In 2021, Otago Regional Council (ORC) responded to a community request to help facilitate coordinated rabbit management on public and privately-owned land in Albert Town from the Hikuwai Conservation Reserve along the Clutha River to the outflow of the Cardrona River. The objectives include determining which areas of Albert Town are particularly prone to rabbits and why, providing education about roles and responsibilities in relation to rabbit management, and offering guidance on effective rabbit management approaches.

In winter 2022, the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) carried out a rabbit control operation undertaken on public and Crown land from the Hikuwai Conservation Reserve along the walking track to the outlet of Lake Wanaka. ORC Biosecurity Staff conducted night counts of rabbits before and after the control operation and observed a significant reduction in numbers, particularly at the Albert Town end of the control area, around the Hikuwai Conservation Reserve. Additionally, DOC carried out improvements to the fencing around the Hikuwai Conservation Reserve, and QLDC installed rabbit fencing around Templeton Park.  

 By September 2023, of the 5 properties re-inspected, only a few were found to be compliant with the relevant rules in the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP).

In September 2024, the properties re-inspected remain non-compliant indicating that further work is still required to reduce rabbit numbers in the area. 

At the last round of property rabbit re-inspections in September 2025, two properties were found to be compliant while the remaining properties were non-complaint. 

As rabbit management remains an ongoing challenge, ORC will continue working with public and private landowners to monitor rabbit populations and take action before they reach the levels seen in recent years. ORC will also continue providing guidance on effective rabbit management options to landowners and occupiers in the Albert Town area.

We are confident that, collectively, we can improve rabbit management in Albert Town, with short term steps leading to long-term solutions. Continuous control is essential to maintaining or further reducing rabbit numbers.  

For more information about rabbits and available management techniques, visit www.orc.govt.nz/rabbits.  

Fencing

We have been promoting the installation of rabbit fencing as an effective measure to prolong the impact of any rabbit control work undertaken. These recommendations are supported by our observations in the field, which are that rabbit numbers are generally lower in areas where there is more rabbit fencing in place.

We continue to strongly recommend rabbit fencing as the first step in an effective, long-term, sustainable rabbit management plan. Even if it is not feasible to fence the entire property boundary all at once, strategic fencing along boundaries that are most prone to reinvasion can still go a long way towards keeping rabbit numbers down to a manageable level.

Tips for Smaller Properties

Our work to date has been focussed on properties greater than 5,000 m2 in size, but we are aware that rabbits on smaller properties are also contributing to the area’s problem. If rabbits are able to graze, hide or even just pass through these properties then there are measures that the property owner/occupier could take to contribute to the wider collective rabbit management effort. These measures include:

• Rabbit exclusion fencing
• Pruning the bottom of shrubs and hedges to reduce the amount of suitable shelter for rabbits
• Ensuring that any gaps under buildings and sheds are blocked to prevent rabbit access
• Removing any piles of wood, rubbish or vegetation that offer rabbits protection from the weather and predators

Control methods on smaller properties and in urban settings can also include the use of Pindone rabbit pellets in bait stations, fumigation of burrows (using Magtoxin) as well as follow up shooting (in appropriate locations) by experienced contractors. For more information on any of these methods please visit this webpage in the first instance and email or call if you have any further questions.

Email: biosecurity@orc.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 474 082

Please note that any toxic agents (i.e. Pindone and Magtoxin) must only be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions to minimise the risk of harm to children, pets, stock and native wildlife.

You can find more information about rabbits and available management techniques here.

If you would like further information, please contact biosecurity@orc.govt.nz.