At 10.00am on 31 August 2006 fifteen fencers on Maungatautari completed the final four metre section of the 47km Xcluder pest-proof fence around the forest edge of the mountain. It is the longest pest-proof fence ever built in New Zealand.

More than 850,000 staples, 50,000 battens, 8,500 three metre posts, 240km of high tensile wire, over 50,000 stainless steel rivets, 280,000 screws and nearly 100,000m² of the all-important fine stainless steel mesh were used in the total construction.

Introduced mammalian (warm-blooded) pests have played a large role in the reduction and extinction of many of our native birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants. Deer (several species), goats, pigs, possums, feral cats, hares, rabbits, ferrets, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, rats (3 species) and mice have all played a part in the decline of native plant and animal species. Even farm livestock and domestic dogs and cats pose a serious threat to many native species. These native plant and animal species evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and competitors and thus lack a natural capacity to defend themselves.

The conventional way to control pests in New Zealand is with aerial poison drops, poison bait stations, traps, and shooting - and still the pests come back.

We know that in many parts of New Zealand these methods are the current technologies if we want our native plants or animals to survive. No-one likes poisons or endlessly killing pests, but unless the site is an island protected by water, pest reinvasion is inevitable and ongoing pest control is the reality.

To achieve even partial control of pests requires blanket poisoning or intensive trapping at least every 3-5 years. For some native species to survive, pest numbers have to be reduced to virtually zero.

The Department of Conservation knows from experience in the Urewera Ranges, that even if there are just two stoats in 100 hectares of forest, no kiwi chicks will survive.

The vision for the Maungatautari Trust is to remove all the introduced mammalian pests from the mountain. The Maungatautari Trust has chosen a pest proof fence because it forms a permanent barrier to pests.