A Hawke's Bay Urban Biodiversity (HuB) possum control operation is being undertaken on the northeast borders of Havelock North Village (rural areas including the flanks of Te Mata Peak) from February to June 2010. Hawke's Bay Regional Council contractors will do the work, while Hastings District Council will work on their reserve/park areas.  The aim is to reduce possum pests numbers to low levels with a combination of trap and bait stations, and using the support of local residents in the target area to carry on maintenance control.  This will help increase the number and diversity of birds, insects, lizards and plant life currently predated by possum pests.  A similar operation in Napier has resulted in bird life, plants and trees flourishing.