Totara Reserve Pest Plant Control Contract

⁠⁠⁠Horizons Regional Council are seeking experienced contractors to undertake pest plant control within Totara Reserve as well as a private land buffer zone.

The control program aims to protect and enhance the native ecosystems in and around Totara Reserve, by protecting the forest from pest plant threats.
There are two specific areas in the contract
Totara Reserve Regional Park is a 346 ha reserve managed by Horizons Regional Council. The Reserve is largely tawa, titoki, podocarp forest (WF3) which is a critically endangered ecosystem type. There is also an area of rata, tawa, kamahi podocarp forest (MF7-2) at the eastern end of the Reserve, near the Fern Walk. The Reserve is bounded to the west by the Pohangina River. Pohangina Valley Road runs along the eastern boundary of the northern half of Totara Reserve and cuts through the southern section of the reserve. The long and convoluted shape of the Reserve, creates a large edge effect.

The buffer zone around Totara Reserve is predominantly agricultural with some areas of regenerating forest. The Ruahine Forest Park is 3.1km to the east at its closest point.
Contractors must have a proven track record in the management and implementation of pest plant control operations within situations as mentioned above, and have all necessary equipment to undertake the work to a high standard.