$2M Boost to Double Wasp Control in New Zealand's Visitor Hotspots and Biodiversity Sites

Wasp control across visitor hotspots and priority biodiversity sites will double, backed by a $2 million International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy boost, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

Wasps are more than just a nuisance for visitors enjoying New Zealand’s fantastic outdoors – they have a major impact on native species and are also one of the most damaging insect pests in the country, costing our economy more than $130m annually, Mr Potaka says.

The IVL investment will mean Wasp Wipeout - which works with community groups by providing bait and technical expertise to control introduced German and common (Vespula) wasps - can spread into every region in New Zealand.

Whether it’s a beach picnic, a night out camping, or a day walk through stunning native bush, no one wants wasps joining them on their trip in the outdoors.

Wasp Wipeout has been really successful in those places it’s currently operating, with support from community groups like local NZ Deerstalkers and Fish and Game branches, tramping and mountain bike clubs, and Te Araroa Trails Trust.

But we know introduced wasps are an issue across the motu, and this funding boost means community groups will have the tools to tackle the issue at place.

Currently the programme, run by the Department of Conservation, treats about 30,000 hectares annually – mostly in South Island beech forests in Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast and Canterbury.

Through this extra funding, Wasp Wipeout aims to grow that coverage to 60,000 hectares, Mr Potaka says.

The money will also allow the programme to better plan and coordinate wasp control work and work with those developing new tools, technologies and research to control this difficult pest.

New Zealand has some of the highest Vespula wasp densities in the world. At some sites all you hear is the hum of wasps at the height of summer. This funding will help return the sound of the bush back to birdsong.

Note to editors: Wasp Wipeout uses vespex bait to target two of the five introduced wasp species in New Zealand (German and common wasps).

The new International Visitor Levy funding will provide $400,000 annually for the next five years.

Wasps eat important food sources for our native birds, bats, insects and lizards. They also eat a huge number of native insects and have even been seen killing newly hatched birds.

In some areas, wasp density can get to 12 nests, or 10,000 worker wasps, per hectare.

More information about Wasp Wipeout is also available here.