Te Ranga School’s possum and pest hunt was rebooted last year and is on again this weekend.

The event began in 1998 as a pig and possum hunt, but until last year had not been held since 2019.

Its resurrection involved a refocus on conservation, kaitaikitanga (guardianship) and the native bush – although reducing pest numbers is still a key part of the fundraiser.

“It has always been grounded in conservation,” said Friends of Te Ranga School member Emma McGlashan.

“When it started in 1998 it was all about protecting the land from possums, but we are just trying to refocus and focus on the messaging of why we are doing it.”

Last year, there were displays from a range of conservation-related organisations, many of which are returning this weekend.

“There will also be all the fun games and races from years gone by that everybody expects as well as hot food,” McGlashan said.

Included in that will be the “killer hill” race in which children will run with range of weighted bags, representing the damage a possum can do through browsing in only one night.

Last year’s event was described in a “thank you” letter to supporters as “truly remarkable”.

More than 400 people attended and took part in games and activities and also received valuable insights on conservation through the diverse interactive displays.

The impact of the hunt is significant, and was last year estimated to have led to the preservation of more than 564,000kg of forest vegetation and provided 228,000kg of C02e benefits.

One new feature is a chance to hear about the school’s bush classroom with a tour at 9.30am.

The outdoor classroom is part of the bush corridor between Ōtānewainuku and Kaharoa forests, where there are major kiwi and kōkako projects.

The hope is that the corridor will become a “highway” for the endangered birds to move between the two forests.

Conditions will dictate what pests are caught, but there are hopes there will be not just possums, but also pigs, rats, stoats, wallabies and deer.

The gala that marks the end of the three days of hunting will be on Sunday at the school from 9am-noon.