News

NZ's big pest bust: how do we kill the last survivors?

1/10/2019

Scientists have begun investigating how to wipe out the last surviving pests in New Zealand's bold bid to rid itself of rats, stoats and possums by 2050.

A new $7.5 million programme, led by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research scientists, aims to overcome what's long been a headache for predator-busting efforts – how to eliminate that final 5 per cent which manage to hang on.

Kōkako singing after 1080 court case

18/9/2019

After a court battle and a controversial 1080 drop last year, Kōkako’s haunting calls are returning to Hunua Ranges

Normally the fight to keep Hunua's kōkako alive is waged in native bush. Last year its fate was fought for in an Auckland courtroom.

Massive beech mast boosts rat population in northern Ruahine Forest Park

14/8/2019

The rat population in a piece of pristine bush has exploded thanks to a plethora of beech tree seeds, forcing the Department of Conservation to make a 1080 drop.

But the glut of food means it can be difficult to get rats to eat the poison.

DOC opts for more intense 1080 programme after rat population shows resilience to initial 'mega mast' drops

6/8/2019

The Department of Conservation is concerned after a higher percentage of rats than expected have survived the first 1080 drops intended to battle this years "mega mast".

This year's build-up of the rat population in New Zealand forests can be attributed to unusually high seed production, called a mast, experts have said.

Aerial 1080 to drop in lower South Island as rat plague threatens endangered bird population

16/7/2019

A rat plague is expected to explode through Southern Lakes and potentially wipe out vulnerable birdlife.

Predator Free 2050: New Zealand ramps up plan to purge all pests

10/7/2019

"Wake up in paradise" is New Zealand's proud boast. It has a rightful swagger: its turquoise glacial lakes are ringed by untouched mountain ranges, while historic Māori sites speak of a people at one with the natural world.

But there are stains on the environment. In this corner of the South Pacific, waterways are increasingly polluted and, from the suburbs to the alpine peaks, an untold army of feral pests is running amok, putting about 80% of New Zealand's bird species at the risk of extinction.

Pest cull aimed at possums

5/7/2019

A pest-culling operation on 12,500ha north of Dunedin is aimed at decimating the possum population by poisoning and trapping.

Ospri has sent pamphlets to residents in the area informing them of the next stages of its work over the next two years.

Tongariro aerial 1080 operation aims to eradicate TB

5/7/2019

Whio, kereru, kiwi and New Zealand native bats will benefit from an aerial 1080 operation needed to eradicate bovine TB in the Ruapehu District.

The operation, over about 35,000ha, will take place at a time around late July when fine weather is predicted, OSPRI operations extension officer Phillip Dawson said.

Local bird extinctions possible in mega mast 'crisis' unless more 1080 funding

2/7/2019

Birds and bats could be threatened with local extinction if the Department of Conservation (DOC) cannot make more aerial 1080 drops this mega-mast season.

Forest and Bird warns a plague of rats sweeping unchecked across parts of the country will be followed by an invasion of stoats by spring.

Plague warning: maps reveal extent of 'mega mast'

1/7/2019

Official maps released today have revealed the vast swathe of New Zealand wilderness under threat from a plague-fuelling "mega mast" - but officials say response plans can't be scaled up.

Forest & Bird is warning a nationwide rat plague is only about to get worse, and has pleaded with the Government and councils to increase their 1080 rat control programmes, before a stoat plague comes next.