🌱 Meet Taane – A Young Conservation Champion

At the Motueka Sunday Market, MCC’s thematic group members had the pleasure of meeting Taane Mills — a passionate young trapper with a big heart for nature. He and his dad picked up a native tree from our stall and planted it straight away (check out the photo!).

But Taane’s conservation journey started earlier — during a camping trip to Murchison. At the Lake Rotoiti Visitor Centre, he picked up a free copy of The Practical Guide to Trapping. Back home, he found an old BT200 trap and began exploring Trap.nz, where he discovered the work of the Otuwhero Trust. That’s when the idea sparked: “I could make my own trapline in the bush.” And he did.

Now, Taane runs two traplines and is on a mission to help rid the valley of rats and support the Otuwhero Trust.
“I do it because I want to help the bush and the birds,” he says.
“I hope to make a real difference in the valley.”

He’s even made a YouTube video showing how to set up a trapline —  Check it out here

His advice to other young people keen to get into trapping?
“Join a local project. If you live near the bush, start a small track — then keep growing it.”

Taane’s story is a reminder that conservation starts with curiosity — and grows with action.