Pest free Kawau Island
We proposed the concept of a pest free Kawau Island as part of the
Regional Pest Management Plan 2020–2030 (RPMP).
When we asked Aucklanders for their thoughts on the concept in 2018, we received a lot of positive feedback. As a result, the proposal was included in the final RPMP.
What we have done so far
This is an ambitious proposal that needs robust community involvement.
We worked with Island Conservation to help assess the proposal's feasibility.
Island Conservation engaged with the community to discuss:
- potential benefits
- potential risks
- views and values of the community.
Feasibility report
A report assessing the feasibility of a pest free Kawau Island has now been completed.
The report was peer reviewed by:
- Island Eradication Advisory Group
- The Wallaby Technical Advisory Group
- Predator Free 2050
- Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
- Pohutukawa Trust.
The report is an interim step in an ongoing assessment and there will be further review points before a decision is made.
Key findings
- The majority of landowners and residents support removal of wallabies, rats, possums and stoats.
- Removal of invasive animal species would have a beneficial impact on Kawau Island's ecosystem and biodiversity.
- The risk to
non-target species will need mitigation.
- Preventing reinvasion will require community support and dedicated resourcing to meet the biosecurity challenge.
- We need to continue engaging with the local community on how they want to be represented and involved if the project proceeds.
Get a copy of the report
