New Zealand's conservation minister, Tama Potaka, has announced that feral cats will be added to the country's Predator-Free 2050 strategy, marking the first addition to the list since its inception in 2016. The goal is to eradicate feral cats by 2050, alongside other invasive predators like rats, stoats, and possums.
Feral cats, described by Potaka as 'stone-cold killers', are already culled in some areas but will now be subject to coordinated large-scale eradication programs and research. More detailed plans are expected in March 2026. Over 2.5 million feral cats roam New Zealand's bush and offshore islands, where they can grow up to a metre long and weigh 7kg, posing a severe threat to native wildlife such as the Southern dotterel and bats.
The inclusion follows years of campaigning and significant public opposition in the past. However, the Department of Conservation reported that 90% of feedback on its draft strategy supported feral cat control. Domestic cats, not included in the strategy, remain a contentious issue due to their impact on biodiversity. The SPCA and other groups advocate for humane control methods and national cat management legislation, including mandatory microchipping and desexing.
