A network of 565 stoat traps stretching 65km has been set though the interior of the Abel Tasman National Park to help protect native wildlife.
The trapping is being carried out by Project Janszoon - a partnership between the Department of Conservation and a privately funded trust - which aims to transform the park's ecology by 2042.
That marks the park's 100th anniversary and 400th anniversary of Abel Tasman's 1642 visit to New Zealand, Janszoon being the Dutch explorer's middle name.
The network of stoat traps is an initial step in creating a core upland protected area for native species over 4500 hectares around Canaan Downs and the Wainui Valley.
"The trap lines will initially help protect native wildlife in this area such as weka and kaka from stoat predation," Project Janszoon director Devon McLean said.
"When we are able to start reintroducing species in future years, it is intended they would be released into this upland protected area."
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