Wellington wants to be the world's first predator free capital and a $3.27 million boost is coming to the region to achieve it.
The new funding from Government-owned charitable company Predator Free 2050 Limited was announced on Wednesday, to be shared between Predator Free Wellington and Capital Kiwi.
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"This is not a pipedream, the $3.27 million of funding Predator Free Wellington and Capital Kiwi jointly receive over the five years means the world's first predator free capital is within reach," said Predator Free 2050 Limited CEO Ed Chignell.
Miramar will be the first suburb to eradicate pests before moving on through the city and up to Porirua. Possums, rats and stoats are the targets with backyard trapping the first step to get numbers down.
Wellington City Mayor Justin Lester said residents had strongly indicated they want a predator free city.
"Wellingtonians want to see this happen, we have thousands of households already involved, across 43 of Wellington's 57 suburbs, backed up by more than 120 community groups," he said.
"A predator-free Wellington will support the continued flourishing of other native species now present in Wellington City, including kākā, tieke, kārearea, kākāriki and little penguin."
Mr Lester said the project will also allow for the translocation of kiwi back into the region and the return of other locally extinct species.
Wellington joins Taranaki and the Hawke's Bay as regions aiming to be pest free.
Newshub.
