Y9 Science: Ecology in Aotearoa

🎯 Predator Free 2050 Simulation

Te Whakatauira Kore-Kīrearea 2050 - Can you save our native species?

"He taonga te manu, me tiaki"

Birds are treasures, we must protect them

🇳🇿 About Predator Free 2050

In 2016, the New Zealand government set an ambitious goal: eliminate rats, possums, and stoats from Aotearoa by 2050. These introduced predators kill an estimated 25 million native birds every year.

In this simulation, you'll explore the challenges and trade-offs of achieving this goal. Can you make the decisions needed to give our native species a future?

🎮 Simulation Dashboard

$70M
50%
30%
15

Regional Pest Levels

Northland
🐀 78%
Auckland
🐀 52%
Waikato
🐀 45%
Bay of Plenty
🐀 63%
Wellington
🐀 38%
Nelson
🐀 22%
Canterbury
🐀 41%
Otago
🐀 18%
Southland
🐀 15%

📊 National Statistics

Overall Pest Level 42%
Native Bird Survival 68%
Forest Health 74%
Public Support 82%
Years to Goal ~28 years
Success Probability 45%

📅 Progress to 2050

2016 2025 2030 2040 2050
🥝
Kiwi
68,000
↑ +2% per year
🦜
Kākāpō
252
↑ Record high!
🦅
Kea
~4,000
↓ -1% per year

🎯 Learning Outcomes

Through this simulation, you will:

💭 Discussion Questions

  1. Trade-offs: Why might some people oppose 1080 drops even though they're effective? How do we balance effectiveness with public concern?
  2. Priorities: Should we focus resources on mainland or islands first? What are the advantages of each approach?
  3. Realism: Is "Predator Free 2050" actually achievable? What would need to happen?
  4. Innovation: What new technologies might help us achieve this goal? (Research gene drive, thermal cameras, AI traps)
  5. Kaitiakitanga: How does this goal reflect our responsibilities as kaitiaki of Aotearoa?

📈 Real Numbers to Know

👩‍🏫 Teacher Notes

Duration: 30-40 minutes including discussion

Key concepts: Population dynamics, conservation biology, ecological management, ethics in science

Sensitive topics: 1080 poison use is controversial - prepare for varied opinions. Focus on evidence-based discussion.

Extension: Have students research real predator-free projects (Zealandia, Tiritiri Matangi, Predator Free Wellington) and present findings.

📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot

Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions

Students will engage with this resource to build understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand's ecosystems, biodiversity, and the role of kaitiakitanga in environmental stewardship.

Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria

  • ✅ Students can explain key concepts from this resource using their own words.
  • ✅ Students can connect the content to real-world environmental contexts in Aotearoa.

Differentiation & Inclusion

Scaffold support: Provide sentence starters, word banks, or graphic organisers to scaffold access for students who need it. Offer entry-level and extension tasks to address a range of readiness levels.

ELL / ESOL: Pre-teach key vocabulary and provide bilingual glossaries where available. Allow students to respond in their home language first.

Inclusion: Use accessible formats. Neurodiverse learners benefit from chunked instructions and choice in how they demonstrate understanding.

Prior knowledge: Best used after the relevant lesson sequence. No specialist prior knowledge required for entry-level engagement.

Curriculum alignment