People are the Silver Bullet to Predator Free (with Dan Henry)

Written By Callum Armstrong

  • “People are the absolute silver bullet to this whole predator-free thing.”

    Dan Henry didn’t set out to lead a movement. But when he and a friend began handing out rat traps around their suburb of Miramar, something clicked. No committees. No red tape. Just a simple idea people could say yes to.

    Predator Free Miramar was born.

    Over the following 6 years, that idea helped turn an entire urban peninsula in Wellington into a predator free zone - strengthening not just local biodiversity, but the social fabric of the community itself.

    What started with backyard trapping is now a network of volunteers working alongside Predator Free Wellington to hold the line and push the vision further.

    Motivations varied. Some wanted more birds, others just needed a good night’s sleep. But the outcomes stacked up: healthier homes, new friendships, and stronger community resilience.

    From Darryl’s quiet leadership in social housing to trap boxes built in garages, this is conservation powered by trust, action, and momentum. As Dan puts it, “If the people want this badly enough, the pressure will come on and the politicians will listen and it will be funded.”

    So if you think conservation only happens in the bush, think again. Urban centres are key to a predator-free Aotearoa. And every person counts.

    • How a simple backyard trapping idea grew into Predator Free Miramar.

    • The importance of keeping things simple and fun to build long-term momentum.

    • What it takes to build trust and participation across a diverse urban neighbourhood.

    • Stories of unexpected local champions.

    • The wider impacts of backyard trapping.

    • Why mindset was important to achieve predator-free status.

    • The ongoing challenge of keeping Miramar peninsula rat-free.

    • Why urban neighbourhoods are key to a predator-free Aotearoa.

    • Tips for starting backyard trapping in your own community.

    • And much more…

  • Dan Henry is the driving force behind Predator Free Miramar, an initiative he co-founded in 2017 aimed at eradicating introduced predators from the peninsula. Under Dan’s leadership, this community project has blossomed from a small group of dedicated trappers to a thriving network of over 1,000 households, successfully removing more than 10,000 predators and allowing native wildlife to thrive.

    Dan’s hands-on approach includes personally delivering traps, training residents, and hosting community events, which has fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride among locals. His efforts have led to a remarkable resurgence of native bird populations and increased sightings of wildlife like mokomoko (lizards) and wētā. Working alongside Predator Free Wellington, Dan and his team of volunteers have not only eliminated rats from the Miramar Peninsula – a world first in an urban environment – but they have successfully maintained that predator-free status for more than a year.

    🔗Learn more:

  • The People Helping Nature podcast is brought to you by Conservation Amplified, a registered New Zealand charity.

    We are on a mission to help make conservation mainstream by amplifying the awesome stuff people are doing to help nature all around Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Because when people are aware, connected to the ecosystems around them and care enough to take positive action, only then will we see lasting change.

    Listen in and follow us to start or deepen your journey.

Callum Armstrong
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Kiwi and Pine: The Role of Forestry (with Craig Balsom)