Predator Free Wānaka is a community-led group started to encourage more locals to trap pest species on their properties, and to set up and manage trap lines around Wānaka, Hāwea, Hāwea Flat, Albert Town, Luggate and Queensberry.

We are aiming to educate people about nature, reduce the number of pests in the region and protect precious native wildlife which is vulnerable to predators.

Wānaka Backyard Trapping formed in 2018 and has slowly grown in its membership and activities. We renamed to Predator Free Wānaka in 2025. Our committee includes technical trapping experts, an education advisor, a community engagement coordinator and a number of trapline coordinators.

We’re 100% run by volunteers - all funds raised go directly to the cause.

We are one of the consortium member groups of Southern Lakes Sanctuary – a landscape-scale conservation project covering Queenstown Lakes District.

We currently manage over 600 traps across 20 lines on public land, targeting a wide range of introduced predators – mice, rats, hedgehogs, possums, stoats, ferrets and weasels.

In addition, we’ve helped set up more than 400 traps on private land.

Since our group formed, thousands of predators have been removed from our local environment by trapping within our projects on public land. All of the trapping work was done by our network of over 120 dedicated volunteers.

Public engagement is growing as more locals become aware of the native species in our region and the risks they face from predation, habitat loss and a changing climate.

We work closely with other environmental groups and organisations to encourage the planting of native trees and shrubs, enhancement of waterways and biodiversity education for children and adults. 

Our aim is to continue to engage the local community and provide education about introduced predators and native wildlife, and present ways in which to proactively manage predators on their own land. Every trap brings us one step closer to the ultimate goal of making the Upper Clutha a predator-free region of Aotearoa. We publish a periodic newsletter and organise public talks by visiting experts, trapping workshops and school/preschool visits.

Our objective is to scale up our trapping network to cover more ground and link up existing trap lines. Thousands more traps and plenty of people power will be needed to achieve this goal!

The benefits of our mahi? More native birds, lizards and invertebrates in our backyards, reserves, waterways and mountains… all contributing their ‘ecosystem services’ to the environment, making the Wānaka region an even more amazing place to live!

To help, we invite you to get involved.

Our People

  • Guy Kennedy - Chairperson/Exec

  • Kris Vollebregt - Founder/Exec

  • Paula Fernandez Costagliola - Treasurer/Exec

  • Nina Rongokea - Exec

  • Billy Barton - Technical Advisor

  • Mary Hunt - Technical Advisor

  • Markus Hermanns - Education, Equipment

  • Heather Thorne - Trap line coordinator, Albert Town

  • Judy Thompson - Trap line coordinator, Luggate

  • Cath Watson - Trap line coordinator, Hāwea

  • Thelma McMurray - Trap line coordinator, Wānaka

  • Neil Sloan - Trap line co-coordinator, Mt Iron

  • Gerad McArthur - Trap line co-coordinato, Outlet, Hikuwai, Mt Iron

  • Megan Davies - Trap line coordinator, Little Mt Iron

  • Tom Reeves - Trap line coordinator - Shoreline

  • Ewan Mackie - Trap line coordinator - Kirimoko

Our Region

The Upper Clutha region describes the network of rivers, valleys, lakes, wetlands and mountains surrounding the settlements of Wānaka, Hāwea, Hāwea Flat, Albert Town, Luggate and Queensberry.

Although this region has been vastly modified by humans over hundreds of years, many ‘biodiversity hotspots’ remain. Mou Waho Island – a predator-free sanctuary in Lake Wānaka; the kanuka-clad Mt Iron; the regenerating forest on the shores of the lakes, creeks and rivers. Patches of native beech forest cling onto steep mountainsides while ancient Podocarp trees hide away on the western side of Lake Wānaka. Incredible alpine areas tower over everything.

The region is home to at least 50 native bird species, which can be recorded via the eBird app. Thirteen species of endemic lizards (skinks and geckos) have been found here too, including alpine species. The invertebrate species are yet to be counted but are diverse and found from the lakes up to the mountain tops.

Local Groups

We work with many local groups and organisations: Albert Town Community Association, Hāwea Community Association, Luggate Community Association, Penrith Residents Group, Kirimoko Park residents, Lakeside Road Enhancement Group, WAI Wānaka, Cardrona/RealNZ, Wānaka Community Workshop, Bike Wānaka, EnviroSchools, NaturED, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird’s Central Otago Lakes Branch, Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and the Southern Lakes Sanctuary.

Southern Lakes Sanctuary

Wānaka Backyard Trapping is a consortium member of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust, established in 2021 with funding from the NZ government via the Jobs For Nature / Mahi mō te taiao programme. We are represented on the Sanctuary’s board of trustees by our Chairperson.

Our Community Engagement Coordinator position is funded by the Southern Lakes Sanctuary. Our trapping networks are being expanded due to generous support from the Southern Lakes Sanctuary and its team of staff.