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Audit a possum population monitoring
operation, and report results
level:
5
credit:
4
planned review date:
November 2007
sub-field:
Pest Management
purpose:
This unit standard is for people involved with auditing
possum population monitoring programmes carried out in
rural environments.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: audit a
possum monitoring operation for conformance with the
protocol, and contract requirements; and collate and report
results of audit.
entry information:
Recommended – Unit 22115, Prepare for a possum
population monitoring operation, and carry out field work;
and Unit 22116, Describe possum population monitoring
using residual trap-catch (RTC) index methodology; or
demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed moderation system has
been set up by the Primary Industry Training Organisation.
special notes:
1
Legislation and regulations relevant to this unit standard
include but are not limited to the: Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation,
and Compensation Act 2001, Hazardous Substances
and New Organisms Act 1996, Consumer Guarantees
Act 1993, Biosecurity Act 1993, Conservation Act 1987,
Local Government Act 1974, National Parks Act 1980,
Reserves Act 1977, Resource Management Act 1991,
Animal Welfare Act 1999, Biosecurity (National Bovine
Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy) Order 1998,
Wildlife Act 1953, and Wild Animal Control Act 1977.
2
Reference
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Audit a possum population monitoring
operation, and report results
National Possum Control Agencies, Possum population
monitoring: using the trap-catch method: protocol.
(Wellington: 2004). ISBN-0-9583736-0-4, (referred to
as ‘the protocol’).
The protocol is the nationally accepted standard for
possum population monitoring using the trap-catch
method.
3
Definitions
Non-conformance – failing to meet protocol, and
contract requirements.
Contract – the monitoring contract that the monitoring
contractor is engaged under. The contract will specify a
range of requirements that have been agreed between
the monitoring contractor and the principal or client.
The principal or client may be a local authority,
government department, or a private organisation.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Audit a possum monitoring operation for conformance with the protocol, and contract
requirements.
performance criteria
1.1
Audit of possum monitoring operation determines degree of conformance with
the field plan, protocol, contract, and legislative requirements.
1.2
Audit of landowner requirements determines degree of conformance with the
field plan, protocol, and contract requirements.
Range:
1.3
may include but is not limited to – consultation, feedback
recorded, equipment and materials removed after completion.
Audit of trap-lines identifies degree of conformance with the field plan, protocol,
and contract requirements
Range:
starting points in accordance with the field plan;
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PEST MONITORING
Audit a possum population monitoring
operation, and report results
compass bearings in accordance with field plan and + or - 15
degrees but line must be straight;
total line length in accordance with the protocol;
use of contingency line.
1.4
Audit of traps and lures in trap-lines identifies degree of conformance with the
field plan, protocol, and contract requirements.
Range:
approved trap used;
distance from perpendicular to mid point of lure - 15 cm + or - 5
cm;
vertical and horizontal height of lure in accordance with the
protocol;
lure in accordance with the protocol, and contract requirements;
evidence of possum capture cleared from traps;
correct number of traps per line;
backing at least 20cm high;
trap bedding stable and secure;
plate flat and dog facing tree;
anchor secure;
trigger plate level with trap jaws;
no guides, such as rocks or sticks, near trap;
no spilt lure on or around trap;
backing leaning boards used in accordance with the protocol, and
contract requirements;
trap-lines run, closed down, and restarted according to protocol,
and contract requirements;
no trap markers in a position to attract possums;
no dead animals closer than 5 metres to traps.
1.5
Audit of trapping schedule identifies degree of conformance with the field plan,
protocol, and contract requirements.
1.6
Audit of operational area identifies degree of conformance with the protocol,
contract, and legislative requirements.
Range:
traps checked within 12 hours of sunrise;
weighing scales present and capable of weighing 800g + or - 20g;
rain gauge in use, if required;
field data sheet entries accurate;
equipment in operational order.
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Audit a possum population monitoring
operation, and report results
element 2
Collate and report results of audit.
performance criteria
2.1
Audit results are collated from in-field observations of the possum monitoring
operation.
2.2
Non-conformances are identified from audit results.
2.3
Audit results are reported in accordance with contract requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if you
wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0052 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016