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Kawau Island pest eradication proposal

​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

Pest free Kawau Island webinar

We held a webinar on the possibility of a pest free Kawau Island on 30 August 2023.

A panel of experts discussed the report and answered questions.

See Assessing the feasibility of a pest free Kawau Island to watch the full webinar.

We have also created a document that answers the questions we did not have time to address during the webinar.

How to submit questions and feedback

We want to know your thoughts on the proposal for a pest free Kawau Island.

Send your feedback and questions to kawauislandproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz by 21 September 2023.

Next steps

We will compile your feedback and present this to the proposal's governing group.

The decision on whether to go ahead with the project will be based on your feedback and the feasibility report.

 Related topics

 

 

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Pest Free Aucklandhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-we-do-to-help-environment/our-biodiversity-projects/Pages/pest-free-auckland.aspxPest Free AucklandGet involved in Pest Free Auckland, a community-led conservation initiative. aspxVolunteering
Projects on Hauraki Gulf islandshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-projects/projects-central-auckland/projects-hauraki-gulf-islandsProjects on Hauraki Gulf islandsThe islands of the Hauraki Gulf are an important environment feature of Auckland, but are also a permanent home to an estimated 10,000 people, and thousands more tourists and visitors.aspx
How we control pestshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/pests-weeds/Pages/how-we-control-pests.aspxHow we control pestsWe select pest control methods depending on the species and site. These may include traps, shooting, or toxins.aspxBiosecurity
How we protect the Hunua Ranges from pestshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-we-do-to-help-environment/our-biodiversity-projects/Pages/hunua-project-1080-pest-management.aspxHow we protect the Hunua Ranges from pestsFind out more information about the 2022 ground and aerial pest control operations in the Hunua ranges.aspxEnvironment
Identify pest animalshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/pests-weeds/Pages/identify-pest-animals.aspxIdentify pest animalsIdentify the pest before you start pest control.aspxBiosecurity