Connect, learn, and be inspired to protect nature in the Top of the South

Join us for a free community event bringing together people who are passionate about trapping, conservation, and protecting our region’s extraordinary biodiversity. This is a chance to connect with the Top of the South trapping community, share stories from the field, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another.

Build your skills and confidence through a series of hands-on workshops and expert speakers, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, deepen your understanding, and pick up practical tips you can take back to your own group or project.

Come together with community groups from across the region who are working to monitor and protect different species. Share successes, discuss challenges, and be inspired by the collective mahi underway to help create a predator-free future for our taonga species.

Everyone is welcome—whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience. Let’s learn, connect, and make a difference together.

Keynote Speaker
Darren Peters (developer of the DOC series traps) - Conservation trapping in NZ. How we got here.
James Muir (DOC Principal Conservation Technology Advisor) - Remote networks for monitoring and trapping with new advancements in technology.
Graeme Elliot (ONZM/ Principal Science Advisor/ Predator Science Team) - Coastal Bird Monitoring and ID.

Workshops
Briar Cook (TDC) Backyard trapping and halos
Nick Sparks (Kumanu Environmental) - Monitoring your pests and taonga
Barry Burger- (Farmers for Whio) - Trap calibration, maintenance and set up
Ivan Rogers - Animal behaviour and effective trapping
Hayden Steel - NZ Autotraps AT220s


Please follow the above link to register and let us know your preference for workshops and any dietary requirements for catering.
People will have the chance to attend 2 workshops, and we will try to accommodate preferences but may need to manage numbers.

Lunch will be provided so registration is essential for this free event.

Let us know if you have questions you would like answered or topics you would like cover during day and we will do our best to accommodate.

Doors open at 9 for a 9.30 start.
Bethany Park, 88 Martin Farm Rd, Kaiteriteri

This event is a combined event with Predator Free 2050, TET, NCC, TDC and DOC as part of Conservation Week 2026