Predator Free milestone marked

Date:  30 January 2017

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry announced the establishment of the company late last year following the Government’s July 2016 announcement of its world-leading goal for a Predator Free New Zealand by 2050. 

The company’s role includes investing in high-value, large-scale predator control initiatives, scientific research into predator control, and attracting investment from the private sector, philanthropists and local government. 

Board Chair Jane Taylor says she is immensely privileged to work on a project that will bring such huge benefits to our native wildlife, agriculture and tourism. 

“The board members have been selected for their wide range of skills and cross-sector experience. Their leadership and guidance is vital for the success of Predator Free 2050.” 

The Government has committed an initial investment of $5 million per year in new funding to the company for large-scale collaborative predator control projects, based on the company attracting $10 million from other sources. 

An initial Government investment of $1 million into breakthrough scientific research on predator control and eradication will also be managed by the company, with the expectation of a $2 million match from other sources. 

Chair Taylor says one of the board’s first tasks is to appoint the company’s Chief Executive. 

“We look forward to collaborating with businesses, government agencies, communities and investors to deliver the innovations and attract the funding essential to achieve a Predator Free New Zealand.”

Predator Free 2050 Ltd Board and Conservation Minister Hon Maggie Barry
Top row (left-right): Gary Lane, Sir Rob Fenwick, David MacLeod, Arihia Bennett, Jeff Grant
Bottom row (left-right): Traci Houpapa, Jane Taylor, Hon Maggie Barry, Warren Parker

Predator Free 2050 Ltd Board

Chair

• Jane Taylor – Chair of Landcare Research Ltd and Chair of NZ Post, has extensive public governance experience and understanding of science investment.

Board members

• Sir Rob Fenwick – Chair of the Predator Free NZ Trust, has a strong grasp of the strategic vision for the company and the Predator Free 2050 goal, with extensive business experience, conservation networks and understanding of science investment.
• Jeff Grant – Chair of OSPRI, has extensive governance experience in both public and private sectors and is also well connected to the agriculture and tourism sectors.
• Gary Lane – Brings practical experience of pest management, alongside related investment decision making. He has built his own sanctuary fence around the Wairakei golf course and Sanctuary.
• Traci Houpapa – Chair of Landcorp Farming Ltd and of W3 Wool Unleashed Primary Growth Partnership, with strong governance and business skills. She is also Chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities.
• Warren Parker – Chair of New Zealand Conservation Authority, and retiring Chief Executive of SCION, has proven science and conservation credentials and science, industry and conservation relationships.
• David MacLeod – Chair of Taranaki Regional Council, a Director for Fonterra and PKW Farms; a successful businessman, and has iwi connections to Ngāti Mutunga / Ngāti Ruanui / Ngai Tahu / Ngāti Porou.
• Arihia Bennett – Chief Executive of Ngai Tahu’s Runanga, has strong connections to iwi, with a strategic and principled focus to deliver socially responsible outcomes.

About Predator Free 2050

Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious programme to rid New Zealand of three of our most damaging introduced predators – possums, rats and stoats – by 2050. It will deliver huge benefits for the social and cultural links with our environment, for our regional economies through primary industries and tourism and for our threatened native species.

Achieving this goal will require new technology and the coordinated and collective impact of individuals, communities, central and local government, iwi, OSPRI, philanthropists, non-government organisations, businesses, science and research organisations, and land owners.

DOC is the government agency responsible for facilitating the overall Predator Free 2050 programme, establishing Predator Free 2050 Ltd, and ensuring the public and private sectors are connected.

Aligning all the work currently underway towards a common focus will result in a programme investment estimated at more than $3 billion in the period to 2050:

• $70 million per year (or $2.4 billion over 34 years) currently spent on predator control by central and local government including $40 million by OSPRI, $10 million-plus by regional councils and $20 million in a normal (non-mast) year by DOC
• $7 million per year of new government money, leveraged by a further $10 million per year of funding from councils, businesses and philanthropists in additional investment in projects and research, totalling approximately $600 million in the period to 2050.

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