Protecting Franklin’s Wildlife - Waiuku Leading the Way

Looking after our local environment is one of my top priorities. From improving water quality to tackling coastal erosion, we need practical solutions that work - and one of the best examples of community-led conservation is right here in Waiuku.

The Waiuku Predator Trap Library is helping locals protect our native wildlife by lending out traps to catch rats, stoats, and possums - the biggest threats to our native birds, bats and wildlife. It’s simple but incredibly effective: you borrow a trap like you’d borrow a book, set it up at home, and help reduce redator numbers in our area.

When I visited the Trap Library recently, I spoke with Jaide Boulton, one of their volunteers. Jaide is volunteering as part of her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, and she’s also a scholarship recipient for Outward Bound - proof that we have some incredible young leaders right here in Waiuku. I believe we should be doing everything we can to encourage and support young people like Jaide who are stepping up to help our community.

Initiatives like this are exactly why I’m so passionate about supporting grassroots conservation. Healthy native bush and thriving birdlife aren’t just nice to have - they’re part of improving our waterways, protecting our coasts, and making sure future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty we do.

If you want to make a difference, check them out on Facebook or at www.waiukutraplibrary.myturn.com - and if elected to the Franklin Local Board, I’ll be a strong advocate for community-led projects like this, making sure they get the support they need to keep delivering results for Franklin.

Because protecting our local environment isn’t just up to “someone else” - it’s something we can all be part of, and groups like the Predator Trap Library are showing just how much we can achieve when we work together.