A colony of threatened tarāpuka (black-billed gulls) near the Charwell River bridge on Inland Kaikoura Road is receiving extra protection thanks to new funding from Environment Canterbury’s Kaikoura Water Zone Committee.

More than $9,000 has been allocated to hire a contractor to manage established traplines during the breeding season, helping to protect the at-risk birds from predators.

The site is one of only four known tarāpuka nesting areas in the Kaikoura and Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zones.

The trapping programme was set up last year by Environment Canterbury, Land Information New Zealand, and the Department of Conservation to improve breeding success at the site.

Biosecurity advisor James Schaap said the species, classed as ‘At Risk – Declining’, faces ongoing threats from predators. “One of the gulls’ main threats is predation from mammalian pests such as cats, stoats and hedgehogs,” Schaap said. “Trapping is a simple and effective way to help protect this precious species.”

The funding comes from the Kaikoura Water Zone Committee’s Action Plan, which supports projects that benefit the local environment and community. Each zone committee is allocated $50,000 annually to recommend funding for initiatives aligned with the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

Kaikoura’s Action Plan priorities include enhancing biodiversity, supporting kaitiakitanga, improving recreational outcomes, and building community understanding of local catchment systems.

The latest funding is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to protect the vulnerable gulls and ensure the survival of the colony.