Inside a school’s student-led trap line initiative

Student journalist Jessica He meets a Rangitoto College student dedicated to creating a safe habitat for local flora and fauna.

Ethan Wang is a Year 11 student at Rangitoto College who has made a remarkable difference to the school’s Centorian Reserve Trapline in the past year through his work as a Youth Leader with Te Hōnonga a Iwi.

Ethan began work on the trap line in August of 2024, joining the Rosedale restoration’s conservation efforts because of his dedication to the local ecosystems and care for New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.

He believes it’s imperative for the public to take action to prevent future generations from being denied of earth’s natural wonders, noting that “even just a little help” would make an impact on the health of native bushes.

This was a key motivator that inspired him to begin his project, alongside his belief that creating a safe habitat for species to thrive is crucial in maintaining New Zealand’s high level of endemic biodiversity.

The purpose of his work at the Centorian Reserve is to contribute to the creation of a network of traps across the Albany Basin to prevent pests from entering high priority areas with already planted native species. The traps will reduce the threat to New Zealand’s birdlife, so it is vital for such methods to be undertaken to protect the entire region.

Despite it being Ethan’s first time managing traps, he made significant progress in his work. Predator traps play a key role in maintaining ecological balance, as invasive species can disrupt habitats and increase competition for resources, making this student’s job highly important.

Though setting up traps may sound simple, as a trapline leader, Ethan’s tasks extend beyond simple construction. Traplines require regular check-ups and maintenance to ensure all traps are working correctly and the bait is fresh. Another step is recording rat capture data and uploading new information to the Trap NZ app - this not only helps Ethan track his progress but also influences the future of pest eradication in New Zealand.

One of the highlights of playing a role in conservation is the sense of fulfilment and achievement that putting in the effort brings. Ethan enjoys seeing tangible results during his trap check-ups, and, as he gains experience in this field, he becomes more confident in the number of rats he will catch each time.

Hard work always pays off, and Ethan’s trap line work acts as a clear testament of the success of the many projects happening at Restoring Rosedale Park.

However, even though the results of Ethan’s project are very promising, challenges still inevitably arise. Being a Year 11 student means having to juggle extracurriculars and schoolwork, which at times becomes difficult and tiring, making time management a key obstacle for Ethan. Additionally, Auckland’s unpredictable weather poses another issue, often disrupting plans for the trap line. Nevertheless, he continues to demonstrate commitment and dedication, which is one of the key traits shared by all of Te Hōnonga a Iwi’s youth leaders.

Working on the trapline has encouraged Ethan to think deeply about nature, as he gains knowledge about the effects of invasive species on native wildlife. He says the most rewarding aspect of his project so far has been the thought that his trapline has “directly contributed to ecosystem recovery” though “empowering younger students to join conservation efforts” was also an aspect that stood out to him.

“I will do my best to protect the environment,” he says.

Currently, Ethan is in the last step of training 13 students who will helping with trapping through Centorian Reserve and Windsor Park.

For students interested in doing similar work, Ethan highlights that safety comes first, so wear gloves and avoid touching dead rats. He also recommends baiting smartly by using peanut butter.

Ethan’s work as a youth leader at Te Hōnonga a Iwi demonstrates how the younger generation can take a role in conserving native ecosystems. His work has already impacted several students who have begun helping out, and there is no limit to the strength today’s youth offer in combating environmental concerns.