DOC has been working with pest control developer Connovation to develop and register a ready-made bait containing the toxin PAPP (para-aminopropiophenone), to which stoats are especially susceptible.

DOC Principal Science Advisor Elaine Murphy says the recent field trials were very successful. “Stoat detection was reduced by more than 95 per cent in the treatment areas following the hand-laid bait application, and no stoats were detected in the treatment areas after the two aerial trials.”

"This is an amazing result considering we only used one bait per 4-8 ha in the hand-laid trials and one bait per hectare in the aerial trials."

Also in this week’s outdoor news: Old Hooker Valley bridge parts being offered for sale, Australia’s epic new hike connects two Northern Territory icons, blindfolded and dropped in the middle of nowhere: new adventure race coming to Canterbury and more.

Missed yesterday’s feature? Is this hiking shoe the bridge between boots and trail runners?

Take a look at this week's most read articles at wildernessmag.co.nz.

Gear editor Mark Watson always has his ear to the ground for the latest new and interesting gear.

This month he’s found a sharp set of binos, a high-spec down sleeping bag and a new gear range that aims to remove barriers to the outdoors.

The six-bunk Slaty Hut was built in 1982 to replace a smaller 4-bunk located nearby. It was built by the NZFS. The hut is situated at the bushline, giving you views of mountain beech and tussock tops. It's on the TA route, but in the off-season, you'll likely find it quiet. In April 2026, the exterior was repainted.

The hut provided a refuge from a cold, stormy night for writer Shaun Barnett on this peak-hopping trip. About the hut, Shaun said, “An exquisite night was had at Slaty Hut around a warm wood stove.”

Have a hut you want to see featured? Send an email to [email protected] with which hut and why you’d like to see it featured.

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