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Possums and rats threaten native animal and plant species in the Hūnua Ranges.
In late October 2025 we completed an aerial 1080 pest control operation in the Hūnua Ranges. 1080 is a poison containing sodium fluoroacetate used to control pest species.
The area included:
Visit Our Auckland to read more about the pest control operation.
During pest control operations and six months afterwards:
If you think someone has been poisoned, call the New Zealand National Poisons Centre immediately.
Dogs are the most at-risk pets during a 1080-based pest control operation. Always supervise your dog in affected areas. Do not let them roam or eat animal remains. Consider using a muzzle.
If you suspect your dog has eaten 1080 poison, make the dog vomit immediately if possible and call your vet straight away.
For more information, check our dog protection fact sheet.
We follow strict guidelines set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
We will use a two-step process to make sure the operation is as successful as possible.
We will use two kilograms of cereal pellets per hectare. To manage the large area and protect water-supply reservoirs, we will divide the operational area into two blocks:
During the operation, we will:
Before we return the reservoirs to service we will test the water until sampling shows no traces of 1080.
During the operation, we will:
The parks will reopen after we carry out a full track-clearance programme. We will let the public know when we reopen the park.
During February and March 2025, we will contact people who have land next to the affected area.
Property owners and tenants can email the council project team at hunuaproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to:
This operation will be in water catchment areas, which requires careful planning and working closely with Watercare.
We will put measures in place to ensure the ongoing safety of Auckland's water supply, including:
We have done three aerial control operations in Hūnua, in 2015, 2018 and 2022.
Post-operational monitoring shows our previous operations were very successful.
The number of pest species reduced dramatically, with possum numbers at an all-time low in Hūnua since 2015.
Hūnua's kōkako population has also reacted well to pest control operations.
Population records show an increased number of kōkako:
Observe all information and warning signs. It is a criminal offence to remove signs or bait without permission.
Ground-based pest control will be in place on areas of parkland and some surrounding private land that was not treated during the aerial operation.
Always keep your dogs on a leash. This is a requirement within the park at all times.
A Controlled Area Notice is in place across the native forest area of the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park and adjoining DoC-administered lands. This is to protect against kauri dieback disease.
Use hygiene stations to clean and disinfect all footwear and equipment to ensure you do not carry any visible soil into the controlled area.
In 2011 the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released an independent report endorsing the use of 1080. Download the report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment website.
DoC also looks after large areas of parkland and uses 1080 to manage animal pests.
For more information on the use of 1080, see the DoC website.