Wellington: New Zealand will add feral cats to its Predator Free 2050 target list in a bid to protect native wildlife, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said on Friday. Including feral cats in the Predator Free 2050 goal means stronger protection for local wildlife, better tools for communities, and less impact on farmers, families, and the economy, Potaka stated in a government announcement.

According to Namibia Press Agency, feral cats are now widespread across Aotearoa New Zealand, ranging from farms to forests, and they significantly threaten native birds, bats, lizards, and insects. Additionally, they spread toxoplasmosis, a disease that harms dolphins, affects humans, and causes livestock losses.

The policy emerges after a public consultation on the Predator Free strategy, which received nearly 3,400 submissions. More than 90 percent of these submissions supported improved feral cat management. By adding feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 target list, the government aims to enable national coordination of feral cat control. This will open Predator Free funding to projects targeting feral cats, boost research into effective and humane tools and technology, and strengthen efforts to protect threatened species across the country.

Potaka highlighted examples of the damage caused by feral cats, including the loss of over 100 short-tailed bats in a single week near Ohakune, a small town in the North Island, and the near-extinction of the southern dotterel on Stewart Island. The minister emphasized that domestic pets are not included in the target, underscoring the importance of responsible ownership, desexing, and microchipping. Further details will be provided in the revised Predator Free 2050 strategy, set to be released in March 2026.