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Winter trapping efforts are continuing to make a difference across Cambridge, with another strong month of results from July. One increasing trend we are seeing is the increase in mouse catches. When rat numbers are reduced, local mice often become more noticeable. This is because rats and mice compete for the same food sources, and rats also prey on or displace mice. As rat populations decline, mice have fewer competitors and can temporarily increase because of this. To stay ahead of this we have expanded our trapping programme by adding mouse traps with our existing rat traps in our tunnel boxes throughout the community, hence seeing the increase in mouse catches. By having two traps in our tunnel boxes we are targeting both species together for better catch opportunities. Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

Moments like this are exactly why Aroha Cambridge exists. This beautiful Kererū was spotted during an early morning walk today near the corner of Alpha and Grey Streets, here in Cambridge. Captured by our co-chair Peter Russell with the slogan - "Kererū quietly contemplating Aroha Cambridge’s next public event." What taonga have you seen on your ventures out and about Cambridge and its surroundings? Let us know and drop a picture in the comments we would love to see! Our next public event on behalf of the Kererū is our Planting and Maintenance day at Te Puna Marama, Moonspring, on Saturday 15th August. We hope to see you there. Register via our website link in our BIO Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

One of the biggest challenges in conservation isn't just setting traps - it's finding the time to keep them serviced. Thanks to funding from the Waipā District Council Heritage Funding, Aroha Cambridge has now deployed 10 AT220 automatic traps along our Karapiro trapline, replacing the manual traps which previously required regular servicing. This particular trapline is one of our most time-consuming. It takes 20 minutes to walk across paddocks to reach the line, followed by over an hour to check every trap. By replacing manual traps with self-resetting traps, we've significantly reduced the time needed to maintain this area while ensuring predator control continues 24 hours a day. The results speak for themselves. In just the first week after deployment, the new traps recorded 68 rats and 7 possums, demonstrating just how active this area is and the value of continuous trapping. The impact goes beyond predator numbers too, in this change over we've freed up valuable volunteer time for one of our trustees and our shed manager, who previously dedicated many hours to the line, which they now redirect into supporting other Aroha Cambridge projects. A huge thank you to the Waipā District Council for investing in practical conservation solutions that not only improve trapping outcomes but also make better use of our volunteers' time. Every hour saved in the field is another hour that can be spent growing our impact for people, nature, and our community. Here’s a couple of pictures of the team (plus the hidden photographer) taken back in May when the deployment and removal took place. Thanks team! Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

It's what we have all been waiting for..... Our next Planting and Maintenance at our wonderful Te Puna Marama - Moonspring is on - Saturday 15th August 2026 9am to 11am, Bring the whanau, connect with other like minded people and spend a couple of hours getting in amongst it. RSVP to book your place via our website - link in our bio We look forward to seeing you there!

Congratulations to our Neighbours Predator Free Tamahere and Russell Gibbs who were recently acknowledged in the 2026 Waikato District Mayoral Awards, highlighting the extraordinary impact local volunteers continue to have on the community and its whenua! Congratulations!

Trap.nz and Adepty Questionshop Are you a volunteer needing further support on using our Apps - Trap.nz and Adepty. Or maybe you are a local backyard trapper using Trap.nz but need some help. We have 2 x Questionshops happening over the upcoming weeks. What's a Questionshop you might ask? Its a workshop but where you ask the questions and we work to give you the answers needed to get you going. This is a relaxed opportunity to get some support in person. RSVP via our website to claim your space! https://arohacambridge.nz/events

We had a great morning on Sunday, welcoming our volunteers and the public to our open morning down at our Aroha Cambridge Base. It's always a pleasure to be able to engage with our volunteers and the public in person. When the majority of our volunteers play behind the scenes roles which are also often solo, being able to connect in person allows for so many more opportunities to share. Connecting with the public at our open mornings gets one on one engagement with our team, answering those burning questions on the spot and sharing about all the awesome things we do. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! If you missed out on coming down to say hello and meet some of the team, keep an eye on our socials as we will be having another one as the weather warms up.

H5N1 Avian influenza (‘bird flu’) Bird flu has now been found in one wild seabird in Wellington. At this stage, there is no evidence that it has spread to other wild birds or poultry in New Zealand. The risk to people is low, and eggs and poultry meat are still safe to eat. Government agencies, councils, and the poultry industry are monitoring the situation and working together to reduce risks to wildlife, farms, and communities. If you see sick or dead birds and their faeces, please stay away, also please keep your pets away too. Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors. If you see three or more sick or dead birds or wildlife, report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline 0800 80 99 66. If possible, note the location, take photos or videos from a safe distance, and record how many birds are affected. Stay informed and stay alert, not alarmed. Check out our News article on our website, link in our Bio Image by Stephen Gast