
Pests and Predators
Levels 3 and 4

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Biological Environment: Recognise and explain the changes undergone by species (especially those of Aotearoa) over long periods of time.
Te Taiao: Ka āhukahuka, ka whakamārama i ngā panoni o ngā momo koiora (me ngā mea motuhake o Aotearoa), o neherā tae noa ki tēnei wā.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 3
Students can research and describe how living things have become endangered or extinct.
Social Sciences: How and why people make and implement rules and laws eg. Noise control legislation

Related Topics
Resources

Animals have an amazing ability to adapt to their environment. This lesson plan teaches students about camouflage, a valuable advantage in the survival of a species.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Animal Camouflage
Science Kids
Animals have an amazing ability to adapt to their environment. This lesson plan teaches students about camouflage, a valuable advantage in the survival of a species.

In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Aotearoa and Conservation
Kids Greening Taupō
In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.

Let’s delve into the realm of the Atua Tāne Mahuta and find out who’s living in
your yard. Let’s find out what they eat and what their tracks look like.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Backyard Tracker
Whenua Iti Outdoors
Let’s delve into the realm of the Atua Tāne Mahuta and find out who’s living in
your yard. Let’s find out what they eat and what their tracks look like.

Our first Bug Corner feature looks at Chrysomelidae or leaf beetles. Learn more about these insects, and why and how they are being used as “biocontrol”, a type of pest control method.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Bug Corner – Leaf beetles
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Our first Bug Corner feature looks at Chrysomelidae or leaf beetles. Learn more about these insects, and why and how they are being used as “biocontrol”, a type of pest control method.

We want you to get behind pest control, but safety first! A trapping tunnel is a box you put your rat trap inside, to protect you, young members of your family, and your pets.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Build a Backyard Trapping Tunnel
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
We want you to get behind pest control, but safety first! A trapping tunnel is a box you put your rat trap inside, to protect you, young members of your family, and your pets.

How climate change is affecting Canterbury is what this booklet is all about. We investigate what it will mean for you, your family and friends, and the natural environment.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity Book
Canterbury's Changing Climate: an educational resource for schools...
Environment Canterbury
How climate change is affecting Canterbury is what this booklet is all about. We investigate what it will mean for you, your family and friends, and the natural environment.

Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
Centipedes Poster
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.

This article investigates the use of bio-control agents – insects or other organisms that are imported to manage plant pests. The article explains why they can be safer than chemical-control agents. It then investigates the research and trials that have to take place before a bio-control agent is allowed into the country and the constant monitoring that is required to make sure that these new immigrants are doing the work they have been imported to do.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2011 Level 3: ‘A Helpful Immigrant’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article investigates the use of bio-control agents – insects or other organisms that are imported to manage plant pests. The article explains why they can be safer than chemical-control agents. It then investigates the research and trials that have to take place before a bio-control agent is allowed into the country and the constant monitoring that is required to make sure that these new immigrants are doing the work they have been imported to do.

This article describes an environmental decision that had terrible consequences. In the late 1800s, ferrets, stoats, and weasels were introduced into New Zealand to get rid of rabbits. However, these mustelids caused unforeseen destruction. They didn’t eat only rabbits – they discovered that New Zealand’s native animals and birds were very easy prey.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2011 Level 3: ‘It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article describes an environmental decision that had terrible consequences. In the late 1800s, ferrets, stoats, and weasels were introduced into New Zealand to get rid of rabbits. However, these mustelids caused unforeseen destruction. They didn’t eat only rabbits – they discovered that New Zealand’s native animals and birds were very easy prey.

This article describes the systems and technologies that have been developed to prevent unwanted pests, diseases, and goods coming into New Zealand and to prevent precious taonga such as native species being smuggled out of the country.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2011 Level 3: ‘Protecting the Border’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article describes the systems and technologies that have been developed to prevent unwanted pests, diseases, and goods coming into New Zealand and to prevent precious taonga such as native species being smuggled out of the country.

We had a cat once that killed rats, mice, a stoat, skinks, wētā, and some birds. I know, because I saw them dying, and I saw them dead. Perhaps pet cats should be kept inside.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2013 Level 4: ‘Keep Your Cat Inside’
Ministry of Education NZ
We had a cat once that killed rats, mice, a stoat, skinks, wētā, and some birds. I know, because I saw them dying, and I saw them dead. Perhaps pet cats should be kept inside.

Use these resources to learn about conservation dogs, biosecurity, Predator Free 2050 and how to take conservation action in your local community.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Conservation Dogs Programme education resource
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
Use these resources to learn about conservation dogs, biosecurity, Predator Free 2050 and how to take conservation action in your local community.

This resource provides ideas and learning experiences to enhance the native and endemic biodiversity in your green space.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Enhancing biodiversity in your green space
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
This resource provides ideas and learning experiences to enhance the native and endemic biodiversity in your green space.

This activity encourages students to explore various aspects of complex issues. It encourages students to consider the interaction of science and diverse community views.
Level
3-4
Type
Activity
Establishing priorities for solving problems
Ministry of Education NZ
This activity encourages students to explore various aspects of complex issues. It encourages students to consider the interaction of science and diverse community views.

In this episode of Ranger Kōrero – the big picture, ranger Aroha explores the meaning of conservation in Aotearoa and what that means for us and our taonga species.
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Exploring conservation
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
In this episode of Ranger Kōrero – the big picture, ranger Aroha explores the meaning of conservation in Aotearoa and what that means for us and our taonga species.

A series of posters to support learning about Auckland's unique animal life, and to encourage outdoor exploration.
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
Fabulous facts about Auckland's wildlife
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
A series of posters to support learning about Auckland's unique animal life, and to encourage outdoor exploration.

It’s Old Mac Science Guy’s “Farming” show, E-I-E-I-O.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhKkSCxgels&list=PLC1A0KOYvlM7HWpQfsCu2z-PkwUHfn10S&index=5
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Farming
Bill Nye The Science Guy
It’s Old Mac Science Guy’s “Farming” show, E-I-E-I-O.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhKkSCxgels&list=PLC1A0KOYvlM7HWpQfsCu2z-PkwUHfn10S&index=5

‘Te aitanga pepeke’ (the insect world) is the Māori phrase for insects and other creatures that have similar features: four or more legs, appear to sit in a crouching position, and some can leap or jump. The pūngāwerewere (spider), pepe pūrerehua (butterfly/moth), uruururoroa kapokapowai (dragonfly), rō (stick insect), and wētā all belong to this group.
Level
1-4
Type
Te Reo Māori
He aha tēnei pepeke? What is this bug?
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
‘Te aitanga pepeke’ (the insect world) is the Māori phrase for insects and other creatures that have similar features: four or more legs, appear to sit in a crouching position, and some can leap or jump. The pūngāwerewere (spider), pepe pūrerehua (butterfly/moth), uruururoroa kapokapowai (dragonfly), rō (stick insect), and wētā all belong to this group.