Russell Landcare Trust traces its origins back to the late 1990s, when local residents. Lindsay Alexander, Helen Ough Dealy, Bob Frater, and Dianna Frater were independently trying to control predators on their parts of the Russell Peninsula. These efforts were inspired by their shared commitment to protect the region’s remnant kiwi population and the efforts of pest controller Laurence Gordon.

Russell Kiwi Group, an informal group, met regularly to start coordinating their pest control efforts. As their work gained momentum, it became clear that a more formal organisation was needed to secure funding and support from the wider community.

Following a public meeting and with the assistance of local solicitor John Gallie, Russell Kiwi Group became the Russell Landcare Trust, a registered charitable trust.

31 captive-bred North Island weka were released in Paroa Bay. Building an electrified fence augmented by traps at Manawaora helped slow pest invasion of the Russell Peninsula.

Following a public meeting and with the assistance of local solicitor John Gallie, Russell Kiwi Group became the Russell Landcare Trust, a registered charitable trust.

Russell Landcare’s specialist pest control project was set up in partnership with Living Waters-BOI and Bay of Islands Walkways Trust. A virtual fence of self-setting traps is set up across the peninsula at Manawaora Bay.

Russell Landcare Trust became officially involved in the nationwide Predator Free 2050 programme through the creation of Predator Free Russell.

2024 saw a dramatic increase in kiwi numbers recorded from 500 in 2016 to 2,200 in 2024, demonstrating the importance of continued pest control and habitat restoration! A huge milestone for the Trust.

Russell Landcare’s native plant nursery is a new venture for the Trust. This nursery is specifically designed to produce eco-sourced native plants that will help with wider community habitat restoration efforts.

Following significant efforts between the Trust and its stakeholders, we are happy to share our new strategy for the coming decade. This document is a roadmap to help us restore the mauri of the peninsula.

Mid-2025 saw the Trust achieve a huge win in predator control on the peninsula! Rats have been eliminated from 1000ha of our project area, and over 2000ha are now possum-free as well.

Since its founding, Russell Landcare Trust has grown significantly, undertaking numerous projects that have made a substantial impact on the local environment. From the successful translocation of North Island weka to ongoing habitat restoration efforts, the Trust continues to build on the legacy of its founders, working towards a predator-free Russell Peninsula where native species can flourish.

More than 20 years on, Russell’s kiwi populations are doing well, and rare species have been successfully reintroduced. The future is looking good with substantial ongoing pest control supporting the area’s flourishing biodiversity.