Media release

9 October 2014

Council agrees to new approach to pest management in Hunua Ranges parklands

At its meeting on 9 October 2014, Auckland Council’s Regional Strategy and Policy Committee decided in favour of a proposal to manage pests in the Hunua Ranges using sodium fluoroacetate (1080).

The proposal outlined the effect of significantly increased rat, possum and stoat numbers in the Hunua Ranges parklands and the limitations of current pest control methodology in managing high pest numbers. It particularly noted the impact this will have on the breeding success of threatened species and damage to the forest canopy.

Committee Chair Councillor George Wood says this is a landmark decision for the future of the Hunua Ranges, and not one that was taken lightly.

“This was not an easy decision and one in which we considered a wide range of views and opinions.

“We have drawn on the experience of other agencies and the expertise of scientists from across New Zealand to make a decision that confronts a very real threat to the Hunua Ranges.

“Throughout this operation, Auckland Council will be looking very closely at the science and the practical implications of the use of 1080 – we will take these learnings to control pests and ensure that our bush and native wildlife is preserved for the future.

“Council has a responsibility on behalf of the people of Auckland to get this work underway,” he says.

This decision is site specific, applying to the Hunua Ranges only. Officers will now begin work on the operational plan, which includes seeking approval from the Medical Officer of Health, obtaining independent peer reviews, and setting down a timeframe for the operation. The operation will be carried out in mid-2015.

Council will continue to engage with iwi, local residents and landowners, key stakeholders and interest groups as it develops this plan.

“The decision has been made and councillors have provided some direction for officers, they will now turn their attention to planning the operation – the future of the Hunua Ranges will be a hot topic for discussion for some time to come,” he says.

Ends

The vote was passed 17 for, two against.

About the Hunua Ranges

• The Hunua Ranges Regional Park covers 17,000 hectares.

• It includes the 1,100 hectare Kokako Management Area (the last naturally occurring kokako population on the mainland, with 55 breeding pairs); is home to native bat and Hochstetter’s frog populations and is free from kauri dieback disease.

• The four dams in the Hunua Ranges water catchment area provide around 65 per cent of the region’s water supply.

• Visitors enjoy tramping, mountain biking, recreational hunting and visiting the picturesque Hunua Falls.

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