112 | ON FARM » Summit Contracting Summit Contracting works New Zealand wide from Otago / Southland to the West Coast and Hawke’s Bay. Mitsubishi Parts and Service Proud to support Summit Contracting 24 Shannon Street, Alexandra Ph: 03 4488183 molyoffice@molymotors.co.nz Molyneux Motors (2001) Ltd At the pinnacle of pest control and conservation Kim Newth Te Anau and Alexandra-based Summit Contracting offers a variety of pest control and conservation services. Joe and Jennah Hughes, who founded Summit Contracting in 2018, employ a skilled team of 10 sharing a wealth of experience and a passion for biodiversity and conservation in New Zealand. Joe first started working in pest control some 15 years ago while Jennah’s background is in the education sector. Together, they have grown a business that is making a big impact. That contribution is set to expand further in 2025, with plans to recruit another five staff. “Some members of our team have been in the industry for several decades while others have come straight from school to effectively do their apprenticeship with us and learn the ropes,” says Jennah. Aiding the human team at Summit Contracting are their well-trained indicator and bailer dogs. Joe’s dog Sophie has a legendary knack for sniffing out possums. The pair have aided the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group to track downtheir most elusive possums including ‘Te Rauone bandit’, who was the last member of a remnant pest population near Taiaroa. Also on the canine team is a specialist wallaby dog named ‘Ru’. In the farm sector, Summit Contracting works New Zealand wide from Otago/Southland to the West Coast and Hawke’s Bay. “We contract as a part of OSPRI’s TB-Free programme that aims to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) in New Zealand. We undertake their possum control work and do ferret and pig surveys.” Summit Contracting also works directly with farmers to control and eradicate pigs, goats and deer on farms, as well as wallabies. “In Central Otago and around Alexandra, rabbits are often something that famers come to us for help with quite regularly too.” Equipment used on the job includes rifles, poisons and traps and the team’s fleet of light utility vehicles, two-wheeler motorbikes and four-wheel drive vehicles enable them to reach most places. “We’ll use a helicopter to reach really remote back country areas.” Technology such as their Health and SafetyFastFields app supports their team in the field and makes this part of their operation very accessible for all involved. Other aids include track cameras, smart collars for mapping dog movements and thermal imaging cameras and scopes. As a member of the Coal Island Trust over the past seven years, Joe has done a lot of voluntary work on Coal Island/Te Puka-Hereka in Fiordland to help remove predators and make it a haven for native species. The Summit team has also done track cutting work there and helped put in a helicopter pad and bivouac accommodation. An exciting milestone this year was the release of four male kakapo to the island to investigate its suitability as a possible future candidate for a larger breeding population. “Joe has loved being involved there – it’s one of those special places that’s close to his heart.” For Joe and Jennah, who have a young family, seeing the flow-on benefits of their pest control work is highly rewarding. “Its incredible to go back to some of the areas where we’ve been working and hear the increase in bird song.” Never change accountants again Grow and protect your farm’s legacy with our industry knowledge and team of specialists, supporting you through every season - today and for generations to come. Give us a call on or scan here to find out more 03 448 6899 Proud partners of Joe and Jennah at Summit Contracting.
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