In September 2021, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) initiated the Moeraki Community Rabbit Management Programme. The objectives of this programme include identifying which areas of Moeraki are particularly rabbit prone and why, providing education about roles and responsibilities related to rabbit management, and offering guidance on effective rabbit management approaches.

In October 2021, the ORC conducted inspections and visits on 97 public and privately-owned properties, >0.5ha in size, in the Moeraki area to determine which locations are most affected by rabbits, which properties are managing rabbits effectively, and determine which properties require a greater level of control. This included several properties owned by Waitaki District Council (WDC) and the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Of the 97 properties inspected, 57 were assessed as compliant with the relevant rules in the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP). The ORC also conducted engagement visits with the remaining 196 properties (smaller than 0.5 hectares), within the programme area.

In November 2021, the ORC invited all property owners/occupiers to attend a community meeting and management plan workshop. This allowed neighbouring property owners and occupiers to discuss their rabbit management approaches and receive advice from ORC staff on control options. ORC staff also inspected the Kiwirail rail corridor during this time.

Following the meeting/workshop, the owners/occupiers of the 40 properties indicative of non-compliance were asked to submit a rabbit management plan detailing how they will effectively manage rabbit numbers on their properties. A total of 20 management plans were submitted, reviewed by ORC staff, and individual feedback was provided.

In October 2022, the ORC re-inspected 51 properties, including both those previously assessed as needing further control and some previously compliant properties. Of these, 13 properties were assessed as compliant with the relevant rules in the RPMP.

In October 2023, of the 37 properties re-inspected, 21 properties were assessed as compliant.

In October 2024, of the 17 properties re-inspected, 14 of these were assessed as compliant. We would like to acknowledge the considerable progress the Moeraki community has made over the last few years. Ka pai!

At the last round of re-inspections in October 2025, the remaining four properties re-inspected were assessed as non-compliant. This means that over the last four years of re-inspections, 96% of the 97 properties inspected were compliant upon their last re-inspection.

We would like to acknowledge that many of these properties are working towards compliance, and they have made considerable progress in developing long-term rabbit management plans.

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 throughout Moeraki 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 focused on properties greater than 5,000 m² in size, but we are aware that rabbits on smaller properties may also be 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.