting strong team culture, and delivering meaningful conservation outcomes for Aotearoa. 🔗Learn more: Website: https://www.pestfreebankspeninsula.org.nz Report a possum: https://www.survey123.arcgis.com/share/b152f02a20e14959a80c97917cc669d1 🎙️Learn more about the People Helping Nature Podcast at www.conservationamplified.org
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On one of Paula Sheridan’s boat tours, the boat stopped and nobody said a word. People began holding up their phones as layers of bellbird song filled the forest. After years guiding on Ōkārito Lagoon, it was a moment she would never forget. Paula used to get excited about hearing a single tūī or bellbird. As Predator Free South Westland removed possums, rats and stoats, the forest’s soundtrack changed. So did daily life in the village. She expected more birds. What surprised her was how much the change meant to people. Paula shares the joy she’s seeing in her community, how visitors respond, and why experiencing the recovery can turn scepticism into belief. With the region’s glaciers retreating, she also sees potential for wildlife to play a bigger part in local tourism. We explore how businesses are giving back through the Ōkārito Plant Project, where even competing tour operators come together to plant native trees on local farms and protect waterways. This is the second episode of a two-part mini series. The previous episode with ZIP’s Nate St Hill explored how they went about removing possums, rats and stoats from more than 100,000 hectares of South Westland - and this episode shares how this has impacted the local community as a result. Here are some of the key topics we discussed: The Ōkārito Lagoon - NZ's largest unmodified wetland How Predator Free South Westland’s work positively impacted the biodiversity and local community The resulting abundance of fruit and seed on the forest floor How community wellbeing improved by restoring ecological balance How firsthand experiences can build belief in Predator Free 2050 New possibilities for tourism as glaciers retreat Bringing businesses, farmers and visitors together through the Ōkārito Plant Project And much more… Love the People Helping Nature Podcast? Get notified when new episodes go live - subscribe for emails here: https://www.conservationamplified.org 👩 About Paula: Originally from Canada, Paula Sheridan followed a lifelong love of rivers, mountains, wilderness and guiding to New Zealand more than 25 years ago, where she now co-owns Ōkārito Boat EcoTours with partner Swade Finch. Based in the coastal village of Ōkārito on the West Coast of the South Island, Paula combines eco-tourism, storytelling and restoration work through the Ōkārito Plant Project. Her passion lies in helping people slow down, connect deeply with nature, and become part of caring for the landscapes that sustain us. 🔗Learn more: https://www.okaritoboattours.co.nz https://www.okaritonursery.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/okaritoboatecotours https://www.facebook.com/OkaritoBoatEcoTours 🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org
Is Predator Free 2050 achievable? Is it possible to remove possums, rats and stoats from 100,000+ hectares of mainland New Zealand, and keep them out, without a fence? When ZIP began working in South Westland, this was unchartered territory: even the team wasn’t sure. But the local community agreed that it was worth a go. Starting with a trial in the remote Perth Valley, they worked across the landscape block by block. Some river boundaries helped keep predators out. Others were so leaky that dealing with returning animals made it hard to move on. In this episode, Nate St Hill from Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) shares how the team kept finding ways forward, combining familiar tools with new technology and adapting as they learned. With initial predator removal completed across more than 100,000 hectares, Nate describes the rewards, like seeing kākāriki in the Perth Valley where he once worked for years without hearing one, and residents telling him their dawn chorus has changed. It’s a story of persistence, ingenuity and community support, with lessons for anyone wondering whether Predator Free 2050 is possible. This is the first episode of a two-part mini series looking at this incredible elimination programme. The next episode explores how predator removal is changing life for locals and tourism operators in Ōkārito Lagoon. We recorded this episode during a visit in late March 2026. Whilst the majority of what we discussed is current at the time of publishing, you can find the latest project updates and numbers here: https://pfsw.org.nz/news Here are some of the key topics we discussed: What predator elimination means in an open mainland landscape Using glacier fed, fast-flowing rivers, mountains and the sea as natural boundaries How 1080, traps, innovation and AI cameras work together Why different predators need different responses Working alongside landowners and local communities Learning how to manage reinvasion and prevent predators from re-establishing Maintaining the gains and the role of the Tomorrow Accord Nate’s lessons and insights for adapting this approach elsewhere in Aotearoa And much more… 🧑 About Nate: After completing a Bachelor of Science at Sydney University and travelling overseas, Nate stumbled into the world of conservation as a volunteer for the Department of Conservation on Raoul Island. He spent the best part of two years working on the weeding program there. Nate joined ZIP as a field ranger working at the temporary Haast field site back in 2017. He’s been with the South Westland team since ZIP began work in the Perth Valley in 2019. These days, he doesn’t spend much time working in the field but enjoys exploring the more accessible parts of the stunning South Westland environment with his 2 year old son. 🔗 Learn more: https://zip.org.nz https://pfsw.org.nz https://www.instagram.com/projectpfsw https://www.facebook.com/predatorfreesouthwestland 🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org
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One day, hearing kiwi call from your backyard could be normal again. To many New Zealanders, kiwi are our national icon - but not a bird they’ve actually seen or heard in the wild. Throughout Aotearoa, translocations are helping bring kiwi back from endangered to everywhere. In this episode, we sit down with Tineke Joustra, Operations Manager & Population Biologist at Save the Kiwi to explore how kiwi are being returned to places where they once lived - and why people are the key to ensuring they thrive. At first glance, a translocation might sound simple: move kiwi from one safe place to another. But as Tineke explains, it takes years of planning, predator control, monitoring, dog management, iwi and hapū relationships, community support, and a shared long-term vision before kiwi can be returned safely. Because when kiwi come back, they do more than boost population numbers. They can become “the carrot” that motivates people to go the extra mile. Here are some of the key topics we discussed: How current kiwi population numbers compare to historical estimates Why kiwi populations declined drastically What kiwi translocations are and how they work Save the Kiwi’s Kōhanga Kiwi Strategy How safe sites can help grow kiwi populations for future release What makes a landscape ready to receive kiwi Why relationships are central to successful translocations The role of iwi, hapū, neighbours, landowners and community groups How kiwi populations could eventually reconnect through safe habitat corridors Case Studies: Capital Kiwi & Waiheke Island translocations The importance of bringing kiwi closer to our backyards to restore our connection And much more… Love the People Helping Nature Podcast? Get notified when new episodes go live - subscribe for emails here: https://ww.conservationamplified.org 👩About Tineke: Tineke Joustra is a conservation scientist with more than two decades of experience working with New Zealand wildlife. As the Operations Manager and Population Biologist for Save the Kiwi, Tineke merges science and logistics to lead the national strategic framework for kiwi conservation across Aotearoa. Her portfolio spans translocations, kōhanga management, population modelling, research/innovation, and driving excellence in best-practice standards. She is committed to building robust, science-based strategies in partnership with iwi/hapū and community projects to establish the best possible long-term decisions for kiwi recovery. 🔗Learn more: Website: savethekiwi.nz Save the Kiwi Kōhanga Kiwi Strategy: savethekiwi.nz/about-us/what-we-do/kohanga-kiwi Report a kiwi sighting: savethekiwi.nz/report-a-kiwi Kiwi avoidance training: kiwiavoidancetraining.nz Support: donate-save-a-kiwi.raiselysite.com 🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org
In times of heavy rainfall, water can rush off farmland, carrying soil, nutrients and contaminants into waterways - and adding pressure downstream. In this episode, we sit down with Laura Simpson from the Mangaone West Catchment Group to learn how detainment bunds help improve water quality alongside more familiar methods such as fencing off waterways, riparian plantings and wetlands. Laura explains how understanding your local landscape, soil type, and water quality testing insights is crucial when deciding which tools to use for improving stream health. We also talk about the broader catchment-wide mindset and the importance of working together from source to sea to create resilience in our landscapes. Ultimately, healthier waterways means healthier farms, ecosystems, and communities. Detainment bunds are not a silver bullet. But in the right places, they can help slow water, reduce sediment loss, protect wetlands, and keep more soil and nutrients on the land where they belong. Here are some of the key topics we discussed: What detainment bunds are and how they work. How detainment bunds can help slow floodwater and reduce sediment loss. Why soil type and local landscape knowledge matter. The importance of regular water testing. How detainment bunds can work alongside wetlands, riparian planting and fencing. Why reducing sediment upstream benefits waterways further downstream. The importance of catchment-wide collaboration. Conservation outcomes and swimmable rivers. And much more… Love the People Helping Nature Podcast? Get notified when new episodes go live - subscribe for emails here: www.conservationamplified.org 👩About Laura: Laura Simpson is the Mangaone West Catchment Group’s leader, a rural professional, on the Manawatū River Catchment Collective’s committee, and part of the family farming operation. Planting and protecting wetlands on her family farm led to getting involved in the Mangaone West Catchment Group and eventually taking on the leadership role. With a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science, and a Masters in Agricultural Science, Laura understands the importance of data driven decision making for projects within the catchment group. 🔗Learn more: Website: https://manawatu-river-catchments-collective.co.nz/mangaone-west-catchment Detainment Bund Consultancy: https://www.detainmentbund.co.nz 🎙️About the podcast: The People Helping Nature podcast is brought to you by Conservation Amplified, a registered New Zealand charity. We are on a mission to help make conservation mainstream by amplifying the awesome stuff people are doing to help nature all around Aotearoa New Zealand. Because when people are aware, connected to the ecosystems around them and care enough to take positive action, only then will we see lasting change. Listen in and follow us to start or deepen your journey. Find out more about Conservation Amplified at www.conservationamplified.org.