• Pests numbers down - possums to 0.17 per cent, rats to 0.83 per cent
•  Wildlife wins - kōkako thriving, forests recovering 
• Hunua reopens - dogs back, caution lifted

The caution period in Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges Regional Park will be lifted from Monday 9 March, nearly four months after Auckland Council’s final 1080 pest control application for 2025. This marks the fourth successful aerial operation in the Hūnua Ranges over the past decade.

A caution period is one of the operational requirements following a pest control operation, designed to remind visitors of the work that has been carried out and that baits, and animals that have consumed bait, may be present.

Monitoring has confirmed all bait and carcasses have broken down, with lab tests showing no detectable 1080 residues. Optimal summer conditions accelerated the process, allowing the park to reopen sooner than expected. Warning signs have been removed, and dogs can now be exercised in accordance with on-leash and designated off-leash areas.

Auckland Council’s Project Manager Miranda Bennett says the weather played a key role in bait breakdown.

“The caution period has helped keep dog owners vigilant, ensuring their pets are safe while enjoying the park. With results exceeding expectations, our native bush and wildlife now have the space to thrive.”

Post-operation monitoring shows outstanding results, with possum numbers dropping to 0.17 per cent and rats to 0.83 per cent, well below the targets of 2 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. These reductions are critical in supporting native birds, including kōkako, kererū, and kākā, during their breeding season.

Chair of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee Chair Richard Hills says the results show what’s possible when science, careful planning, and long-term commitment come together.

“The Hūnua kōkako population is now thriving, with 259 pairs, and this pest control work helps ensure these species are protected for future generations.”

The 2025 operation treated 19,885 hectares with aerially applied 1080, plus 130 hectares of ground control across 22 private land parcels. Volunteers and council staff cleared 855 km of tracks and roads, ensuring safe public access. Watercare’s Cosseys and Mangatangi dams have also been returned to service following water testing.

Funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, the Hūnua Project demonstrates Auckland Council’s commitment to pest-free, resilient forests and the recovery of threatened native species.

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