The 300ha of land includes the 49ha Glendhu Bluffs Conservation Area and adjacent privately owned land, such as the exclusive Emerald Bluffs subdivision.
The tally of 696 pests eradicated by the end of December included 300 rabbits, 217 possums, 45 cats, 34 hedgehogs, 33 stoats, 12 hares, nine mice, five ferrets and some rats.
The work is being done by Doug Beech, of Matukituki Natives, who said ''pockets'' of rabbits attracted predators such as cats and stoats.
He described cat numbers as ''quite scary'' because he had cat traps on only one 40ha property. The cats became ''quite cunning'' and were difficult to catch once they became wary of a trap.
''I know there are a few around I still haven't caught.''
The biggest cat he had caught was a ''massive'' black one as long as the fish bin on the back of his bike.
''This one looked like a big bloody panther.''
''If the rabbits get down a bit [in number] they [other predators] then target the native birds even more. So it's a whole sort of vicious cycle.''
The work being done by Mr Beech is funded by the Longview Environmental Trust in conjunction with the Department of Conservation.
Trustee John May says he has already noticed a substantial increase in birdlife in the area.
The successful breeding by a pair of karearea (New Zealand falcon) was considered to be one example of the benefit of the pest-control work.
Falcon numbers are declining generally because of predation and a reduction in the size of their habitat.
