In 2021, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) engaged landowner/ occupiers, from Portobello to Taiaroa Head, in the Otago Peninsula for a Community Rabbit Management Programme. The objectives of this programme include identifying which areas of the Otago Peninsula are particularly rabbit prone and why, providing education about roles and responsibilities related to rabbit management, and offering guidance on effective rabbit management approaches.

Between October-December 2021, ORC undertook inspections and visits on 37 public and privately-owned properties from Portobello to Taiaroa Head to determine which locations are most affected by rabbits, which properties are managing rabbits well, and which properties require a greater level of control.

A total of 28 properties inspected were assessed as requiring a greater level of control to be compliant with the relevant rules in the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP).Owners/occupiers of these properties were asked to submit a rabbit management plan detailing how they would effectively manage rabbit numbers.

In early 2022, ORC held a community meeting in Portobello to allow neighbouring property owners/occupiers to come together to discuss their rabbit management approaches, and ORC staff provided advice on control options. Around this time, further inspections were also undertaken on additional properties. Management plans were reviewed by ORC staff, and individual feedback was provided.

In October 2022, the ORC re-inspected 34 properties, including both those previously assessed as needing further control and some previously compliant properties. Of these, 15 properties were assessed as compliant with the relevant RPMP rules.

In October 2023, of the 22 properties re-inspected, only a few properties were assessed as compliant with the relevant rules. 

In October 2024, of the 26 properties re-inspected, 7 properties were assessed as compliant.  

At the last round of re-inspections in October 2025, a further 7 properties were assessed as compliant, and 8 properties remained non-compliant. This means that over the last four years of re-inspections, 78% of the 37 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 collaborating with neighbours to create long-term rabbit management plans.

Next steps

We have seen positive outcomes achieved by the community throughout the Otago Peninsula Community Rabbit Management Programme. As the programme has now reached its final stage, all properties in the programme that were non-compliant following re-inspections in October 2025 will progress to the compliance pathway. ORC will continue to work with the remaining 22% of non-compliant properties to reduce rabbit numbers.

For more information about rabbits and available management techniques visit 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 throughout programme areas where there is more rabbit fencing in place.

We will continue to promote and 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.