For anyone that hasn't seen a number of videos put together by one of the news channels by  Melanie Reid, it's worth a watch, some denied we had a building population, but it appears the penny has now finally dropped. Granted these are just pockets but given that they in or near townships, the options are limited for control. Punch in looming rabbit problem on face book & it should come up, well worth a look.

I remember as a kid going with my parents to visit a farmer relative over in the Wairarapa. I was eight or nine and remember the farm being somewhere alongside Lake Wairarapa.
His wife was home, and said her husband was up the hill with his neighbours doing rabbit control, so we walked the farm track and as we got closer to the lower slopes we could see ten or so men moving down the hill in a spread out line. Each man was beating on a tin and waving arms, and in front of them the hillside seemed to be moving ...... undulating - it was weird, didn't make any sense, but we could all see it.
We watched the men continue down the hill, then realised they were herding thousands of rabbits into a fenced area, two men at the rear closing the entrance to a large chicken wire enclosure.

Once all was closed, the men set about with clubs - and we moved away, it was a bit rough for us 'townies' .......... but that was around 1954 or 5.

And if I hadn't seen it - I'm not entirely sure I'd have believed it.

Edit -  looked online to see if I could find any mention of the above happening, and where and when.
And - I couldn't find any mention, but I did see what I did - and have a memory those men (farmers) went from farm to farm to deal with what was obviously a problem.

I remember we used dogs to "herd" them into fishing nets we had set up across the ground in Central Otago '72-'73.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/rabbits-its-as-bad-as-its-ever-been?fbclid=IwAR3...

In 1930, Rabbit Boards were set up with the stated view of reducing the rabbit population. People on unemployment were employed up and down the country to rid areas of rabbits and hares.
In 1955 the Rabbit Act was amended to allow the six South Canterbury Rabbit Boards to control wallabies.

In 1989, the administration of rabbit control was completely restructured. The Rabbit Boards were disbanded and Regional Councils took over the job.
Regional Councils then proceeded to publish some nice glossy booklets telling you what a rabbit is (with photos), and will offer advice to landowners on how to control them ...........

So - your Regional Council is now 'the wanker in charge' ......... of rabbits ........ and leaky sewage pipework 

Harry hare never worried me. Some farmers hate them esp when new trees are invoved. Dont breed like the rabbit. Sounds like a trip to Tekapo is in order. 😀

I'd be keen to help out lowering the numbers. Pretty hard getting access in the Mackenzie though. Owners may be changing their view if numbers are getting out of control.

Good to know HC. Does twizel doc do small game permits? Have had a few from Geraldine office but there's bugger all rabbits around in the area. Should add that I'm not looking for a job, just recreational.