A project to rid Canterbury's Banks Peninsula of pests has reached an impressive milestone, partly thanks to a dog with a nose for hedgehogs.
Pest Free Banks Peninsula, a community-led group made up of councils, agencies and iwi, has removed hedgehogs from a 45 hectare containment zone on Kaitōrete Spit.
It's thought to be the first time it's happened on mainland New Zealand without a pest fence.
Niva Chittock reports.