Ōtākaro Urban Trapping Project

The Ōtākaro Urban Trapping Project is a dedicated, community-driven initiative focused on restoring the surrounding urban areas of the Red Zone (including Red Zone leased areas) and enhancing the biodiversity along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Our work is pivotal in transforming this area into a thriving natural space for future generations.

Since 2022, our passionate network of over 20 local volunteers has been working tirelessly to maintain over 150 traps across the urban area along the red zone. By targeting and removing invasive predators such as rats, stoats, and hedgehogs, we've successfully removed over 1,000 pests. This effort is helping to create a safer and more sustainable environment for native wildlife to flourish once again.

As a result, we’re witnessing the return of iconic New Zealand species & te aitanga pepeke, including pīwakawaka (fantails), riroriro (grey warblers), and even the occasional kōrare (kingfisher)—signs of hope and regeneration in the corridor.

With the invaluable support of Give a Trap and our broader community, this project is not just about protecting wildlife; it’s about restoring the natural balance in one of the most important urban corridors in Ōtautahi.

Join Us in the Restoration Effort

We’re always looking for more volunteers and local households to get involved and help expand our trap network. Every trap placed is another step toward a predator-free, restored urban corridor.

 Want to get involved?
 Email: [email protected]
 Phone: 027 808 0693

Together, we can restore and protect the Red Zone and the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor—creating a vibrant space where our native species can thrive.

The planned outcomes for our project are:

-To increase populations of native birds (e.g. Tui) and other wildlife in the surrounding of the red zone/green spine of Christchurch

-Improve breeding success for the native birds by controlling the rat population 

-Building support from local landowners, community and schools

-Creating a corridor of safe habitat for native birds