Enjoy the Bush, Protect our Birds

Join our volunteer predator control group, and help restore the Kaimai Mamaku.

What We Do

We maintain trap lines covering about 250 hectares of regenerating native bush surrounding the Pā Kererū loop walk at the end of Whakamārama Road, northwest of Tauranga.

Our traps, targeting possums, rats, mice, mustelids and other introduced species, are DOC approved instant kill devices that meet National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee standards. All our lures are non-toxic.

Formed in 2015, Friends of the Blade works with Whakamārama Community Inc., Bay Conservation Alliance and Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust. We are supported by the Department of Conservation, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, BayTrust and TECT.

Find Out More

Our Work by the Numbers

48

active volunteers

1,086

traps

4,108

predators removed in 2023 alone

4,000 +

volunteer hours a year

Get Involved

We welcome new volunteers and ensure they are supported by experienced members of the group and given training to become familiar with the traps, the trap lines and the necessary health and safety procedures prior to going solo on their own lines.

Volunteers are provided with all materials needed, and just require a good pair of boots and a moderate level of fitness.

You will be matched with a trap line that is appropriate for your fitness.

Stay Fit
Protect Our Birds
Enjoy the Bush
Make New Friends

Join Us

News & Events

Autumn Working Bee
A huge shoutout to the 13-strong crew of volunteers from Tauranga offices of the engineering company Vitruvius who turned out on Thursday, 21 March, 2024, to tackle some of the maintenance work that we never seem to get on top of. WeContinue reading “Autumn Working Bee”
Benefit Gig: Have fun, Help the Kaimai!
Envirohub’s ‘Sustainable Backyards’ organising team have pulled together a benefit gig to raise money for traps for our predator control work. Huge thanks to them for spearheading this — we’re very excited to take part, and hope all our readers,Continue reading “Benefit Gig: Have fun, Help the Kaimai!”
Innovations at the Blade
Readers of our newsletter (click here to subscribe) may recall from previous issues that since October of this year, volunteer Stu M has been trialing the use of canola cooking spray to keep his rat and possum traps free ofContinue reading “Innovations at the Blade”

To make a donation, please click the link below. You will be taken to our support partner, Bay Conservation Alliance’s website, from there, they will accept a donation on our behalf. All funds come directly to us!

Donate

You should receive a receipt immediately. If you have any questions about your donation, email admin@bayconservation.nz

Sponsors and Supporters

Friends of the Blade

We are an all-volunteer group formed to develop a pest free zone around the Pā Kererū walking track and the rest area known as The Blade, at the end of Whakamārama Road, 24km northwest of Tauranga..