Inspired by the success of other ‘predator-free’ communities around New Zealand, Project Bellbird aims to get the whole community involved in backyard trapping and habitat restoration, in the hope that bellbirds and other native wildlife may one day return to Waipu village.
There are two parts to the project:
● Backyard trapping in and around Waipu village targeting rats and possums; and
● The creation of an ecological corridor for the birds, from Waionehu Stream catchment to Waipu Village, through habitat restoration and trapping. By linking safe zones and creating wildlife corridors, we can help the bellbirds move between habitats, increasing their chances of survival and breeding success.

While the bellbird is not considered a threatened species, it is relatively uncommon in Northland. As a result of conservation efforts, including extensive pest control, the bellbird is gradually returning to the parts of the Brynderwyn ranges. Numbers are increasing, but they need more support to venture down to the village. Their appearance in Waipu gardens will be a sure sign we’re getting it right with predator control.

We are mainly targeting rats with our backyard trapping, as our monitoring has found that these are the most abundant predators in urban areas. Rat traps are easy to manage for everyone who wants to get involved.
If you live close to bush areas, possums may also be an issue. Our team can set up possum traps where they are a problem, and check and maintain these traps. Reducing the number of possums in our town will allow native plants and trees to recover and regenerate, as well as keep the fruit in your orchard for your enjoyment.
The team from Piroa Conservation Trust (PCT) is setting up a trapping ‘buffer zone’ around the Waipū village perimeter and waterways to target mustelids and will set, service and monitor these traps. 

Absolutely not. While cats do kill native wildlife, we know domestic cats are also much-loved companions. We advocate for the responsible ownership of domestic cats to reduce their impact. This includes neutering your cat and keeping them inside during the night, especially at dusk and early dawn. By attaching a bell to your cat’s collar, you can halve the number of birds they will catch.

We need the whole community to get behind the project: not just to set backyard traps, but to spread the word among friends and neighbours, so we can bring rat and possum numbers under control.
We’ll know we’re making progress when one in five Waipu households is actively trapping rats, and we’re catching fewer rats and possums in our traps. But the real measure of our success is not about what we are removing, but what is coming back - when bellbirds, tuis, fantails, New Zealand pigeons, and other native birds return to our gardens and backyards. 

PCT is embarking on a new project to improve water quality and biodiversity in the Waionehu Stream catchment. Through predator control and planting, we’ll create an ecological corridor - or highway - for the birds, from the hills to the village. The return of the bellbird is a good sign that there is safe habitat throughout the catchment for other species, such as inanga and bittern.