Wānaka Backyard Trapping, a community-led initiative dedicated to protecting Wānaka’s native wildlife, has rebranded as Predator Free Wānaka.

The name change reflects the organisation’s ambition to create a “predator-free halo” across the Upper Clutha region, Predator Free Wānaka chair Guy Kennedy said.

Guy said the change highlights the organisation’s commitment to fostering a thriving environment for native wildlife, helped by its membership of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary.

Guy Kennedy

The move also aligns the group with the national Predator Free 2050 initiative. 

“We felt we’d outgrown the Wānaka Backyard Trapping name,” Guy said.

“Most of the trapping work we do is done at scale and on public QLDC [Queenstown Lakes District] and DOC [Department of Conservation] land.

“We felt a refresh of the name and logo would demonstrate our ongoing commitment and enthusiasm to predator control in the Upper Clutha.” 

The rebrand comes with a renewed focus on community engagement and expanding efforts to combat invasive predators in both urban and rural areas, Guy said.

Members are encouraging residents and businesses across Wānaka to get involved by participating in trapping programmes, volunteering other skills, or supporting the initiative through donations.

Predator Free Wānaka is a community-driven initiative committed to reducing invasive predators and restoring Wānaka’s native biodiversity through education, resources, and collaborative action.

Find more information about Predator Free Wānaka here.

PHOTOS: Supplied