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2023 News

  1. The naming of cats

    Fans of the musical [Cats] will know that the naming of cats is a difficult matter, and that cats have three different names. The same is true of cats in New Zealand – there are three types: companion or pet cats that live with people and rely on them for their welfare, stray cats that may rely only...

  2. Natural enemies take charge in weed biocontrol

    The sheer number and potential impacts of weeds in Aotearoa New Zealand are staggering. At least 1,800 plant species are naturalised, and more than 350 are considered environmental or productive-sector weeds. 

  3. Weed busting success in Rarotonga

    There was a satisfied sigh across Rarotonga recently. Two visits by Manaaki Whenua researchers to the Pacific island had revealed that the natural enemies introduced over the past few years to attack various weeds were all performing, or beginning to work, as expected. 

  4. Understanding weeds powers future research

    While Aotearoa New Zealand positions itself as a global leader in battling pest species, our research teams focused on weeds understand that effective weed management relies on bringing information and people together. This is often only achievable through good underpinning data and longer-term coll...

  5. Native reforestation: standing our ground

    Native reforestation on marginal agricultural land has the potential to contribute to both climate adaptation and mitigation. Native forests are known to be resilient stores of carbon and are resistant to extreme climatic events – an increasingly important component of Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate...

  6. Beyond Myrtle Rust: final meeting for a collaborative programme

    The BMR programme recently held its fifth & final AGM, celebrating all the hard work done over the past 5 years.

  7. Using animal behaviour to eliminate the last survivors and achieve predator freedom

    Why are some stoats able to evade traps and other devices intended to eliminate these invasive predators?

  8. Creating “cultural licence to operate” in pest control

    Key to making research programmes successful is ensuring we have the social and cultural licence to operate says Kairangahau Māori Mahuru Wilcox.

  9. Graphic illustrations tell rats’ tales

    Finding ways to share research so it cuts through a cluttered media environment is an ongoing challenge. Researcher Dr Jo Carpenter has embraced a growing demand for graphic illustrations to tell stories, and has turned her most recent research findings visual.

  10. Tracking vertebrate pests using landscape genomics

    The challenge in keeping an environment free of predators is to make sure any remaining populations of animals in other areas don’t reinvade. For Manaaki Whenua’s genomics researcher Dr Andrew Veale, this means making use of technology to ensure researchers understand how predators move around their...