Chris Bishop
National List MP based in the Hutt South

Media statement

16 November 2016

Bishop backs Predator Free Hutt Valley

National List MP based in the Hutt Valley Chris Bishop will host a public meeting next week on the government’s recently announced goal of making New Zealand predator free by 2050. Signs advertising the meeting are up now around the Hutt.

“Introduced predators are the greatest threat to our native wildlife. Rats, possums and stoats kill 25 million of our native birds every year. In addition to ravaging our environment, these pests threaten our economy and primary sector, with their total economic cost estimated at around $3.3 billion a year.

“The government’s ambition is that by 2050 every single part of New Zealand will be completely free of rats, stoats and possums.

“This is a huge challenge, and one that will only be delivered by the public, private, iwi and community sectors working together.

“That’s why I’m holding this public meeting – to raise public awareness of this important goal, the benefits of reaching it, and to encourage more community conservation activity in the Hutt Valley.

“There’s outstanding predator control work already going on in the Hutt in the beautiful Rimutaka Forest Park, East Harbour Regional Park and Belmont Regional Park, led by dedicated community groups working alongside the public sector.

“If we are to reach the 2050 goal, we will need to lift our game. We’ve announced an initial investment of $28 million in a new joint venture company called Predator Free New Zealand Limited to drive the programme. This funding is on top of the $60 to $80 million already invested in pest control by the government every year and the millions more contributed by local government and the private sector.

“Speaking at the meeting will be

· Scott Simpson MP (Chair of Parliament’s Local Government and Environment committee)
· Kelvin Hastie, Predator Free Wellington champion
· Rob Stone, Department of Conservation
· Peter Cooper, Rimutaka Forest Park Trust
· Terry Webb, Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO)

Representatives from the Hutt City Council and Wellington Regional Council will also be present.

“My hope is that attendees will go away knowing much more about the Predator Free vision, and be inspired to take action and participate in this ambitious programme.

“Now is the time for a concerted long-term nationwide effort to rid ourselves of the introduced rats, stoats and possums that have placed so much of our natural heritage in jeopardy. Let’s get on and make it happen.”

ENDS

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